• Computer Network and Internet Acceptable Use
    (Board Policy 6-235)

     

    Scope of Policy

    This Policy and implementing Procedures are intended to serve as a guide to the scope of the District’s authority and the safe and acceptable use of the District’s computers, computer network, and Internet access. This policy governs all use of District computers, the District’s local and/or wide area network, and access to the Internet through District computers or the District’s local and/or wide area network, which will be collectively referred to in this Policy and its implementing Procedures as the District’s “computer network.” For purposes of this Policy and implementing Procedures, use of the District’s “computer network” also shall include any use of computers and/or other devices outside the District’s computer network in those instances where those computers and/or other devices are used to access the District’s computer network.

    Additionally, use of the District’s “computer network” shall include use of other electronic communication devices owned and/or issued by the District or used to access the District’s computer network, including, but not limited to cellular or mobile phones, smartphones, and text messaging devices.

  • Acceptable Use

    Use of the District’s computer network must be: (1) for educational or research purposes consistent with the District’s educational mission (2) for legitimate business purposes; or (3) occasional and incidental personal use, provided such use complies with this Policy, its implementing Procedures, and other terms and conditions of computer network access promulgated by the Board of Education or Superintendent. The District’s computer network is not intended to be used as a public forum for general use. Users of the District’s computer network have no expectation of privacy with respect to electronic communications or files created on, or sent to, or via the District’s computer network.

  • Internet Safety

    The Superintendent or designee is authorized to implement this Policy and its Procedures. The Superintendent also may promulgate additional procedures and other terms and conditions of computer network use as may be necessary to ensure the safe, proper, and efficient operation of the computer network and the individual District schools. The Superintendent or designees shall include measures in this policy’s implementation plan to address the following:

    1. Ensure staff supervision of student access to online electronic networks,
    2. Restrict student access to inappropriate matter as well as restricting access to harmful materials,
    3. Ensure student and staff privacy, safety, and security when using electronic communications,
    4. Restrict unauthorized access, including “hacking” and other unlawful activities, and
    5. Restrict unauthorized disclosure, use, and dissemination of personal identification information, such as names and addresses.

    ∙ Student Authorization for Computer Network Access

    ∙ Non-Student Authorization for Computer Network Access

    ∙ Student Computer Network Access [if applicable]

    ∙ Parental Authorization for Student’s Computer Network Access [if applicable]

     

    Misuse of computer hardware, modification or illegal copying of software belonging to District #113 will result in consequences such as, but not limited to, detention, suspension or expulsion. Students may not knowingly access computers or computer programs without authorization and may not exceed authorized network limits.

    Students may not download materials from other sources without staff permission.

    ∙ Students can ask to gain access to restricted Internet sites and will be asked to demonstrate a curriculum-based need to do so.

    ∙ Students shall report inappropriate websites that they discover while using school computers.

    ∙ Students shall report any knowledge of misuse of district computers, including hardware and software.

  • Access to Electronic Networking

    Access to the computer network is a privilege, not a right. The Board has a duty to ensure that the manner in which the computer network is used does not conflict with the basic educational mission of the District. Use of the District’s computer network may be restricted in light of the maturity level of students involved and the special characteristics of the school environment. Therefore, the District shall not permit use of the computer network which: (a) disrupts the proper and orderly operation and discipline of the schools in the District; (b) threatens the integrity or efficient operation of the District’s computer network; (c) violates the rights of others; (d) is socially inappropriate or inappropriate for a student’s age or maturity level; (e) is intended as an immediate solicitation of funds, unless approved by the Superintendent or designee for school-related purposes; (f) violates federal, state, or local law, including but not limited to copyright laws; or (g) constitutes gross disobedience or misconduct. The District also shall implement technology protection measures consistent with the Children’s Internet Protection Act and its implementing regulations.

    The School District is not responsible for any information that may be lost or damaged, or become unavailable when using the network, or for any information that is retrieved or transmitted via the Internet. Furthermore, the District will not be responsible for any unauthorized charges or fees resulting from access to the Internet.