EMPLOYEE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY USE
School Board Policy
Adopted: December 12, 2000
The Old
Town schools provides computers, networks, Internet access, telephones and
telephone systems to support the educational mission of the schools and to
enhance the curriculum and learning opportunities for students and school staff.
Any employee who violates this policy and/or any rules governing use of the school unit's computers, networks, Internet services and telephone systems 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 Old Town schools’ computers, networks, Internet services and telephone systems remain under the control, custody, and supervision of the school unit. The school unit reserves the right to monitor all computer, Internet and telephone activity by employees. Employees have no expectation of privacy in their use of school technology.
The Superintendent 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/rules. The Superintendent may develop additional administrative procedures/rules governing the day-to-day management and operations of the school unit's technology 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.
EMPLOYEE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY RULES
The intent of these Board-level rules is to provide employees with general requirements for utilizing the school unit's computers, networks, Internet service and telephone systems. The Board rules may be supplemented by more specific administrative procedures and rules governing day-to-day management and operation of the technology.
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 technology coordinator or administrators.
Failure to comply with Board policy, these rules and/or other established procedures or rules governing technology 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, Internet services and telephone systems
The level of access that employees have to school unit computers, networks, Internet services and telephone systems is based upon employee job requirements and needs.
B. Acceptable Use
Employee access to the school unit's computers, networks, Internet services and telephone systems 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 the use of the school unit's computers, network, and Internet services.
C. Prohibited Use
The employee is responsible for his/her actions and activities involving school unit computers, networks, Internet services and telephone systems 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 other 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. Knowingly and with malicious intent 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 non-school purposes;
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, Internet services and telephone systems after such access has been denied or revoked; and
17. Any attempt to delete, erase, or otherwise conceal any information stored on a school computer that violates these rules.
D. No Expectation of Privacy
The school unit retains control, custody and supervision of all computers, networks, Internet services and telephone systems owned, maintained or leased by the school unit. The school unit reserves the right to monitor all computer, Internet activity or telephone activity by employees and other system users. Employees have no expectation of privacy in their use of school computers, including e-mail messages and stored files.
E. Confidentiality of Information
Employees are expected to use appropriate judgment and caution in communications concerning students and staff to ensure that personally identifiable information remains confidential.
F. Staff Responsibilities to Students
Teachers, staff members, and volunteers who utilize school computers for instructional purposes with students have a duty of care to supervise such use. Teachers, staff members, and volunteers are expected to be familiar with the school unit's policies and rules concerning student computer and Internet use and to enforce them. When, in the course of their duties, employees/volunteers become aware of student violations, they are expected to stop the activity and inform the building principal.
G. Compensation for Losses, Costs and/or Damages
The employee shall be responsible for any losses, costs or damages incurred by the school unit related to violations of policy and/or these rules.
H. School Unit Assumes No Responsibility for Unauthorized Charges, Costs or Illegal Use
The school unit assumes no responsibility for any unauthorized charges made by employees including but not limited to credit card charges, subscriptions, long distance telephone charges, equipment and line costs, or any illegal use of its computers such as copyright violations.