Baraboo School District

COMPUTER, NETWORK AND INTERNET ACCEPTABLE USE PROCEDURE

BARABOO SCHOOL BOARD POLICY

363.2-Rule

Rights and Responsibilities

Students, staff and guests have the privilege to access the district’s computer network, including Internet, to gather information, do research and improve communication skills through technology for legitimate educational purposes.  Users should keep in mind that when they use the district’s computer system (including E-mail) that their actions and communications may be identified as those of the Baraboo School District. The use of the school district’s technology and access to the Internet is a privilege, not a right.  Users will be held responsible for their actions when using the system.   Users must abide by all local, state and federal laws prohibiting theft, copyright infringement, insertion of viruses into computer systems, vandalism and unlawful and prohibited intrusions.  Unacceptable uses will result in suspension or revocation of user privileges and/or other disciplinary actions.  User activity that may indicate a violation of law could be disclosed to law enforcement or other third parties without prior consent.  Demonstrated intent to violate this policy may be considered the same as an actual policy violation. (i.e. proof that someone was making an attempt to “hack” into the system but was unsuccessful).

No Expectation of Privacy

Communication over district networks is not considered private.  Network supervision and security maintenance may require monitoring of directories, messages, or Internet activity.  Network supervisors may examine communications in order to ascertain compliance with network guidelines for acceptable use. The district reserves the right to access stored records, files, or E-mails in cases where there is reasonable cause to expect wrong-doing or misuse of the system.  These requests will only be carried out under the direction of the superintendent or his/her designee.  The district has software and systems that monitor and record computer usage.  Therefore, the district reserves the right from time to time to review computer activity and analyze usage patterns to assure that the district’s technology resources are devoted to maintaining the highest standards of educational benefit and employee productivity.

CIPA and NCIPA

In accordance with requirements of the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) and the Neighborhood Children’s Internet Protection Act (NCIPA), all equipment connecting to the Internet from any connection located within all district facilities will be blocked or filtered.  The district will make best efforts to prevent users from accessing or transmitting visual depictions of material deemed obscene, child pornography, and any material deemed harmful to minors as those terms are defined in CIPA.  It will also make best efforts to prevent users from accessing or transmitting offensive, disruptive, or harmful data or any “inappropriate matter” as that term is used in the NCIPA.  This includes, but is not limited to, messages, files, or data that contain the following:

1.         Pornographic or erotic images;

2.         Sexual implications;

3.         Racial slurs;

4.         Derogatory gender specific comments;

5.         Information or instructions designed to cause harm to another person, comments that offensively address a person’s age, sexual orientation, beliefs, political beliefs, national origin, or disability;

6.         Any comment which in any way defames, slanders, or libels another person;

7.         Any comment intended to frighten, intimidate, threaten, abuse, annoy, or harass another person;

8.         Data or activities that invade the privacy of another person.

In addition, the district will also make best efforts to prevent unauthorized access to its system and files including “hacking,” and unauthorized disclosure, use, or dissemination of personal identification information of minors.  The district acknowledges that no blocking or filtering mechanism is capable of stopping all inappropriate content all of the time.  The best filtering system is good staff supervision of student computer use.

It is the responsibility of the staff to make best efforts to guide and to monitor students in effective and appropriate use of the district’s computer system including the Internet. 

As part of its Internet safety policy, the school district will educate minors about appropriate online behavior, including interacting with other individuals on social networking websites and in chat rooms and cyber-bullying awareness and response.

Copyright

Users are prohibited from unauthorized posting and copying of protected material consistent with the board's copyright policy.

Educational computer software programs offer great learning benefits to students.  To use software responsibly and legally, staff must follow these rules.

1.         Register Computer software.  Staff members must register all software including software downloaded from the Internet that they use in class or on district computers with the technology services office.  Staff members must provide the title, the manufacturer, and the license number of the software.

2.         Software may not be copied without permission.  In general, staff members may not make copies of computer software without the permission of the copyright holder.  Purchased computer software may not be used as a “master” to make copies.  Computer software may be legally copied only if making a copy as an essential step in using the software or the new copy is a backup.  Backups may not be used if the original is available.  When purchasing software, it is important to read and follow the license agreement. 

3.         Software cannot be downloaded without permission  Staff members may not download any software or programs off the Internet without permission from the Instructional Technology Director.  Free distributions of software on the Internet may not be authorized by the manufacturer, and the software may contain computer viruses that can spread through our district network.

4.         Penalties and enforcement:  Staff members and the district could face fines and criminal penalties for violating federal copyright law.  The district will monitor software downloaded on district computers through periodic visual or software inventory scan programs.

Guidelines

The purpose of the Baraboo School District computer network is to allow users to take part in the widest form of information access available.  All are expected to exercise responsible behavior when using the network and only use computers for educational material appropriate to a school setting.

1.    Unacceptable Use of Equipment/Networks/Internet/E-Mail:  The following are unacceptable uses of district technology equipment and connections by staff members and students who access the network through school accounts using school-owned equipment, and may result in the revocation of use.  Unacceptable use includes, but is not limited to:

a.             Sending or displaying offensive messages or pictures;

b.            Using obscene, harassing, discriminatory or insulting language;

c.             Violating copyright laws;

d.            Trespassing in others’ folders, documents, or files;

e.             Using the network for personal financial gain, commercial or political purposes;

f.              Using the network to access inappropriate materials;

g.             Intentionally damaging computers, computer systems, or computer networks;

h.             Disrupting the use of the network by others, revealing your password, using another person’s password, using another user name, or changing anything on the network that does not belong to you;

i.               Disclosing, using or disseminating personal identification information regarding minors;

j.              Misrepresenting your name or falsifying a name or using someone else’s name;

k.            Making your password or another person's password or access code known to others, attempting to evade, disable or "crack" passwords and other security provisions or assisting others in doing so, or using resources signed on by other people;

l.               Gambling;

m.           Using the Internet to obtain information on how to violate the law (i.e. manufacture drugs, manufacture weapons or explosives, commit fraud or acts of sabotage);

n.             Playing games, or using the resources for non-academic purposes, except with express permission of district staff;

o.            Loading unauthorized material transmitting by a school Internet connection;

p.            Acting in violation of district policy or regulations, state statutes, or federal laws.

Authorization of Use

All students, staff and guests must have a signed Acceptable Use Policy form on file before they are allowed to use the Internet independently.  Teachers may demonstrate use of the Internet in the classroom, but must make sure that students have the form signed by their parent(s)/guardian(s) before allowing them to use the Internet independently.

   All staff and 6-12 grade students will receive an annual notice reminding them of these policies.  Users are responsible to review any policy revisions or updates annually. For staff, occasional personal use of the Internet and the district E-mail system is permitted, but may not interfere with the user’s responsibilities or violate any part of this agreement.

Violations/Consequences 

Depending on the severity of the violation, individuals may be denied access to the district’s computer network for any length of time and/or other forms of restitution.  Repeated violation will be dealt with in a progressively more severe manner, including compensation for necessary network and/or computer restoration work by technicians.  Any violation of federal, state or local laws will be in addition to district disciplinary action and will follow legal requirements as established by statute.

Student Sanctions:

First Offense: Loss of Network Privileges for nine school weeks and the appropriate school disciplinary action. (This may also include compensatory damages or referral to law enforcement.)

Second Offense: Loss of Network Privileges for eighteen school weeks and the appropriate school disciplinary action. (This may also include compensatory damages or referral to law enforcement.)

Third Offense: Loss of Network Privileges indefinitely and the appropriate school disciplinary action. (This may also include compensatory damages or referral to law enforcement.)

Note: Administration reserves the right to advance any offense that seriously breaches the security of the network to the second or third step in this process.