ACCEPTABLE USE OF COMPUTER

Somerset Hills School District

Guidelines for Responsible Computing - Acceptable Use Policy

The Board recognizes that telecommunications and other new technologies will shift the manner in which information is accessed, communicated, and transferred. These new technologies will alter the nature of teaching and learning. Access to telecommunications will allow pupils and employees to explore databases, libraries, Internet sites, bulletin boards and the like while exchanging information with individuals throughout the world. The Board supports access by pupils and employees to these information sources and the potential they have to enhance students’ educational experiences, but it reserves the right to limit in-school use to materials appropriate to educational purposes.

The Board also recognizes that telecommunications will allow pupils access to information sources that have not been pre-screened by educators using Board approved standards. While the Board will make its best efforts to monitor use of school computer networks/computers, the Board cannot monitor users at all times and cannot guarantee that users will not access inappropriate materials. The Board therefore adopts the following standards of conduct for the use of computer network/computers, including electronic mail communications, and declares unethical, unacceptable and illegal behavior in violation of these standards, and said behavior will serve as just cause for taking disciplinary action, limiting or revoking network access privileges, and/or instituting legal action.

The Board provides access to computer network/computers for educational purposes only, and, for employees, for purposes related to job performance. The Board retains the right to restrict or to terminate access to the computer network/computers at any time, for any reason. The Board retains the right to have district personnel monitor network activity, in any form necessary, to maintain the integrity of the network and to ensure its proper use.

Definitions

For the purposes of this policy, the following definitions shall apply:

1. Computer Network/Computers consist of any school managed or owned computer equipment or systems, including, but not limited to, networks, hard drives, servers, peripherals, printers, networking systems, devices, modems, all electronic documents, video, voice and data networks, routers, storage devices, and classrooms equipped with such. Computer Network/Computers shall also include electronic communications which shall be defined as and include the use of information systems in the communicating, posting, or obtaining of information or materials by way of electronic mail, bulletin boards, Internet, or other such electronic tools.

2. User is any individual, with or without authorization, who utilizes the District’s computing system from any location.

It is understood that computer networked services are provided exclusively for educational purposes. Educational purposes are those that are related to or necessary to prepare for or to complete lessons or classroom assignments, and, for employees, those purposes related to job performance. Users will adhere to the standard of conduct required in the classroom and will follow the regulations posted in the computer lab. Users are prohibited from engaging in the following conduct and shall be subject to discipline and/or legal action for such conduct:

1. Using the computer network/computers for illegal activities or in support of illegal activities. Illegal activities are defined as activities which violate federal, state, and local laws or regulations.

2. Using the computer network/computers in a way that violates existing District policy.

3. Using the computer network/computers for obscene purposes or to obtain or transmit obscene materials. Obscene materials are those that appeal to the prurient interest, depict sexual conduct in a patently offensive way, and lack serious literary, artistic, or scientific value.

4. Using the computer network/computers to send or display lewd, indecent, or vulgar speech or materials.

5. Using the computer network/computers to send or display harassing, demeaning, or offensive speech or materials.

6. Using the computer network/computers to engage in activities that could materially or substantially interfere with the operation of the school, the school’s educational mission, or other students’ rights.

7. Using the computer network/computers to violate copyrights, trademarks, an individual’s right of publicity, any form of intellectual property, license agreements, or other contracts.

8. Displaying any personally identifiable information about students including name, address, photographs, social security number, or other personal characteristics that would make the student easily identifiable without obtaining prior parental consent.

b. Degrades or disrupts equipment or system performance. Examples of conduct that degrade or disrupt equipment or system performance include, but are not limited to, the following activities: tying up shared computing resources for excessive game playing or other trivial applications; sending unnecessary or excessive mail or messages; printing of excessive copies of documents, files, images or data; deliberately running grossly inefficient programs when more efficient choices are available; creating, sending, or forwarding electronic chain letters;

c. Uses the computing resources of the school district for political or commercial purposes, financial gain, or fraud;

e. Gains or seeks unauthorized access to files of others or vandalizes the data of another user;

g. Invades the privacy of others. Users will not use the network to obtain private information about others, post private information about another person, or re-post a message that was sent to them privately without permission of the person who sent the message;

j. Engages in other activities that do not advance the educational purposes for which the computer network/computers are provided.

k. Uses outside software without the prior approval of the school’s technology coordinator or system administrator.

Users will be personally charged for any unauthorized costs incurred in their use of the computer network/computers and held responsible for any damages caused by their intentional misuse of the computer network/computer equipment.

Users are required to report any evidence of a violation of these rules to school authorities and employees are expected to ensure to the best of their abilities that students use the computer network/computers in accordance with this policy.

The District will fully cooperate with any local, state or federal agency in any investigation concerning or relating to misuse of the District’s computer network/computers.

Aside from this policy, use of the computer network/computers by students and employees will be governed by the District’s existing policies and, for employees, the existing Collective Bargaining Agreement specifically as it relates to professional conduct.

Any violation of District policy and rules may result in a loss of District-provided access to the Internet. Violations may result in additional disciplinary action, including suspension and expulsion. When applicable, law enforcement agencies will be contacted regarding potential illegal activities. Specifically, individuals violating this policy shall be subject to appropriate discipline which could include, but which is not limited to,

g. For employees, letters of reprimand, increment withholding, loss of employment; and/or

While the Internet offers a variety of opportunities to enhance students’ educational experiences, there are certain risks associated with the Internet created by other users. Students are required to adhere to the following guidelines regarding safety. Any individual who fails to adhere to these guideline will have his/her network privileges revoked.

1. Users are prohibited from disclosing personal information such as addresses, phone numbers, pictures, or the name and location of the school without the permission of a teacher and a parent.

2. Users are obligated to disclose to a teacher or parent any information or electronic messages which make them uncomfortable.

3. Users shall never meet in person with someone they have met online without first receiving permission from a parent. The Board does not condone such meetings and strongly suggests that they do not occur.

4. Users shall report any security problems, such as a gap in system or network security, to a teacher or system administrator.

5. Users shall set a password for their account to protect it from unauthorized use. The password should be difficult to guess and should be changed on a regular basis to assure the continued security of the account. Users should never divulge their passwords and will be held accountable for the consequences of intentionally or negligently disseminating this information.

Individuals should have no expectation of privacy with respect to their files on Board provided computer network/computers. All data stored or transmitted or accessed by users, including E-mail, can and will be monitored by the Administration.

In the event there is an allegation that a student has violated the Acceptable Use Policy, that student will be provided with a written notice of the alleged violation and an opportunity to present an explanation before a District administrator. A hearing will be provided when required by District policy or the applicable statutes and regulations governing discipline of students.

Employee violations of the Acceptable Use Policy will be handled in accordance with District policy and the current Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Because certain works found on the Internet are protected by copyright, trademark, and other forms of intellectual property, employees will either request permission from the owner of the intellectual property rights prior to using any materials obtained on the Internet, or the employee will consult with the administration to determine whether the materials may be used without receiving permission based on certain exceptions to intellectual property rights as set forth in the relevant laws. Teachers will instruct students to adhere to the same guidelines. Users will be held personally liable for any of their own actions that violate another party’s intellectual property rights.

District policies on plagiarism will govern the use of materials accessed through the Internet. Teachers will instruct students as to the definition of plagiarism and the proper method to cite to materials.

The employer retains exclusive rights of ownership of work prepared by an employee within the scope of his or her employment.

The district web site is a “closed forum” for district use only, to be used for the sole purpose of transmitting information to the public.

The Somerset Hills School District makes no warranties of any kind, expressed or implied, for the Internet access it provides. The District will not be responsible for any damage users suffer including, but not limited to, loss of data or interruption of service. The District will also not be responsible for the accuracy or quality of the information obtained through or stored on the system. The Board will not be responsible for financial obligations arising from the unauthorized use of the system.

No student or employee shall be allowed to use the District-provided computer network unless they have filed an executed consent form with the principal. Guests to the school must also sign a consent form. Consent forms are available from the main office. Anyone using the system without first executing a consent form will be deemed to have consented to the principles embodied in this policy.