IJNDB-R2
Acceptable Use Procedures for Staff
Acceptable Use Procedures for Staff
I. Introduction
The Ashburnham Westminster Regional School District (the “School District”) provides access to technology and electronic resources to support its strategic plans and educational objectives. The access of technology and electronic resources shall be consistent with the purposes listed in the district’s Acceptable Use Policy. It is the responsibility of each user of the district’s computer system / network to know these policies and procedures and to conduct their activities accordingly.
II. General Provisions
All users should be aware of the following provisions:
A. Network and Internet Monitoring
The School District has systems in place that may monitor and record all Internet usage. These security systems are capable of recording each web site visit, chat, newsgroup, e-mail message and file transfer in and out of the district network for each user. The district reserves the right to intermittently monitor Internet traffic and other usage of electronic resources. Users should have no expectation of privacy when browsing the web, sending or receiving e-mail or using other electronic resources.
B. Filtering
In accordance with the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA), passed by the U.S. Legislature in January 2001 (Public Law 106-554), our schools shall employ filtering software to block access to inappropriate content on all computers with Internet access. Our district certifies that a policy of Internet safety and technology protection measures shall be enforced.
The determination of whether material is appropriate or inappropriate is based on the content of the material and the intended use of the material. Users shall not use the district’s computer system / network to access material in violation of the following standards:
Prohibited Material: obscene materials, child pornography, material that appeals to a prurient or unhealthy interest in, or depicts or describes in a patently offensive way, violence, nudity, sex, death or bodily functions, material that has been designated for ‘adults’ only and material that promotes or advocates illegal activities.
Restricted Material: materials that promote or advocate the use of alcohol or tobacco, hate or discrimination, satanic or cult group membership, school cheating and weapons. Sites that contain personal advertisements or facilitate making online connections with other people are restricted.
Limited Access Material: materials that are generally considered to be non-educational, such as games, electronic commerce, jokes, recreation, entertainment, sports and investments.
“Prohibited Material” may not be accessed at any time, for any purpose. “Restricted Material” may not be accessed by elementary and middle school students at any time, for any purpose. “Restricted Materials” that have clear educational relevance, such as material with literary, artistic, political or scientific value will need to be evaluated by a staff member. If approved by a staff member, high school students, in the context of specific learning activities, may access “Restricted Material”. “Limited Access Material” may be accessed in the context of specific learning activities that are directed by a teacher or during periods of time that a school may designate as “open access” time.
Users should be aware that filtering software will not block ALL inappropriate web sites. If inappropriate material is mistakenly accessed, the users should immediately disclose this access to an appropriate staff member.
The School District shall not be held responsible for misuse of material downloaded from any online service, or for inappropriate or sexually explicit material being downloaded through the network.
Procedures for the disabling or otherwise modifying any technology protection measures shall be the responsibility of the Technology Coordinator or designated representatives.
C. Anti Bullying / Cyberbullying
The School District will not tolerate any unlawful or disruptive behavior, including any form of bullying, cyberbullying, or retaliation, in our school buildings, on school grounds, or in school-related activities. Any bullying related incidents are subject to the School District's Anti Bullying Policy and the School District's Bullying Prevention and Intervention Regulations.
III. User Provisions
A. Inappropriate Use
Staff, faculty and administrators shall not:
1. Attempt to gain unauthorized access to the district computer system / network or any other computer system or go beyond your authorized access.
a. Make deliberate attempts to disrupt, degrade or damage the district computer system / network or any other computer system or destroy data by spreading computer viruses or by any other means.
b. Use the district computer system / network to engage in illegal acts, including accessing and / or transmitting material in violation of any U.S. or Commonwealth law, including copyrighted material.
c. Access, download, display, transmit, produce, generate, copy or propagate any material that is obscene or pornographic; advocates illegal acts; contains ethnic slurs or racial epithets; or discriminates on the basis of gender, national origin, sexual orientation, race, color ancestry, religion, handicap or age.
2. Use obscene, profane, lewd, vulgar, rude, inflammatory, threatening or disrespectful language in electronic communications.
3. Engage in personal attacks, including prejudicial or discriminatory attacks.
4. Post information that could cause damage or danger of disruption.
5. Use the district computer system / network to harass another person, or post false or defamatory information about a person or organization.
6. Use the district computer system / network for commercial purposes. This includes offering, providing or purchasing products that are unrelated to business related to the School District.
7. Plagiarize or infringe upon copyrights of works found on the Internet.
8. Send or forward ‘spam’ or chain letters or forward e-mails of broad interest.
9. Use an account of another person or vandalize another user’s data.
10. Permit or authorize any other person to use their name or login password.
11. Waste electronic storage space by saving unnecessary files or programs.
12. Engage in any other inappropriate use of the district computer system / network.
B. Appropriate Use
Staff, faculty and administrators shall:
1. Use the system only for educational, career development and limited, high-quality, professional research.
2. Notify an appropriate staff member if a possible security problem has been found.
3. Use extreme caution when opening email attachments received from unknown senders, which may contain malware.
IV. Electronic Communication
School District resources for electronic communication shall be used for educational purposes. Incidental and occasional use of electronic mail may occur when such use does not generate cost to the district, but such messages will be treated no differently from other messages in the system. Prohibited electronic communications include, but are not limited to:
1. Use of electronic communications to send files that are in violation of copyright laws.
2. Use of electronic communications to send messages which are restricted by laws and regulations.
3. Use of electronic communications to intimidate or harass others, or to interfere with the ability of others to conduct school / district business.
4. Constricting electronic communications to appear to be from someone else.
5. Obtaining access to files or communications of others for the purpose of satisfying idle curiosity, with no substantial school / district business purpose.
6. Use of any electronic communications in violation of this policy or any other school / district policy.
Electronic Communications Retention
1. Per Federal Electronic Discovery rules, all email communication is to be archived for a period of time as determined by Massachusetts document retention guidelines.
2. Users should expect limited privacy in electronic communications.
3. All electronic communications are subject to search and are the property of the Ashburnham Westminster Regional School District. Deleting an email from your mail account does not delete it from the archiving server.
4. All district related business should be conducted using district provided email services and student or staff information should never be shared using personal email accounts.
Social Media
Social Media accounts representing district or school based entities should be created using district-owned credentials. Authentication information for these social media accounts should be registered with the Director of Technology.
V. Software and Hardware
Supported Software and Hardware
1. Installation, troubleshooting and training for all other software and hardware used by administration, faculty, staff and students will be supported as time and these licenses must be owned by the district.
2. Installation, troubleshooting and training for all other software and hardware used by administration, faculty, staff and students will be supported as time permits.
3. Software will be purchased in sufficient quantities to support the greatest number of simultaneous users, or as site licenses.
4. Single copies of software are considered evaluation copies and will not be supported or installed on multiple computers, or made available from the network for multiple computers
Unsupported Software and Hardware
1. Hardware or software which makes the computers or network harder to maintain and support and which offers no benefit over comparable hardware or software will not be supported.
2. Technology staff reserves the right to reimage any computer as necessary.
3. The district does not support equipment brought in from the outside by any user.
4. Technology staff reserves the right to confiscate any equipment that interferes with the operation of the network.
5. The Ashburnham Westminster Regional School District is not responsible for damage to or loss of equipment brought in from the outside. This includes computers, laptops, phones, music devices and data storage devices.
6. Technology staff must grant permission for the use of electronic equipment not owned by the school / district.
Wiring
Any wiring of computers or peripherals must be done in accordance with local and state building codes. Connectivity requests shall be made through the district IT department. The district IT department is solely responsible for this process.
VI. Data Security and Storage
Data Storage
Technology staff has the right to reimage or reset any computer as necessary. Due to this, no personal data or files should be stored solely on a local machine.
The Ashburnham Westminster Regional School District makes every effort to run regular backups of data and e-mail hosted on its systems and networks; however, it cannot guarantee that in the event of data loss or catastrophic failure all information will be recovered.
Data Security
Ashburnham Westminster Regional School District proprietary information stored on electronic and computing devices whether owned or leased by the School District, the employee or a third party remains the sole property of the School District. You must ensure through legal or technical means that proprietary information is protected in accordance with district data protection standards. Proprietary information is defined as all information that the School District wishes to keep confidential (ie: Student Information).
All School District employees, contractors, consultants and other workers have the responsibility to promptly report theft, loss or unauthorized disclosure of proprietary information.
School District proprietary information will not be stored on personal devices. Personal devices used to access proprietary information will be secured with anti-virus software and password protection.
Employees are responsible for exercising good judgment regarding the reasonableness of personal use. If there is any uncertainty, employees should consult the Technology Department.
The School District reserves the right to audit networks and systems on a periodic basis to ensure compliance with this policy.
The School District has systems in place that may monitor and record all network usage. These security systems are capable of recording all activity in and out of the district network for each user. The district reserves the right to intermittently monitor traffic and other usage of electronic resources. Users should have no expectation of privacy when using school district electronic resources.
VII. Due Process
The district will cooperate fully with local, state and federal officials in any investigation related to any illegal activities conducted through the district computer system / network.
In the event that there is a claim that a user has violated this policy or school disciplinary code in the use of the district computer system / network, the user will be provided with notice and opportunity to be heard in the manner set forth in the school disciplinary code.
If a violation also involves a violation of other provisions of the school disciplinary code, it will be handed in a manner described in the code. Additional restrictions may be placed on the use of the district computer system / network for that user.
VIII. Internet Safety Education and Supervision
It shall be the responsibility of all staff in the Ashburnham Westminster Regional School District to educate, supervise and monitor appropriate usage of the computer network and access to the Internet in accordance with this policy, the Children's Internet Protection Act, the Neighborhood Children's Internet Protection Act, and the Protecting Children in the 21st Century Act.
The Ashburnham Westminster Regional School District will provide age-appropriate training for students who use its computer networks and Internet facilities. The training provided will be designed to promote Ashburnham Westminster Regional School District's commitment to:
1. The standards and acceptable use of Internet services as set forth in the Acceptable Use Policy.
2. Student safety with regard to:
safety on the Internet.
appropriate behavior while on online, on social networking Web sites, and in chat rooms; and
cyberbullying awareness and response.
3. Compliance with the E-Rate requirements of the Children's Internet Protection Act ("CIPA").
IX. Staff Computing Devices
All teaching staff in AWRSD are issued electronic computing devices to assist them in completing tasks related to their employment. By accepting this device staff agrees to the following:
I understand that the device is the property of the Ashburnham Westminster Regional School District and I will use it in accordance with the Ashburnham Westminster Regional School District Acceptable Use Policy for Electronic Devices. It is intended only for the use of the student/staff member to whom it is assigned.
I will return the device in the same condition in which it was provided to me. This device will immediately be returned upon termination of employment.
I understand that the device may be periodically recalled by the Technology Department for updates and inventory purposes.
Electronic devices may be connected to a home network; however the AWRSD Technology Department is not responsible for such connections. Personal software is not to be installed on school technology equipment.
I will not modify the device, change the configuration of the equipment in any way, or disassemble any part of the device or attempt any repairs. The software on the device is the licensed property of the Ashburnham Westminster Regional School District.
If this electronic device is a desktop replacement, it must be at school during regularly scheduled work days in order to receive administrative communications, upgrade system software, take daily attendance, etc. This device may be taken home by the employee, but the employee is responsible at all times for the care and appropriate use of the device.
If the device is lost / stolen / damaged, it is the responsibility of the staff member to contact the AWRSD Technology Department immediately. I understand that I am personally responsible for any damage to this electronic device if directly attributable to my personal negligence. A device that is lost/stolen/damaged while off school property is the personal/financial responsibility of the person it is assigned to.
I understand that a violation of the terms and conditions set out in the Ashburnham Westminster Regional School District’s Acceptable Use Policy for Electronic Devices will result in the restriction and/or termination of my use of technology resources in Ashburnham Westminster Regional School District.
Updated: 7/12/24