4118.5 - 4218.5 - Acceptable Computer Network Use

Personnel - Certified-Non-Certified

Rights, Responsibilities and Duties

4118.5/4218.5 - Acceptable Computer Network Use

The Board of Education (Board) provides computers, networks and Internet access to support the educational mission of the schools and to enhance the curriculum and learning opportunities for students and school staff.

Employees are to utilize the District’s computers, networks, email system and Internet services for school-related purposes and performance of job duties. Limited incidental personal use of District computers, networks, email systems and Internet services is permitted as long as such use does not interfere with the employee's job duties and performance, with system operations or other system users. “Limited incidental personal use” is defined as use by an individual employee for appropriate, lawful, brief and occasional personal purposes. Employees are reminded that such personal use must comply with this policy and all other applicable policies, procedures and rules.

Employees shall be notified that computer files and electronic communications, including email and voice mail, are not private. Technological resources shall not be used to transmit confidential information about students, employees, or District operations without authority. The systems’ security aspects, message delete function and personal passwords can be bypassed for monitoring purposes. Therefore, employees must be aware that they should not have any expectation of personal privacy in the use of these computer systems. This provision applies to any and all uses of the District’s computer systems, including any incidental personal use permitted in accordance with this policy and applicable regulations.

Online/Internet Services

The District will educate minor students about appropriate online behavior, including interacting with other individuals on social networking websites and in chat rooms and cyber-bullying awareness and response. Additionally, the District will implement a technology protection measure to block or filter Internet access to visual depictions that are obscene material, contain child pornography, or are harmful to minors and ensure that such filtering technology is operative during computer use by minor students.

Any employee who violates this policy and/or any rules governing use of the District’s computers will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including discharge. Illegal uses of the Windsor Locks School District’s computers will also result in referral to law enforcement authorities.

All District computers remain under the control, custody and supervision of the school District. The school unit reserves the right to monitor all computer and Internet activity by employees. Employees have no expectation of privacy in their use of school computers.

Each employee authorized to access the Windsor Locks School District’s computers, networks and Internet services is required to sign an acknowledgment form stating that they have read this policy and the accompanying regulations. The acknowledgment form will be retained in the employee's personnel file.

The Superintendent or his/her designee 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/regulations. The Superintendent or his/her designee may develop additional administrative procedures/rules governing the day-to-day management and operations of the District’s computer system 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.

(cf. 6141.321 - Student Use of the Internet)

(cf. 6141.322 - Web Sites/Pages)

Legal References:

Connecticut General Statutes

The Freedom of Information Act

31-48d Employers engaged in electronic monitoring required to give prior notice to employees. Exceptions. Civil penalty.

53a-182 Disorderly conduct; Class C misdemeanor

53a-182b Harassment in the first degree.

53a-183 Harassment in the second degree

53a-250 Computer-related Offenses: Definitions

Electronics Communication Privacy Act, 28 U.S.C. §2510 through 2520

Policy Adopted: January 2011

Revised: October 2018