Policy

Policy No. 4219.26

Board of Education

Haddonfield

STAFF ACCEPTABLE USE

For School Technology

It is expected, as a condition of employment, that staff will read, understand and adhere to the Haddonfield School District’s Acceptable Use Policy, (Policy No. 6142.10 of the Haddonfield Board of Education). In addition, there are elements of technology which are part of staff use at a professional level and must be addressed separately from those areas which are addressed with students.

The Haddonfield Board of Education recognizes that as telecommunications and other new technologies shift the manner in which information is accessed, communicated and transferred, such changes will require a set of standards to which all users must adhere. The Board adopts the following standards of conduct for the use of computer/network(s) and declares unethical, unacceptable, inappropriate or illegal behavior as just cause for taking disciplinary action, limiting or revoking network access privileges, instituting legal action or taking any other appropriate action as deemed necessary.

The Board provides access to technology including but not limited to computer networks/computers, the Internet, and electronic mail. The system is not intended to create an “open forum” of “limited open forum” regarding the expression of ideas/opinions by staff members. The system is not to be used for the expression of opinions or religious, social or political issues, or the solicitation, fundraising or advertisement for non school related organizations.

The Board retains the right to restrict or terminate staff members’ access to the computer networks/computers at any time, for any reason. The Board retains the right to have the Superintendent or designee monitor network activity, in any form necessary, to maintain the integrity of the network(s) and ensure its proper use.

Standards for Use of Computer Network(s)

Any individual engaging in the following actions when using computer networks/computers shall be subject to discipline or legal action:

Using the networks/computers for illegal, inappropriate or obscene purposes, or in support of such activities. Illegal activities are defined as activities which violate federal, state, local laws and regulations. Inappropriate activities are defined as those that violate the intended use of the network(s). Obscene activities shall be defined as a violation of generally accepted social standards for use of publicly owned and operated communication vehicles.
Using the computer networks/computers to violate copyrights, institutional or third party copyrights, license agreements or other contracts. (17 U.S.C. §106)
Using the computer network(s) in a manner that:

Disrupts network traffic or crashes network;

Degrades or disrupts equipment or system performance;

Uses the computing resources of the school district for commercial purposes, financial gain (stock transactions included), fraud, or fund raising, solicitation and/or advertising of non-school related organizations;

Steals data or other intellectual property;

Gains or seeks unauthorized access to the files of others or vandalizes the data of another user;

Gains or seeks unauthorized access to resources or entities;

Forges electronic mail messages or uses an account owned by others;

Invades the privacy of others;

Posts anonymous messages;

Possesses any data which is a violation of this policy; and/or

Through use of the network/computers, engages in other activities that the violate other policies of the Board of Education

Internet Safety/Protection

The Haddonfield Board of Education is in compliance with the Children’s Internet Protection Act and has installed technology protection measures for all computers in the school district, including computers in media centers/libraries, that block and/or filter 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 other visual depiction that taken as a whole and with respect to minors, appeals to the 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.

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 school enforces the requirements of this Policy.

Notwithstanding blocking and/or filtering the visual depictions prohibited in the Children’s Internet Protection Act, the Board shall determine other Internet material that is inappropriate for minors. 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 6142.10.

E-Mail/Internet Use

Confidentiality:

It must be clearly understood that e-mail is not a private method of communication. A sender of an E-mail message should expect that the E-mail messages may be reviewed by the system administrators or school administration.
Any e-mail which is of a confidential nature regarding student or personnel matters should be marked “confidential” in the subject line, as well as at the top of the message area. This should alert the recipient of the message that as a confidential message, it should not be left open when away from the desk, and that it should be handled in a discreet manner.
Users should be particularly careful in forwarding or copying confidential messages.
Sensitive issues should be handled as in any other form of communication, but with a special eye to the potential lack of confidentiality that any electronic communication affords.

Usage Restrictions:

District e-mail and equipment may not be used to promote candidates, political policies or political points of view. It is against the law to do so, as the accounts, equipment and access are paid for by taxpayers.
School e-mail may not be used for financial gain (stocks transactions included), or to conduct a private business. It is against the law to do so, as the accounts, equipment and access are paid for by taxpayers.
Students will not be given, assigned or required to have e-mail accounts.
Any inappropriate e-mail that is received should be deleted immediately, and the trash emptied. Under no circumstances should it be forwarded to another (except for identification of source if necessary, when requested by the Director of Technology). Under no circumstances should it be stored in your account.

Web Page Development

No student faces will be published on the Web. Only pictures that do not show faces may be published.
In accordance with FERPA (Family Education Right to Privacy Act):

No phone numbers or addresses for students should be published on the Web.
Written permission from parents and students must be acquired for each instance, before publishing any student work on the web.

When student work is published, it should not be published with their name.

Any link that is included in a school web page should be checked for value and appropriateness to the educational environment.
Adult faces and/or personal information may be published only after the appropriate form is completed and signed by the adult granting permission. This needs to be done for each instance.

Software Acquisition

Purchase of a software title gives the purchaser the license to install on one (1) machine only. Any installation beyond that, in most instances, is not legal. Therefore, any installation of software should follow the Administrative Procedure: “Purchase and Implementation of Hardware and Software” which may be obtained in each school’s main office or from the Instructional Technology Coordinator.

Any installation or downloading of software should be done only after the approval of the Instructional Technology Coordinator of the Director of Technology.

Acceptable Use Agreement Requirements

No staff member shall be permitted to use the district’s computer network or access the Internet using the district’s computer equipment unless he/she shall have filed a signed Acceptable Use Agreement with the building principal.

Violations

Individuals violating this policy shall be subject to appropriate disciplinary actions, which includes but are not limited to:

Use of the networks/computers only under direct supervision;
Suspension of network privileges;
Revocation of network privileges;
Suspension of computer privileges;
Revocation of computer privileges;
Suspension;
Dismissal;
Legal action and prosecution by the authorities; and/or
Any appropriate action that may be deemed necessary as determined by the Superintendent and approved by the Haddonfield Board of Education.

ACCEPTABLE USE AGREEMENT for STAFF

The Haddonfield School District cannot be responsible for any damages to an individual’s files or work. This includes loss of data resulting from delays, non-deliveries, or service interruptions caused by the network or the user. Use of any information via the Internet is at one’s own risk. The district is not responsible for the accuracy or the quality of information obtained through this service.

I have read, understand and will abide by the Haddonfield Board of Education’s Acceptable Use Policy No. 4219.26 governing acceptable use of computer network(s)/computers and resources by all staff.

Name of Staff Member:______________________________________________________________

Building: _________________ Dept. or Grade: _________________ Phone Ext: _______________

N.J.S.A. 2A:38A-3

Federal Communications Commission: Children’s Protection Act

Adopted: February , 2002