district Legal Networking

Transcription

1 COMPUTER NETWORK FOR EDUCATION REGULATION 4526-R The following rules and regulations govern the use of the district's computer network system and access to the Internet. I. Administration The Superintendent of Schools shall designate a Technology Coordinator to oversee the district's computer network. The Technology Coordinator shall be responsible for monitoring and examining all network activities, as appropriate, to ensure proper use of the system. The Technology Coordinator shall be responsible for disseminating and interpreting district policy and regulations governing use of the district's network at the building level with all network users. The Technology Coordinator shall provide employee training for proper use of the network and will ensure that staff supervising students using the district's network provide similar training to their students, including providing copies of district policy and regulations governing use of the district's network. The Technology Coordinator shall ensure that all disks and software loaded onto the computer network have been scanned for computer viruses. All student agreements to abide by district policy and regulations and parental consent forms shall be kept on file in the student s permanent record. II. Internet Access In compliance with The Children s Internet Protection Act (CIPA), the City School District of Albany has taken the following reasonable precautions to restrict access to inappropriate materials. a) A filter has been installed for the district's Internet access. While not 100% effective, this filter will block sites with offensive material. b) Students will participate in a grade appropriate Internet orientation, provided by the City School District of Albany, pertaining to the acceptable use of the Internet including appropriate online behavior, specifically interacting with other individuals on social networking websites and in chat rooms and cyberbullying awareness and response. c) Adequate supervision will be provided to students in the school setting to prevent unauthorized access to the Internet. d) All students using the Internet must sign the CSDA Student Internet Acceptable Use Agreement. A parent/guardian must also sign the Acceptable Use Agreement. Acceptable Use Agreements for students will be completed in each grade K-5 and again in, 6th, and 9 th grades. K-5 AUP's will be on file with the classroom teacher will be kept in the students permanent record. e) Students in grades K-5 may only view teacher selected bookmarked sites. f) Students in grades 6-12 may use the Internet during teacher supervised instruction or using a teacher bookmarked site. g) Staff development opportunities will be provided so that the district personnel are proficient in using the Internet for instructional purposes and are aware of the issues related to child safety. 1

2 III. Internet Filtering Review Procedures The CIPA mandates that schools adopt both an Internet Safety Policy and a technology protection measure for computers in Internet access. This requirement is for school Districts that receive funding through Title III or the Elementary & Secondary Act, of the Library Services & Technology Act. Districts are free to choose any filtering or blocking technology, but the act does specify whose access must be filtered and which types of materials must be blocked. To address Internet sites that are blocked through the District filtering system, the following protocols are established. All questions or complaints concerning the appropriateness of specific Internet sites should be addressed to the Technology Coordinator. If it is deemed by that office that a building decision needs to be made, a building team consisting of a teacher, librarian, supervisor, and/or principal should evaluate the site within two school days using the following guidelines: a. listening to and clarifying the objection b. examining the Internet site c. Verbally explaining the reasons why the Internet site was selected Criteria for the building decision should be based on local standards, and comply with the District Acceptable Use Policy. If the staff member is not satisfied with the decision, he/she may file a Request for Reevaluation of an Internet Site with the Superintendent, department supervisor, and teacher and/or librarian. The Chief Information Officer will convene an ad hoc Internet Filtering Site Review Committee that will meet to review the complaint and make recommendations. The committee will consist of: a. Chief Information Officer (Chair) b. Principal of school involved c. Appropriate supervisor d. Three faculty members, at least one from the curriculum area elated to the challenged Internet site, selected from a standing committee of teachers willing to serve e. Parent member from building PTA/PTO The staff member personally involved in the complaint may not participate on the review team. However, (s)he will be asked to provide input/background on the challenged Internet site. The Internet Site Review Committee is charged with the responsibility of viewing the challenged site; checking the general acceptance of the site s contents; weighing the strengths and weaknesses of the site in question; and judging the Internet site on its conformity to the criteria stated above. The committee shall report its findings and make a recommendation to the Superintendent not later than 15 school days after receipt of the Request for Reevaluation. All concerned parties will be notified in writing within five school days of the Superintendent s final disposition of the matter, together with a rationale supporting the decision. Should the decision be unacceptable to the parties involved, an appeal to the Board of Education may be lodged with the Clerk of the Board within 10 days of the decision. IV. Acceptable Use and Conduct Access to the district's computer network is provided solely for educational purposes and research consistent with the district's mission and goals. Use of the district s computer network is a privilege, not a right. Inappropriate use may result in the suspension or revocation of that privilege. 2

3 4526R Each individual in whose name an access account is issued is responsible at all times for its proper use. All network users will be issued a login name and password. All network users are expected to abide by the generally accepted rules of network etiquette. This includes being polite and using only appropriate language. Abusive language, vulgarities and swear words are all inappropriate. Network users identifying a security problem on the district's network must notify the appropriate teacher, administrator or Technology Coordinator. Under no circumstance should the user demonstrate the problem to anyone other than to the district official or employee being notified. Any network user identified as a security risk or having a history of violations of district computer use guidelines may be denied access to the district's network. IV. Prohibited Activity and Uses The following is a list of prohibited activity concerning use of the district's computer network. Violation of any of these prohibitions may result in discipline or other appropriate penalty, including suspension or revocation of a user's access to the network. Using the network for commercial activity, including advertising. Infringing on any copyrights or other intellectual property rights, including copying, installing, receiving, transmitting or making available any copyrighted software on the district computer network. Using the network to receive, transmit or make available to others obscene, offensive, or sexually explicit material. Using the network to receive, transmit or make available to others messages that are racist, sexist, abusive, or harassing to others. Using another user s account or password. Attempting to read, delete, copy or modify the electronic mail ( ) of other system users and deliberately interfering with the ability of other system users to send and/or receive . Forging or attempting to forge messages. Engaging in vandalism. Vandalism is defined as any malicious attempt to harm or destroy district equipment or materials, data of another user of the district s network or of any of the entities or other networks that are connected to the Internet. This includes, but is not limited to, creating and/or placing a computer virus on the network. Using the network to send anonymous messages or files. Using the network to receive, transmit or make available to others a message that is inconsistent with the district s Code of Conduct. Revealing the personal address, telephone number or other personal information of oneself or another person. Using the network for sending and/or receiving personal messages. Intentionally disrupting network traffic or crashing the network and connected systems. Installing personal software or using personal disks on the district s computers and/or network without the permission of the appropriate district official or employee. Using district computing resources for commercial or financial gain or fraud. 3

4 Stealing data, equipment or intellectual property. Gaining or seeking to gain unauthorized access to any files, resources, or computer or phone systems, or vandalize the data of another user. Wastefully using finite district resources. Changing or exceeding resource quotas as set by the district without the permission of the appropriate district official or employee. Using the network while access privileges are suspended or revoked. Using the network in a fashion inconsistent with directions from teachers and other staff and generally accepted network etiquette. V. No Privacy Guarantee Students and employees using the district s computer network should not expect, nor does the district guarantee privacy for electronic mail ( ) or any use of the district s computer network. The district reserves the right to access and view any material stored on district equipment or any material used in conjunction with the district s computer network. VI. Sanctions All users of the district s computer network and equipment are required to comply with the district s policy and regulations governing the district s computer network. Failure to comply with the policy or regulation may result in disciplinary action as well as suspension and/or revocation of computer access privileges. In addition, illegal activities are strictly prohibited. Any information pertaining to or implicating illegal activity will be reported to the proper authorities. Transmission of any material in violation of any federal, state and/or local law or regulation is prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to materials protected by copyright, threatening or obscene material or material protected by trade secret. Users must respect all intellectual and property rights and laws. VII. District Responsibilities The district makes no warranties of any kind, either expressed or implied, for the access being provided. Further, the district assumes no responsibility for the quality, availability, accuracy, nature or reliability of the service and/or information provided. Users of the district s computer network and the Internet use information at their own risk. Each user is responsible for verifying the integrity and authenticity of the information that is used and provided. The district will not be responsible for any damages suffered by any user, including, but not limited to, loss of data resulting from delays, non-deliveries, mis-deliveries, or service interruptions caused by its own negligence or the errors or omissions of any user. The district also will not be responsible for unauthorized financial obligations resulting from the use of or access to the district s computer network or the Internet. Further, even though the district may use technical or manual means to regulate access and information, these methods do not provide a foolproof means of enforcing the provisions of the district policy and regulation. 4

5 CSDA Computer & Network Acceptable Use Agreement For Students* As a computer user, I agree to follow the rules and code of ethics explained below: I will use the school s computer network for educational purposes only. I will not use anyone else s password or file. I will not participate in any form of cyber bullying. I will not view, send, or display offensive messages or pictures. I will not attempt to bypass the District s filtering or desktop protection software. I will not attempt to gain unauthorized access to programs or to the network. I will not make unauthorized copies of software found on school computers as I recognize that software is protected by copyright law. PRIVACY RIGHTS All data files and electronic storage areas shall remain District property, subject to District control and inspection. Students should NOT expect that information stored or accessed through the District network will be private. Student Agreement Form I have read, discussed and understand the City School District of Albany s Rules for Computer Users, and I agree to abide by these guidelines. Furthermore, I understand that violations of these Rules will be dealt with seriously according to the school s discipline policies and that violators use of computers will be restricted or terminated. Printed name: Student Signature: Parent Signature: Date: *This form must be signed by all new students to the District. Additionally, this form must be renewed when students are in 6 th and 9 th grades. 5

6 CSDA EMPLOYEE COMPUTER & NETWORK ACCEPTABLE USE AGREEMENT* The Board of Education is committed to optimizing student learning and teaching. The Board considers student access to a computer network, including the Internet, to be a powerful and valuable educational and research tool, and encourages the use of computers and computerrelated technology in district classroom solely for the purpose of advancing and promoting learning and teaching. Prohibited activities concerning use of the network by all employees: 1) Using the network for commercial purposes, financial gain, personal business, product advertisements, political lobbying, shopping, or gambling. 2) Infringing on copyrights or other intellectual property rights, including copying, installing, receiving, transmitting, or making available any copyrighted software on the district computer network. 3) Using the network to receive, transmit, or make available to others obscene, offensive, or sexually explicit material. 4) Using the network to receive, transmit or make available to others messages that are racist, sexist, abusive, obscene or harassing to others. 5) Using another person s account or password. 6) Attempting to read, delete, copy or modify the of other employees and deliberately interfering with the ability of other employees to send and/or receive . 7) Using the network for spamming or sending anonymous messages or files. 8) Revealing the personal address, telephone number or other personal information of another person. 9) Attempting to bypass the network s filtering or desktop protection programs. VIOLATIONS Employees who engage in unacceptable use of the network may lose access privileges to the network and may be subject to further discipline under the law and in accordance with applicable collective bargaining agreements. PRIVACY RIGHTS All data files and electronic storage areas shall remain District property, subject to District control and inspection. Employees should NOT expect that information stored or accessed through the District network will be private. Computer records, including , are considered records which may be accessible to the public under the provisions of the New York State Freedom of Information Law. I, understand that my activity on the computer network will be monitored, and that I am responsible for following the terms of this agreement. Staff Signature Please Print Name: Date: *This form must be signed by the employee prior to an account being created in their name. This form will be kept in the employee s personnel file. 6

7 SAMPLE---PARENTAL NOTICE ON STUDENT USE OF THE INTERNET Dear Parent or Guardian: The Albany City School District wishes to offer your child access to the Internet, via our educational computer network system. With your permission, your child will have access to various software application, hundreds of databases, libraries and computer services from all over the world through the Internet and other electronic information systems. With this educational opportunity comes responsibility. It is important that you and your child read the enclosed Technology policy and consent and waiver form carefully. You should both understand that failure to comply with the District s policy or regulations might result in suspension and/or revocation of your child s computer and/or Internet access and related privileges, other disciplinary action, as appropriate, and possible legal action. As indicated in the enclosed policy, the District will attempt to discourage access to objectionable material and communications. However in spite of our efforts to establish regulations governing the use of the District s computer network system and student access to the Internet, a variety of inappropriate and offensive materials are available over the Internet, and it may be possible for your child to access these materials inadvertently or if he/she chooses to behave irresponsibly. In addition, it is possible for undesirable or ill-intended individuals to attempt to communicate with your child over the Internet. There is no practical means for the District to prevent this from happening in all instances, and your child must take responsibility to avoid such communications if they are initiated. The above information is included to ensure that your decision regarding your child s access to the Internet is an informed one. You must be the one to decide whether the benefits of your child having access to the Internet outweigh the potential risks. Finally, please contact me if you have any questions about this letter, the enclosed policy or the agreement that is attached. I also invite you to call me if you would like to schedule a time when a member of our staff can show you the computer network system and the Internet and how together they can benefit your child s education. We believe that in order for you to make the best decision for your child, you must have complete and accurate information. If you wish to allow your child access to the Internet, please return the enclosed consent and waiver form to your child s principal. Thank you for your assistance in this matter. Sincerely Approved: Reviewed: Revised: