ACCEPTABLE USE OF COMPUTERS, TECHNOLOGY AND THE INTERNET
The Board supports the use of computers, technology and the Internet in the District's instructional program as a resource to educate and inform. The use of these resources shall be consistent with the curriculum adopted by the School District and shall be employed in an appropriate and responsible manner to meet the varied instructional needs, learning styles, abilities and developmental levels of students. Procedures and Guidelines The Superintendent shall develop and implement appropriate procedures to provide guidance for computer use and Internet access. Guidelines shall address teacher supervision of computer use, ethical use of electronic media, and the District’s ownership and right of administrative review of electronic files and communications. The term “electronic media” includes, but is not limited to, the Internet, e-mail and other technological resources. The guidelines shall prohibit utilization of networks for inappropriate or illegal activities, the intentional spreading of imbedded messages (viruses) or the use of other programs with the potential of damaging or destroying programs, data or equipment. The guidelines will describe the District's limitation of liability and will establish that the use of computers, technology and the Internet is a privilege, not a right. Violation of the procedures and guidelines will result in cancellation of those privileges and appropriate disciplinary action. Technology Protection Measure The District will implement a technology protection measure that will block or filter Internet access to visual depictions that are obscene, pornographic or of a harmful nature to minors. Operation of this measure will be monitored and enforced during use of computers by minors. Audit of Use Users with network access shall not utilize District resources to establish electronic mail accounts through third-party providers or any other nonstandard electronic mail system. Participation in chat rooms is prohibited without specific prior approval by the system administrator. The Superintendent shall establish a process to determine whether the District's education technology is being used for purposes prohibited by law or for accessing prohibited materials.
The process may include, but not be limited to:
1. Utilizing blocking/filtering software.
2. Turning off the "auto load images" feature of the Internet browser.
3. Using a proxy server to control accessible websites.
