STUDENT COMPUTER AND INTERNET USE AND "CYBER SAFETY"

Boothbay-Boothbay Harbor CSD computers, network, and Internet access are provided to support the educational mission of the schools and to enhance the curriculum and learning opportunities for students and school staff. This policy and the accompanying rules also apply to laptops issued directly to students, whether they are used at school or off school premises.

Compliance with Boothbay-Boothbay Harbor CSD's policies and rules concerning computer and Internet use is mandatory. Students who violate these policies and rules may have their computer privileges limited, suspended, or revoked. The building principal is authorized to determine, after considering the circumstances involved, whether and for how long a student' s computer privileges will be altered. The building principal's decision shall be final.

Violations of this policy and Boothbay-Boothbay Harbor CSD's computer and Internet rules may also result in disciplinary action, referral to law enforcement, and/or legal action.

Boothbay-Boothbay Harbor CSD computers remain under the control, custody, and supervision of the school unit at all times. The school unit monitors all computer and Internet activity by students. Students have no expectation of privacy in their use of school computers, whether they are used on school property or elsewhere.

"CYBER SAFETY"

Boothbay-Boothbay Harbor CSD uses filtering technology designed to block materials that are obscene or harmful to minors, and child pornography. Although Boothbay-Boothbay Harbor CSD takes precautions to supervise student use of the Internet, parents should be aware that the Boothbay-Boothbay Harbor CSD cannot reasonably prevent all instances of inappropriate computer and Internet use by students in violation of Board policies and rules, including access to objectionable materials and communication with persons outside of the school. The school unit is not responsible for the accuracy or quality of information that students obtain through the Internet.

In the interest of student safety ("cyber safety"), Boothbay-Boothbay Harbor CSD also educates students about online behavior, including interacting on social networking sites and chat rooms, the dangers of hacking, and issues surrounding "sexting" and cyber-bullying awareness and response. The Superintendent shall be responsible for integrating cyber safety training and "digital citizenship" into the curriculum and for documenting Internet safety training.

The Superintendent shall be responsible for implementing this policy and the accompanying "acceptable use" rules. Superintendent/designee may implement additional administrative procedures or school rules consistent with Board policy to govern the day-to-day management and operations of the school unit's computer system.

Students and parents shall be informed of this policy and the accompanying rules through student handbooks, the school website, and/or other means selected by the Superintendent.

Legal Reference:

20 USC § 677 (Enhancing Education through Technology Act)

47 USC§ 254(h) (5) (Children' s Internet Protection Act)

47 CFR § 54.52 Federal Communications Commission Order and Report 11-125

Cross Reference:

EGAD - Copyright Compliance

GCSA - Employee Computer and Internet Use

IJNDB-R - Student Computer and Internet Use Rules

Adopted: 9-24-1997

Revised: 6-14-2012