Policy #197-2  ACCEPTABLE USE FOR TECHNOLOGY RESOURCES

A.    Availability of Access

  1.   Access to the District's electronic communications system, including the Internet, shall be made available to students and employees for instructional and administrative purposes and in accordance with administrative regulations.
  2.   Access to the District's electronic communications system is a privilege, not a right. All users shall be required to acknowledge receipt and understanding of all administrative regulations governing use of the system and shall agree in writing to comply with such regulations and guidelines.  The individual in whose name a system account is issued will be responsible at all times for its proper use.  Non-compliance with applicable regulations may result in suspension or termination of privileges and other disciplinary action consistent with District policies. Violations of law may result in disciplinary action by the District and possibly, criminal prosecution.

B.    Acceptable Use

  1.   The Superintendent or designee shall develop and implement administrative regulations, guidelines, and user agreements, consistent with federal intellectual property laws and the purposes and mission of the District.
  2.   The District's technology resources will be used only for learning, teaching and administrative purposes consistent with the District's mission and goals.
  3.   The District shall train all interested users in the appropriate use of the system and shall make copies of acceptable use guidelines available to all users.
  4.   It shall be a violation of District policy for any student or employee to use the District’s electronic communications:

a.   For commercial use or financial gain;
b.   To connect software or external data without permission from the Superintendent or designee;
c.   For illegal purposes, in support of illegal activities, or for any other activity prohibited by District policy or guidelines;
d.   In the case of an employee, without permission of the Superintendent or designee;
e.   To log on to a computer or e-mail system by using another’s password, or assist others to do so;
f.    To send anonymous messages, of any kind;
g.   To submit, publish or display any defamatory, inaccurate, racially offensive, abusive, obscene, profane, sexually oriented, or threatening materials or messages, whether public or private;
h.   To attempt to harm or disable any equipment, materials, or data;
i.    To knowingly place a computer virus on a District computer or otherwise damage the District’s electronic communications system;
j.    To use the District’s electronic communications system to provide addresses or other personal information that others may use inappropriately;
k.   To access information resources, files, documents, or account of another user without authorization;
l.    To encrypt electronic communications so as to avoid security review by system administrators;
m.  To use or redistribute copyrighted programs or data, except with the written permission of the copyright holder or designee in accordance with applicable copyright laws, District policy, and administrative regulations; or
n.   To purge electronic mail and data files contrary to established retention guidelines.

C.    Student Users
Student users must adhere to the standards applicable to all users, listed above, as well as the following:
  1.   Students may not distribute personal information about themselves by means of the electronic communications system. This includes, but is not limited to, personal addresses, telephone numbers and social security numbers;
  2.   Students should never make appointments to meet people whom they met on-line, and should report to a teacher or administrator, if they receive any request for such a meeting; and
  3.   Students may not use the electronic communications system without the supervision and permission of a staff member.

D.    Internet Safety
The Superintendent or designee shall develop and implement an Internet safety plan that, to the extent possible:
  1.   Controls students' access to inappropriate materials, as well as to materials that are harmful to minors;
  2.   Ensures student safety and security when using electronic communications;
  3.   Prevents unauthorized access, including hacking and other unlawful activities; and
  4.   Restricts unauthorized disclosure, use, and dissemination of personally identifiable information regarding students.

E.    Filtering

  1.   The District must, as a prerequisite to receiving universal service discount rates, implement certain Internet safety measures, and submit certification to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
  2.   Each District computer with Internet access shall have a filtering device, service, or software that clocks access to visual depictions that are obscene, pornographic, inappropriate for students, or harmful to minors, as defined by the Children's Internet Protection Act and as determined by the Superintendent or designee.  3.   The Superintendent or designee shall enforce the use of such filtering devices. Upon approval from the Superintendent or designee, an administrator, supervisor, or other authorized person, may disable the filtering device for bona-fide research or other lawful purpose.

F.    Monitored Use
Electronic mail transmissions and other use of the electronic communications system by students and employees shall not be considered confidential. Such use may be monitored at any time by District staff, as approved by the Superintendent or designee, to ensure appropriate use for educational or administrative purposes.

G.    Intellectual Property Rights
As agents of the District, employees shall have limited rights to work they create using the District's electronic communications system.  The District shall retain the right to use any product created in the scope of a person's employment, even when the author is no longer an employee of the District.

H.    Publication of Student Work on the Internet
Student work published on the internet will only be identified with the student’s first and last initials, and no other personally identifiable information.

I.      Termination/Revocation of System User Account
The District may suspend or revoke any system user's access to the District's system upon violation of District policy and/or administrative regulations regarding acceptable use.

J.     Consequences of Improper Use
Improper or unethical use may result in disciplinary actions consistent with District policy and, if appropriate, other state and federal laws.  This may also require restitution for costs associated with system restoration, hardware, or software costs.

K.    Disclaimer of Liability
The District shall not be liable for users' inappropriate use of electronic communication resources or violations of copyright restrictions, users' mistakes or negligence, or costs incurred by users.  The District shall not be responsible for ensuring the accuracy, age appropriateness, or usability of any information found on electronic resources, including the Internet.

Reference:      N.J.S.A.2A:38A-1 et seq.; N.J.S.A.2C:20-25; N.J.S.A.18A:36-35; 17 U.S.C.§101; 47 U.S.C. § 254(h); N.J. v. T.L.O, 469 U.S. 325 (1985); O'Connor v. Ortega, 480 U.S. 709 (1987)

Date Adopted:      8/16/07