acceptable Use/Use of Technology
District Policy
2361 - ACCEPTABLE USE OF COMPUTER NETWORK/COMPUTERS AND RESOURCES
The Board of Education recognizes as new technologies shift the manner in which information is accessed, communicated, and transferred; these changes will alter the nature of teaching and learning. Access to technology will allow pupils to explore databases, libraries, Internet sites, and bulletin boards while exchanging information with individuals throughout the world. The Board supports access by pupils to these information sources but reserves the right to limit in-school use to materials appropriate for educational purposes. The Board directs the Superintendent to effect training of teaching staff members in skills appropriate to analyzing and evaluating such resources as to appropriateness for educational purposes.
The Board also recognizes technology allows pupils access to information sources that have not been pre-screened by educators using Board approved standards. The Board therefore adopts the following standards of conduct for the use of computer networks and declares unethical, unacceptable, or illegal behavior as just cause for taking disciplinary action, limiting or revoking network access privileges, and/or instituting legal action.
The Board provides access to computer networks/computers for educational purposes only. The Board retains the right to restrict or terminate pupil access to computer networks/computers at any time, for any reason. School district personnel will monitor networks and online activity, to maintain the integrity of the networks, ensure their proper use, and ensure compliance with Federal and State laws that regulate Internet safety.
Standards for Use of Computer Networks
Any individual engaging in the following actions when using computer networks/computers shall be subject to discipline or legal action:
A. Using the computer network computers for illegal, inappropriate or obscene purposes, or in support of such activities. Illegal activities are defined as activities that violate Federal, State, local laws and regulations. Inappropriate activities are defined as those that violate the intended use of the networks. Obscene activities shall be defined as a violation of generally accepted social standards for use of publicly owned and operated communication vehicles.
B. Using the computer network computers to violate copyrights, institutional or third party copyrights, license agreements or other contracts.
C. Using the computer network in a manner that:
1. Intentionally disrupts network traffic or crashes the network;
2. Degrades or disrupts equipment or system performance;
3. Uses the computing resources of the school district for commercial purposes, financial gain, or fraud;
4. Steals data or other intellectual property;
5. Gains or seeks unauthorized access to the files of others or vandalizes the data of another person;
6. Gains or seeks unauthorized access to resources or entities;
7. Forges electronic mail messages or uses an account owned by others;
8. Invades privacy of others;
9. Posts anonymous messages;
10. Possesses any data which is a violation of this Policy; and/or
11. Engages in other activities that do not advance the educational purposes for which computer networks/computers are provided.
Internet Safety Protection
As a condition for receipt of certain Federal funding, the school district shall be in compliance with the Children’s Internet Protection Act, the Neighborhood Children’s Internet Protection Act, and has installed technology protection measures for all computers in the school district, including computers in media centers/libraries. The technology protection must block and/or filter material and visual depictions that are obscene as defined in Section 1460 of Title 18, United States Code; child pornography, as defined in Section 2256 of Title 18, United States Code; are harmful to minors including any pictures, images, graphic image file or other material or visual depiction that taken as a whole and with respect to minors, appeals to a prurient interest in nudity, sex, or excretion; or depicts, describes, or represents in a patently offensive way, with respect to what is suitable for minors, sexual acts or conduct; or taken as a whole, lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value as to minors.
This Policy also establishes Internet safety policy and procedures in the district as required in the Neighborhood Children’s Internet Protection Act. Policy 2361 addresses access by minors to inappropriate matter on the Internet and World Wide Web; the safety and security of minors when using electronic mail, chat rooms, and other forms of direct electronic communications; unauthorized access, including “hacking” and other unlawful activities by minors online; unauthorized disclosures, use, and dissemination of personal identification information regarding minors; and measures designed to restrict minors’ access to materials harmful to minors.
Notwithstanding blocking and/or filtering the material and visual depictions prohibited in the Children’s Internet Protection Act and the Neighborhood Children’s Internet Protection Act, the Board shall determine other Internet material that is inappropriate for minors.
In accordance with the provisions of the Children’s Internet Protection Act, the Superintendent of Schools or designee will develop and ensure education is provided to every pupil regarding appropriate online behavior, including pupils interacting with other individuals on social networking sites and/or chat rooms, and cyber bullying awareness and response.
The Board will provide reasonable public notice and will hold one annual public hearing during a regular monthly Board meeting or during a designated special Board meeting to address and receive public community input on the Internet safety policy - Policy and Regulation 2361. Any changes in Policy and Regulation 2361 since the previous year’s annual public hearing will also be discussed at a meeting following the annual public hearing.
The school district will certify on an annual basis, that the schools, including media centers/libraries in the district, are in compliance with the Children’s Internet Protection Act and the Neighborhood Children’s Internet Protection Act and the school district enforces the requirements of these Acts and this Policy.
Consent Requirement
No pupil shall be allowed to use the school districts’ computer networks/computers and the Internet unless they have filed a consent form signed by the student's parent(s) or legal guardian(s).
Violations
Individuals violating this Policy shall be subject to the consequences as indicated in Regulation 2361 and other appropriate discipline, which includes but are not limited to:
1. Use of the network only under direct supervision;
2. Suspension of network privileges;
3. Revocation of network privileges;
4. Suspension of computer privileges;
5. Revocation of computer privileges;
6. Suspension from school;
7. Expulsion from school; and/or
8. Legal action and prosecution by the authorities.
N.J.S.A. 2A:38A-3
Federal Communications Commission: Children’s Internet Protection Act.
Federal Communications Commission: Neighborhood Children’s Internet Protection Act
District Policy
2360 - USE OF TECHNOLOGY
The Board of Education recognizes the use of technology in the educational process is an essential part of the schooling experience. Technology is to be viewed as a resource to enhance the learning process among other resources available to teachers and pupils. In addition, technology can be used to enhance the administration of the schools and the district. In order to provide direction and meaning to the use of technology as an instructional resource, the Board encourages and supports staff use of technology as a component of the learning process.
For purposes of this policy “technology” includes, but is not limited to, the use of computers and computer peripherals, communications networks, access to databases and libraries of information and the integration of audio, video, multimedia devices and media for purposes of teaching and learning.
The Superintendent, in consultation with teaching and support staff, shall recommend to the Board the acquisition of appropriate technology to best implement the curricular, instructional, and administrative program of the school district. The Superintendent shall prepare a technology plan for the school district to encompass the following:
Curricular, Instructional and Administrative Need
The technology plan shall define the curricular, instructional and administrative need for technological equipment and media for the district.
In-service Education
The Board shall provide opportunities for school staff to participate in in-service programs on hardware or software programs to be used in the execution of educational and administrative tasks. In-service programs may be provided in or out of the district.
Standards, Codes and References
All technology installations shall conform to the industry standards and applicable Federal, State and local statutes and codes.
Facilities Planning
In all facilities projects involving new constructions, additions, and renovations the Superintendent or designee shall ensure the plans include provisions for current and future technology needs in terms of the structural, electric/electronic, mechanical, acoustical and visual systems of the building(s). All educational specifications shall include features required for the use of instructional technology.
Computers
The school district will provide support or maintenance agreements for specified brands of computers. All other computers purchased or donated will be subject to repair only when non-allocated funding is available and therefore may remain unrepaired until funding is available.
Computer Software Acquisition and Upgrading
The school district will only support the specified upgrades and training. Staff members shall not purchase software that has not been included on a list of specified software or has been approved by the Building Principal, supervisors, and/or Director of Information Technology.
The Superintendent will recommend the purchase of upgrades to software as needed. An evaluation of upgrades shall be made by appropriate personnel and no upgrade shall be purchased without the express approval of the Building Principal, supervisors, and/or Director of Information Technology.
Site Licenses
In the case where more than one copy of a software program is required, the Building Principal, supervisors, and/or Director of Information Technology shall attempt to acquire or negotiate a site license with the software developers. In the event a site license is not possible, vendors shall be sought who will provide multiple copies at a discounted cost.
Software Copyright
All employees shall strictly adhere to the copyright laws of the United States. No software shall be copied and/or distributed except in accordance with these laws. All software placed on media workstations or any network with public access shall be copy protected by the Director of Information Technology, who shall assure that individuals who have access to such programs shall not copy them without authorization.
Internal Communication (District)
The school district shall provide communication between schools by a variety of means.
External Communications
The Board encourages the use of external communications so schools may utilize the vast resources of external databases and communicate with other schools, external agencies, and businesses throughout the world. Gateways to such communications will be supported by the school district. The use of particular gateways shall be approved by the Director of Information Technology. The Director of Information Technology shall be responsible for the installation of software in district owned computers and/or computer systems that prevents access to gateways and Internet sites that have material considered by the Director of Information Technology to be inappropriate for use by pupils.
Computer Laboratories and Distributed Computing
In order to provide teacher, staff, and pupil access to computers, the Board directs that provisions be made to provide computer access in computer laboratories, classrooms, and school libraries/media centers.
Audio/Video
All audio and/or video materials shall be used in accordance with the copyright laws of the United States. Teachers, pupils, or staff who create audio or video materials containing the voices or images of the individuals involved shall obtain proper releases from those individuals, their parent(s) or legal guardian(s) for instructional use within the school.
Informing Parents, Legal Guardians and Interested Parties
Upon request, the Building Principal shall make available to parent/legal guardians the computer hardware and software used in the district in order that a computer purchased privately for home use may be compatible with the computer and software the pupil uses in the school setting.
Technology Coordination
The Board shall appoint a Director of Information Technology to assure the technology needs of the district are met in the most efficient manner possible at the lowest costs available to meet specified needs.
Broadcast Rights and Copyrights
The Board specifically retains the Broadcast rights and copyrights to all materials created by employees of the Board as part of their responsibilities to the Board. Any financial remuneration for the use of such materials shall be retained by the Board.
Computer Security
The Director of Information Technology shall develop security procedures to include, but not be limited to, the following areas:
1. Physical Security of Equipment
All computer equipment shall be maintained in a secure manner appropriate to its location.
2. Data Security
a. Back-up procedures for system files, libraries, and data shall be practiced in a timely fashion.
b. Disaster recovery plans shall be kept up-to-date at all times.
c. Password protection shall be in place and updated periodically.
d. Resource security shall be in place to prevent unauthorized access to system files, libraries, and data.
3. Employee Training
All new employees having, as part of their job responsibilities, access to computers and information systems will be trained in the proper security procedures outlined above.
All employees having, as part of their job responsibilities, access to computers and information systems will be kept up-to-date on current security procedures for equipment and data.
4. Transaction Audit Trail
Appropriate procedures will be maintained in order to monitor system activity and users, as necessary.
5. Security Officer
The Superintendent shall designate the Director of Information Technology as the district’s Computer Security Officer to monitor system security procedures.
Use of Facsimile (FAX) Machines
Fax machines provide a useful means of communicating and shall be subject to the same rules that apply to the use of telephones. All incoming faxes shall be considered confidential mail. No disclosure of the contents of any fax shall be made except to the individual for whom the fax is intended. Any individual violating this confidentiality shall be subject to discipline as provided by the policies and regulations of the Board.
N.J.A.C. 6A:26-6.1 et seq.
17 U.S.C. 101 et seq.