PERSONNEL
404.4R2
ACCEPTABLE USE OF TECHNOLOGY AND ON-LINE RESOURCES REGULATION
I. Responsibility for Appropriate Use of Technology Resources
- The School Board is legally responsible for all matters relating to the operation of the WACO Community School District.
- The authority for appropriate use of technology and on-line resources is delegated to school administrators and staff employed by the school district.
- Training in the proper use of technology and on-line resources may be provided to employees as appropriate.
- All employees will practice appropriate use of the technology and on-line resources. Violations of appropriate use will result in disciplinary action.
II. Technology and On-Line Access
A. For the purpose of this policy, technology and on-line resources are defined to include the following:
· Electronic hardware and software including, but not limited to, computers, keyboards, monitors, disk drives, CD-ROMS, printers, scanners, projectors, digital cameras, related peripherals and all computer programs and data stored on disk drives and CD-ROMS.
· Local and Wide Area Networks including network cards, cables, routers, switches, file servers, and the network administration and management software.
· Internet is a collection of interconnected computer networks involving millions of computers and tens of millions of users around the world. It is a collaboration of private, public, educational, commercial, governmental and industrial sponsored networks whose operators cooperate to maintain the network infrastructure.
B. Access to technology and on-line resources will be made available to employees as appropriate for their assignment.
C. Employees will be able to access technology and on-line resources through the school account. An Internet account will give access to the World Wide Web.
1. Making technology and on-line resource access available carries with it the potential that some might encounter information that may not be appropriate. However, on a global network, it is impossible to control all materials. Because on-line information appears, disappears, and changes, it is not possible to predict or control what users may locate.
2. It is a goal to allow employees access to the rich learning opportunities using technology and on-line resources.
3. If an employee has a legitimate need to access a site blocked by the Internet filtering system, the employee should contact the technology coordinator or principal for procedures to by-pass the filtering system.
4. The smooth operation of the network relies upon the proper conduct of the end users who must adhere to strict guidelines requiring efficient, ethical, and legal utilization of network resources.
5. Transmission of material, information or software in violation of any district, local, state or federal law is prohibited.
III. Employee Use of Technology and On-Line Resources
A. Equal Opportunity
1. Technology and on-line resources shall be available to employees as appropriate for their assignment. The amount of time available to employees may be limited by the number of available computers and the demand for use.
2. Technology and on-line resource applications which are available to individuals having a technology and on-line resource account are shared by everyone using the network. It is important to follow proper procedures to insure the smooth operation of the network for everyone using it.
B. Technology and On-line Etiquette
1. The use of technology and on-line resources is a privilege. As users of technology and on-line resources employees may be allowed access to other networks. Each network may have its own set of policies and procedures. It is the user's responsibility to abide by the policies and procedures of these other networks.
2. Employees should adhere to technology and on-line protocol:
a. Respect all copyright and license agreements.
b. Only remain on-line long enough to get needed information.
c. Apply the same privacy, ethical, and educational considerations utilized in other forms of communication.
d. Be polite to others.
e. Use appropriate language.
3. Employee access for electronic mail will be through a district account. Remember that e-mail is not private; never send private or confidential material. Employees must adhere to the following electronic mail guidelines:
a. Read and download or delete e-mail on a regular basis.
b. Use of vulgar and/or abusive language is prohibited.
C. Unacceptable Use of Technology and On-Line Resources
The transmission of any material in violation of district policies and regulations or federal or state law or regulation is prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to, unauthorized use of copyrighted material, threatening, violent or obscene material, or material protected by trade secret.
The list of prohibited activities includes, but is not limited to:
· Using the technology resources for commercial purposes, product advertisement, unauthorized chat room or illegal chain letter communication.
· Intentionally attempting to download, or upload any unauthorized software, text files, pictures, graphic files, sound files, or video files. If such inappropriate information is accessed unintentionally, the employee must immediately report such unintentional access to the building principal or superintendent in order to avoid being found in violation of this regulation.
· Engaging in any form of communication that advocates violence, racism, anarchy, treason, discrimination or contains pornographic obscene, or sexually explicit material.
· Network activities that use excessive resources in ways that prevent others from accessing the network.
· Writing to system accounts other than the one assigned by the network administrator.
· Downloading or accessing information that encourages the use of tobacco, alcohol, or controlled substances, use of bombs or bomb making, or otherwise promotes any activity prohibited by district policy, state, or federal law.
· Forging or attempting to forge electronic messages including attempts to read, delete, copy, or modify the electronic messages of other system users. Local, state, or federal laws may apply.
Acts of vandalism are prohibited. Vandalism includes, but is not limited to, any attempt to harm or destroy data of another user, to intercept, copy, distribute, decrypt, or use the login names and/or passwords of others, to attempt to secure a higher level of network privilege, to damage hardware or software, to alter the normal performance of hardware or software, or to interrupt the smooth operation of the network. This includes the downloading or installation of computer viruses, applications intended to disrupt the operation of the network system, unauthorized use of another's computer, account passwords, and/or files. Acts of vandalism may result in discipline up to and including suspension, termination, or the filing of criminal charges.
The district will cooperate with any investigation concerning or relating to the misuse of the district's technology resources.
D. Unauthorized Costs
If an employee gains access to any service via technology and on-line resources which has a cost involved, the WACO Community School District will not be responsible for those costs. The employee will be responsible for those costs.
IV. Employee Violations; Consequences and Notifications:
Employees who attempt to access and/or download inappropriate/objectionable items, send messages with vulgar/abusive language while using technology and on-line resources, violate any federal or state law or regulation, violate any of the policies or regulations of the school shall be subject to disciplinary consequences up to and including suspension without pay or dismissal. If a criminal investigation is initiated, the district will cooperate fully with law enforcement officials.
Approved: 6/10/2002
Reviewed: 10/29/2020
Revised: