4118.5(a)
4218.5
Personnel - Certified-Non-Certified
Rights,
Responsibilities and Duties
Acceptable
Computer Network Use
The Board of Education provides computers,
networks and Internet access to support the educational mission of the schools
and to enhance the curriculum and learning opportunities for students and
school staff.
Employees are to utilize the school unit's
computers, networks and Internet services for school‑related purposes and
performance of job duties. Incidental personal use of school computers is
permitted as long as such use does not interfere with the employee's job duties
and performance, with system operations or other system users. “Incidental
personal use” is defined as use by an individual employee for occasional
personal communications. Employees are reminded that such personal use must
comply with this policy and all other applicable policies, procedures and
rules.
Any employee who violates this policy and/or
any rules governing use of the school unit’s computers will be subject to
disciplinary action, up to and including discharge. Illegal uses of the school
unit’s computers will also result in referral to law enforcement authorities.
All District computers remain under the
control, custody and supervision of the school unit. The school unit reserves
the right to monitor all computer and Internet activity by employees. Employees
have no expectation of privacy in their use of school computers.
Each employee authorized to access the
school unit’s computers, networks and Internet services is required to sign an
acknowledgment form stating that they have read this policy and the
accompanying regulations. The acknowledgment form will be retained in the
employee’s personnel file.
The Superintendent or his/her designee shall
be responsible for overseeing the implementation of this policy and the
accompanying rules and for advising the Board of the need for any future
amendments or revisions to the policy/regulations. The Superintendent or
his/her designee may develop additional administrative procedures/rules
governing the day-to-day management and operations of the school unit’s
computer system as long as they are consistent with the Board’s policy/rules.
The Superintendent may delegate specific responsibilities to building principals
and others as he/she deems appropriate.
(cf. 6141.321 - Student Use of the Internet)
(cf. 6141.322 - Web Sites/Pages)
4118.5(b)
4218.5
Personnel - Certified-Non-Certified
Rights,
Responsibilities and Duties
Acceptable
Computer Network Use (continued)
Legal References: Connecticut
General Statutes
The
Freedom of Information Act
53A-182B Harassment in the first degree.
P.A. 98-142 An Act Requiring Notice to
Employees of Electronic Monitoring by Employers.
Policy adopted: July
8, 2003 EAST
HADDAM PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Moodus,
Connecticut
4118.5(a)
4218.5
Personnel - Certified-Non-Certified
Rights,
Responsibilities and Duties
Acceptable
Computer Network Use
The intent of these administrative
regulations rules is to provide employees with general requirements for
utilizing the school unit’s computers, networks and Internet services. The
administrative regulations may be supplemented by more specific administrative
procedures and rules governing day‑to‑day management and operation
of the computer system.
These rules provide general guidelines and
examples of prohibited uses for illustrative purposes but do not attempt to
state all required or prohibited activities by users. Employees who have
questions regarding whether a particular activity or use is acceptable should
seek further guidance from the system administrator.
Failure to comply with Board policy
4118.5/4218.5, these regulations and/or other established procedures or rules
governing computer use may result in disciplinary action, up to and including
discharge. Illegal uses of the school unit’s computers will also result in
referral to law enforcement authorities.
A.
Access to School Computers, Networks and Internet Services
The level of access that employees have to
school unit computers, networks and Internet services is based upon specific
employee job requirements and needs.
B.
Acceptable Use
Employee access to the
school unit’s computers, networks and Internet services is provided for
administrative, educational, communication and research purposes consistent
with the school unit’s educational mission, curriculum and instructional goals.
General rules and expectations for professional behavior and communication
apply to use of the school unit’s computers, networks and Internet services.
Employees
are to utilize the school unit’s computers, networks and Internet services for
school‑related purposes and performance of job duties. Incidental
personal use of school computers is permitted as long as such use does not
interfere with the employee’s job duties and performance, with system
operations or other system users. “Incidental personal use” is defined as use
by an individual employee for occasional personal communications. Employees are
reminded that such personal use must comply with this policy and all other
applicable policies, procedures and rules.
4118.5(b)
4218.5
Personnel - Certified-Non-Certified
Rights,
Responsibilities and Duties
Acceptable
Computer Network Use (continued)
C.
Prohibited Use
The employee is responsible for his/her
actions and activities involving school unit computers, networks and Internet
services and for his/her computer files, passwords and accounts. General
examples of unacceptable uses which are expressly prohibited include but are
not limited to the following:
1.
Any use that is illegal or in
violation of other Board policies, including harassing, discriminatory or
threatening communications and behavior, violations of copyright laws, etc.;
2.
Any use involving materials
that are obscene, pornographic, sexually explicit or sexually suggestive;
3.
Any inappropriate
communications with students or minors;
4.
Any use for private financial
gain, or commercial, advertising or solicitation purposes;
5.
Any use as a forum for communicating
by e‑mail or any other medium with other school users or outside parties
to solicit, proselytize, advocate or communicate the views of an individual or
non‑school‑sponsored organization; to solicit membership in or
support of any non‑school‑sponsored organization; or to raise funds
for any non‑school‑sponsored purpose, whether for‑profit or
not‑for‑profit. No employee shall knowingly provide school e‑mail
addresses to outside parties whose intent is to communicate with school
employees, students and/or their families for non‑school purposes.
Employees who are uncertain as to whether particular activities are acceptable
should seek further guidance from the building principal or appropriate
administrator;
6.
Any communication that
represents personal views as those of the school unit or that could be
misinterpreted as such;
7.
Downloading or loading
software or applications without permission from the system administrator;
8 Opening or
forwarding any e-mail attachments (executable files) from unknown sources
and/or that may contain viruses;
9. Sending mass
e-mails to school users or outside parties for school or non-school purposes
without the permission of the system administrator for other designated
administrator;
4118.5(c)
4218.5
Personnel - Certified-Non-Certified
Rights,
Responsibilities and Duties
Acceptable
Computer Network Use (continued)
10. Any malicious use or disruption of the school unit’s
computers, networks and Internet services or breach of security features;
11. Any misuse or damage to the school unit’s computer
equipment;
12. Misuse of the computer passwords or accounts (employee or
other users);
13. Any communications that are in violation of generally
accepted rules of network etiquette and/or professional conduct;
14. Any attempt to access unauthorized sites;
15. Failing to report a known breach of computer security to
the system administrator;
16. Using school
computers, networks and Internet services after such access has been denied or
revoked;
17. Any attempt to delete, erase or otherwise conceal any
information stored on a school computer that violates these rules;
18. Sharing
confidential information on students or employees;
19. Violating any
state or federal laws including copyright; and
20. Promoting, supporting,
or celebrating religion or religious institutions.
D. Staff
Access to Networked Information Resources Procedures
The Network Supervisor will report
inappropriate behaviors to the employee’s supervisor who will take appropriate
disciplinary action. Any other reports of inappropriate behavior, violations,
or complaints will be routed to the employee’s supervisor for appropriate
action. Violations may result in a loss of access and/or disciplinary action.
When applicable, law enforcement agencies may be involved.
Each employee will be given copies
of this policy and procedures and will sign an acceptable use agreement.
4118.5(d)
4218.5
Personnel -
Certified-Non-Certified
Rights, Responsibilities and Duties
Acceptable Computer Network Use (continued)
E. Software
Usage
Only
software obtained by the district for use on school computers and networks will
be allowed to be instilled and/or used on school computers and networks. The
use of software “brought from home” or from sources outside the school by staff
or students is not permitted. Exceptions must have a compelling instructional
or administrative reason.
Exceptions
may be made by administrators on a case-by-case basis. If an exception is made,
it should be done in written form detailing the reasons for the exception and
the time period the exception is to last. The exception should be kept on file
with the district technology coordinator. In granting an exception, the
administrator should work in conjunction with district technology staff. The
request for exception should not violate other guiding district policies and
administrative regulations such as, but not limited to, the selection of
instructional materials, copyright, and limitations of school district
liability.
In
general, only hardware and peripherals obtained by the district for use on
school computers and networks will be allowed to be installed and/or used on
school computers and networks. The use of hardware and peripherals “brought
from home” by staff or students is to be an exception to this guidance and
should have a compelling instructional or administrative reason.
Exceptions
may be made by building or district administrators on a case-by-case basis. If
an exception is made, it should be done in written form detailing the reasons
for the exception and the time period the exception is to last. The exception
should be kept on file in the building office and with the district technology
coordinator. In granting an exception the administrator should work in
conjunction with district technology staff. The request for exception should
not violate other guiding district policies and administrative regulations such
as, but not limited to, limitations of school district liability for use of
personal equipment.
Regulation approved: July 8, 2003 EAST HADDAM PUBLIC
SCHOOLS
Moodus,
Connecticut
4118.5
4218.5
Form
EAST HADDAM PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Moodus, Connecticut
Employee
Computer and Internet Use
Acknowledgment
Form
No employee shall be allowed to use school
computers or the Internet until he/she has signed and returned this
acknowledgment.
I have read policy 4118.4 – Electronic Mail,
policy 4118.5/4218.5 ‑ Acceptable Computer Network Use and its
Administrative Regulations ‑ Acceptable Computer Network Use and
understand their terms and conditions.
________________________________________________ __________________
Employee’s Signature Date