Adopted:6/28/2004
Revised:
CANNON FALLS AREA SCHOOLS
I.S.D. # 252
06/28/2004
INTERNET, NETWORK AND COMPUTER ACCEPTABLE USE AND SAFETY POLICY
[Note:A one page signed summary of this policy will be kept on file by the
school district indicating a willing compliance and understanding of the
rights and responsibilities of the stakeholders.]
I. PURPOSE
The purpose of this policy is to set forth policies and guidelines for access
to the school district computer system and acceptable and safe use of the
Internet, including electronic communications.
II. GENERAL STATEMENT OF POLICY
In making decisions regarding student and employee access to the school
district computer system and the Internet, including electronic
communications, the school district considers its own stated educational
mission, goals, and objectives. Electronic information research skills are
now fundamental to preparation of citizens and future employees. Access to
the school district computer system and to the Internet enables students and
employees to explore thousands of libraries, databases, bulletin boards, and
other resources while exchanging messages with people around the world. The
school district expects that faculty will blend thoughtful use of the school
district computer system and the Internet throughout the curriculum and will
provide guidance and instruction to students in their use.
III. LIMITED EDUCATIONAL PURPOSE
The school district is providing students and employees with access to the
school district computer system, which includes Internet access. The purpose
of the system is more specific than providing students and employees with
general access to the Internet. The school district system has a limited
educational purpose, which includes use of the system for classroom
activities, educational research, and professional or career development
activities. Users are expected to use Internet access through the district
system to further educational and personal goals consistent with the mission
of the school district and school policies. Uses which might be acceptable on
a user’s private personal account on another system may not be acceptable on
this limited-purpose network.
IV. USE OF SYSTEM IS A PRIVILEGE
The use of the school district system and access to use of the Internet is a
privilege, not a right. Depending on the nature and degree of the violation
and the number of previous violations, unacceptable use of the school
district system or the Internet may result in one or more of the following
consequences: suspension or cancellation of use or access privileges;
payments for damages and repairs; discipline under other appropriate school
district policies, including suspension, expulsion, exclusion or termination
of employment; or civil or criminal liability under other applicable laws.
V. UNACCEPTABLE USES
A. The following uses of the school district system and Internet
resources or accounts are considered unacceptable:
1. Users will not use the school district system to access,
review, upload, download, store, print, post, receive, transmit or distribute:
a. pornographic, obscene or sexually explicit material or other visual
depictions that are harmful to minors;
b. obscene, abusive, profane, lewd, vulgar, rude,
inflammatory, threatening, disrespectful, or sexually explicit language;
c. materials that use language or images that are
inappropriate in the education setting or disruptive to the educational
process;
d. information or materials that could cause damage
or danger of disruption to the educational process;
e. materials that use language or images that
advocate violence or discrimination toward other people (hate literature) or
that may constitute harassment or discrimination.
2. Users will not use the school district system to knowingly or
recklessly post, transmit or distribute false or defamatory information about
a person or organization, or to harass another person, or to engage in
personal attacks, including prejudicial or discriminatory attacks.
3. Users will not use the school district system to engage in any illegal act
or violate any local, state or federal statute or law.
4. Users will not use the school district system to vandalize, damage or
disable the property of another person or organization, will not make
deliberate attempts to degrade or disrupt equipment, software or system
performance by spreading computer viruses or by any other means, will not
tamper with, modify or change the school district system software, hardware
or wiring or take any action to violate the school district’s security
system, and will not use the school district system in such a way as to
disrupt the use of the system by other users.
5. Users will not use the school district system to gain unauthorized access
to information resources or to access another person’s materials, information
or files without the implied or direct permission of that person.
6. Users will not use the school district system to post private
information about another person, personal contact information about
themselves or other persons, or other personally identifiable information,
including, but not limited to, addresses, telephone numbers, school
addresses, work addresses, identification numbers, account numbers, access
codes or passwords, labeled photographs or other information that would make
the individual’s identity easily traceable, and will not repost a message
that was sent to the user privately without permission of the person who sent
the message.
7. Users must keep all account information and passwords on file
with the designated school district official. Users will not attempt to gain
unauthorized access to the school district system or any other system through
the school district system, attempt to log in through another person’s
account, or use computer accounts, access codes or network identification
other than those assigned to the user. Messages and records on the school
district system may not be encrypted without the permission of appropriate
school authorities.
8. Users will not use the school district system to violate copyright laws or
usage licensing agreements, or otherwise to use another person’s property
without the person’s prior approval or proper citation, including the
downloading or exchanging of pirated software or copying software to or from
any school computer, and will not plagiarize works they find on the Internet.
9. Users will not use the school district system for conducting business, for
unauthorized commercial purposes or for financial gain unrelated to the
mission of the school district. Users will not use the school district system
to offer or provide goods or services or for product advertisement. Users
will not use the school district system to purchase goods or services for
personal use without authorization from the appropriate school district
official.
B. If a user inadvertently accesses unacceptable materials or
an unacceptable Internet site, the user shall immediately disclose the
inadvertent access to an appropriate school district official. In the case
of a school district employee, the immediate disclosure shall be to the
employee’s immediate supervisor and/or the building administrator. This
disclosure may serve as a defense against an allegation that the user has
intentionally violated this policy. In certain rare instances, a user also
may access otherwise unacceptable materials if necessary to complete an
assignment and if done with the prior approval of and with appropriate
guidance from the appropriate teacher or, in the case of a school district
employee, the building administrator.
VI. FILTER
School districts which receive certain federal funding, such as e-rate
discounts, for purposes of Internet access and connection services and/or
receive funds to purchase Internet accessible computers are subject to the
federal Children’s Internet Protection Act, effective in 2001. This law
requires school districts to adopt an Internet safety policy which contains
the provisions set forth below. Also, the Act requires such school districts
to provide reasonable notice and hold at least one public hearing or meeting
to address the proposed Internet safety policy prior to its implementation.
School districts that do not seek such federal financial assistance need not
adopt the alternative language set forth below nor meet the requirements with
respect to a public meeting to review the policy. The following alternative
language for school districts that seek such federal financial assistance
satisfies both state and federal law requirements.
A. With respect to any of its computers with Internet access, the
School District will monitor the online activities of minors and employ
technology protection measures during any use of such computers by minors and
adults. The technology protection measures utilized will block or filter
Internet access to any visual depictions that are:
1. Obscene;
2. Child pornography; or
3. Harmful to minors.
B. The term “harmful to minors” means any picture, image, graphic
image file, or other visual depiction that:
1. taken as a whole and with respect to minors, appeals to a
prurient interest in nudity, sex, or excretion; or
2. depicts, describes, or represents, in a patently offensive way
with respect to what is suitable for minors, an actual or simulated sexual
act or sexual contact, actual or simulated normal or perverted sexual acts,
or a lewd exhibition of the genitals; and
3. Taken as a whole, lacks serious literary, artistic, political,
or scientific value as to minors.
C. An administrator, supervisor or other person authorized by the
Superintendent may disable the technology protection measure, during use by
an adult, to enable access for bona fide research or other lawful purposes.
VII. CONSISTENCY WITH OTHER SCHOOL POLICIES
Use of the school district computer system and use of the Internet shall be
consistent with school district policies and the mission of the school
district.
VIII. LIMITED EXPECTATION OF PRIVACY
A. By authorizing use of the school district system, the school
district does not relinquish control over materials on the system or
contained in files on the system. Users should expect only limited privacy
in the contents of personal files on the school district system.
B. Routine maintenance and monitoring of the school district
system may lead to a discovery that a user has violated this policy, another
school district policy, or the law.
C. An individual investigation or search will be conducted if school
authorities have a reasonable suspicion that the search will uncover a
violation of law or school district policy.
D. Parents have the right at any time to investigate or review
the contents of their child’s files and e-mail files. Parents have the right
to request the termination of their child’s individual account at any time.
E. School district employees should be aware that the school
district retains the right at any time to investigate or review the contents
of their files and e-mail files. In addition, school district employees
should be aware that data and other materials in files maintained on the
school district system may be subject to review, disclosure or discovery
under Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 13 ( the Minnesota Government Data
Practices Act).
F. The school district will cooperate fully with local, state and
federal authorities in any investigation concerning or related to any illegal
activities or activities not in compliance with school district policies
conducted through the school district system.
IX. INTERNET USE AGREEMENT
A. The proper use of the Internet, and the educational value to
be gained from proper Internet use, is the joint responsibility of students,
parents and employees of the school district.
B. This policy requires the permission of and supervision by the
school’s designated professional staff before a student may use a school
account or resource to access the Internet.
C. The Internet Use Agreement form for students must be read and
signed by the user, the parent or guardian, and the supervising teacher. The
Internet Use Agreement form for employees must be signed by the employee.
The form must then be filed at the school office. As supervising teachers
change, the agreement signed by the new teacher shall be attached to the
original agreement.
X. LIMITATION ON SCHOOL DISTRICT LIABILITY
Use of the school district system is at the user’s own risk. The system is
provided on an “as is, as available” basis. The school district will not be
responsible for any damage users may suffer, including, but not limited to,
loss, damage or unavailability of data stored on school district diskettes,
tapes, hard drives or servers, or for delays or changes in or interruptions
of service or misdeliveries or nondeliveries of information or materials,
regardless of the cause. The school district is not responsible for the
accuracy or quality of any advice or information obtained through or stored
on the school district system. The school district will not be responsible
for financial obligations arising through unauthorized use of the school
district system or the Internet.
XI. USER NOTIFICATION
A. All users shall be notified of the school district
policies relating to Internet use.
B. This notification shall include the following:
1. Notification that Internet use is subject to compliance with
school district policies.
2. Disclaimers limiting the school
district’s liability relative to:
a. Information stored on school district diskettes,
hard drives or servers.
b. Information retrieved through school district
computers, networks or online resources.
c. Personal property used to access school district
computers, networks or online resources.
d. Unauthorized financial obligations resulting from
use of school district resources/accounts to access the Internet.
3. A description of the privacy rights and limitations of school
sponsored/managed Internet accounts.
4. Notification that, even though the school district may use
technical means to limit student Internet access, these limits do not provide
a foolproof means for enforcing the provisions of this acceptable use policy.
5. Notification that goods and services can be purchased over the
Internet that could potentially result in unwanted financial obligations and
that any financial obligation incurred by a student through the Internet is
the sole responsibility of the student and/or the student’s parents.
6. Notification that the collection, creation, reception,
maintenance and dissemination of data via the Internet, including electronic
communications, is governed by Policy 406, Public and Private Personnel Data,
and Policy 515, Protection and Privacy of Pupil Records.
7. Notification that, should the user violate the school
district’s acceptable use policy, the user’s access privileges may be
revoked, school disciplinary action may be taken and/or appropriate legal
action may be taken.
8. Notification that all provisions of the acceptable use policy
are subordinate to local, state and federal laws.
XII. PARENTS’ RESPONSIBILITY; NOTIFICATION OF STUDENT INTERNET USE
A. Outside of school, parents bear responsibility for the same guidance of
Internet use as they exercise with information sources such as television,
telephones, radio, movies and other possibly offensive media. Parents are
responsible for monitoring their student’s use of the school district system
and of the Internet if the student is accessing the school district system
from home or a remote location.
B. Parents will be notified that their students will be using
school district resources/accounts to access the Internet and that the school
district will provide parents the option to request alternative activities
not requiring Internet access. This notification should include:
1. A copy of the user notification form
provided to the student user.
2. A description of parent/guardian
responsibilities.
3. A notification that the parents have the option to request
alternative educational activities not requiring Internet access and the
material to exercise this option.
4. A statement that the Internet Use Agreement must be signed by
the user, the parent or guardian, and the supervising teacher prior to use by
the student.
5. A statement that the school district’s acceptable use policy
is available for parental review.
XIII. IMPLEMENTATION; POLICY REVIEW
A. The school district administration may develop appropriate
user notification forms, guidelines and procedures necessary to implement
this policy for submission to the school board for approval. Upon approval
by the school board, such guidelines, forms and procedures shall be an
addendum to this policy.
B. The administration shall revise the user notifications,
including student and parent notifications, if necessary, to reflect the
adoption of these guidelines and procedures.
C. The school district Internet policies and procedures are
available for review by all parents, guardians, staff and members of the
community.
D. Because of the rapid changes in the development of the
Internet, the school board shall conduct an annual review of this policy.
Legal References: 17 U.S.C. § 101 et. seq. (Copyrights)
15 U.S.C. § 6501 et. seq.
Children’s Internet Protection Act of
2000 (CIPA) 47 U.S.C. § 254
47 C.F.R. § 54.520 (FCC rules
implementing CIPA)
Title III of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, 20 U.S.C.
§1601, et seq., as amended
Minn. Stat. §§ 125B.15 and 125B.25
Cross References: MSBA/MASA Model Policy 403 (Discipline, Suspension and
Dismissal of School District Employees)
MSBA/MASA Model Policy 406 (Public and
Private Personnel Data)
MSBA/MASA Model Policy 505 (Distribution of Nonschool-Sponsored Materials on
School Premises by Students and Employees)
MSBA/MASA Model Policy 506 (Student Discipline)
MSBA/MASA Model Policy 515 (Protection and Privacy of Pupil Records)
MSBA/MASA Model Policy 519 (Interviews of Students by Outside Agencies)
MSBA/MASA Model Policy 521 (Student
Disability Nondiscrimination)
MSBA/MASA Model Policy 522 (Student Sex
Nondiscrimination)
MSBA/MASA Model Policy 603 (Curriculum
Development)
MSBA/MASA Model Policy 604 (Instructional
Curriculum)
MSBA/MASA Model Policy 606 (Textbooks and
Instructional Material)
MSBA/MASA Model Policy 804 (Bomb Threats)
MSBA/MASA Model Policy 904 (Distribution of Materials on School District
Property by Nonschool Persons)
Last Modified: Wednesday January 19 2005
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