Acceptable Use Policy and Request for Network Access

Electronic Information Access and Use For Educational Purposes Policy

Leslie Public Schools encourages and strongly promotes the use of electronic information technologies in educational endeavors. The District provides access to information resources available in a variety of electronic formats, and for the development of information management skills. Together these allow learners to access current and relevant resources, provide the opportunity to communicate in a technologically rich environment and assist them in becoming responsible, self-directed, lifelong learners.

The District's information technologies are the District's property and are intended for use for educational purposes. The District retains the right to access and review all electronic and voice mail communications, computer files, databases and any other electronic transmissions contained in or accessed by District information technologies.

Users have no reasonable expectation that any information contained on any District information technologies is confidential or private. The District's system is not a public forum and access to the technology is a privilege and not a right.

The District makes no warranties of any kind, whether expressed or implied for any reason regarding the availability of its information technologies, including but not limited to the loss of data, delays, non-delivery, or service interruption caused by its negligence or the user's errors or omissions. All District information technologies are provided on an "as is, as available" basis.

Equipment includes, but is not limited to, computers, disk drives, printers, scanners, networks, video and audio recorders, cameras, photocopiers, phones and other related electronic resources.

Software includes, but is not limited to, computer software, print and non-print and any associated resources.

Networks include, but are not limited to, all voice and data systems.

Users include anyone who is accessing or using District equipment, software, or networks.

District Responsibility

Leslie Public Schools is responsible for the management of the structure, hardware and software that the District uses to allow access to information technologies for educational purposes. These include:

developing and implementing an Electronic Information Access and Use Policy

developing and enforcing use regulations at each network site

defining the rights/responsibilities of Users

providing resources that support the mission of the School District

assigning and removing of member accounts on the network(s)

providing training and information on new technologies, software and media as they are acquired and put into use in the District

maintaining and repairing of equipment that comprise the network(s)

selecting software that the network will support

setting quota limits for disk usage by users of the District servers (Internet and LAN)

establishing procedures for disabling or otherwise modifying any technology protection measures

The District will designate a system administrator who will manage the system and make the final determination as to what is inappropriate use based on the Electronic Information Access and Use Policy. The system administrator may close an account at any time for infractions. The system administrator may also temporarily remove a user account on the network to prevent further unauthorized activity.

The system administrator has the right to view, modify or remove a user's electronic mailbox. This access shall be used to preserve network integrity or to prevent prohibited activity.

The system administrator may review audit trails created by information technologies. The system administrator may determine and uncover incorrect usage of the network and may also inform other faculty members and the user in question.

Leslie Public Schools will implement filtering software intended to block minors' access to materials that are obscene, child pornography, harmful to minors, or that the District determines to be inappropriate for minors. However, the District does not guarantee that school officials will control users access to such materials, or that users will not have access to such materials while using the District's information technologies. Use of the network or any information obtained via the network is at the users own risk. The filtering software operates only within the District wide area network (WAN) or local area network (LAN). The filtering software does not operate during dial-up access.

The District does not take responsibility for resources located or actions taken by the users that do not support the purposes of the School District.

It shall be the responsibility of all members of the District staff to supervise and monitor usage of the online computer network and access to the Internet in accordance with this policy and the Children's Internet Protection Act.

The following people may be users of the Leslie Public Schools Network:

Leslie Public Schools Network Users Users of the network will be granted access to appropriate services offered by the network. In addition, the following people may be account holders or members of the Leslie Public Schools network:

1. Students. Students who are currently enrolled in the District may be granted a network account upon agreement to the terms stated in this policy.

2. Faculty and Staff. Staff members currently employed by the District may be granted a network account upon agreement to the terms stated in this policy.

3. Others. Anyone may request a special account on or use of the District network. These requests will be granted on a case-by-case basis, depending on need and resource availability.

Privileges and Responsibilities of Leslie Public Schools Technology Users Privileges

Users have the privilege to:

use all authorized hardware and software for which they have received training to facilitate learning and enhance educational information exchange.

access information from outside resources which facilitate learning and enhance educational information exchange.

access District networks and the Internet to retrieve information to facilitate learning and enhance educational information exchange.

User Responsibilities

Users are responsible for:

using information technologies in the school only for facilitating learning, appropriate personal growth and enhancing educational information exchange consistent with the purposes of the school

attending appropriate training sessions in the use and care of hardware, software and networks

seeking instruction for the use of any available technology with which they are not familiar

adhering to the rules established for the use of hardware, software, labs and networks in the school or through remote access outside of the school

refraining from disclosing, using or disseminating personal identification information regarding students over the Internet without parent or guardian authorization

maintaining the privacy of passwords and are prohibited from publishing or discussing passwords. Network accounts are to be used only by the authorized owner of the account for the authorized purpose

students may use e-mail, chat, instant messaging, and other forms of two-way electronic communications only for educational purposes and only under the direct supervision of an adult. Use of these forms of communication should be rare, and should be for the purpose of facilitating learning and enhancing educational information exchange.

having all electronic media scanned for virus, dirt, damage or other contamination which might endanger the integrity of District hardware, software or networks before they are used in District systems

material received, created or distributed using information technologies

maintaining the integrity of the electronic messaging system (voice, e-mail, etc.), deleting files or messages if they have exceeded their established limit, reporting any violations of privacy and making only those contacts which facilitate learning and enhance educational information exchange. If a user remains in non-compliance, the System Administrator may delete files and messages, freeze the account, and/or close the account.

keeping material considered pornographic by the District, inappropriate files or files dangerous to the integrity of the school's network, equipment or software from entering the school via the Internet or from being reproduced in audio, visual, digital or written format or any other present or future format

awareness of and adhering to copyright laws and guidelines and trademark laws and applicable licensing agreements in the use of information technologies and in the transmission or copying of text or files on the Internet or from other resources. Users must also comply with all other applicable laws, both state and federal, with respect to their use of the District's information technologies

using caution (Buyer Beware) when considering the purchase of goods or services over the Internet. Leslie Public Schools is not liable for any financial obligations made nor any personal information provided while using District information technologies.

financial restitution for unauthorized costs incurred or damages or repair necessitated by inappropriate use or access

any damages to, or incurred on, their personal equipment. Users accessing Leslie Public Schools information technologies on personal equipment do so at their own risk

abiding by the rules set forth in this policy, general District rules, and additional rules as may be established by the District. Board of Education policies, staff manuals, departmental procedures, and student handbooks may include such rules.

Users are prohibited from:

Illegally copying, sending, or distributing any copyrighted software, work, or other material.

Using the District equipment for anything contrary to law, or to solicit others to break any law.

Using District information technologies to draft, send, publish, download or receive inappropriate communications and material including but not limited to, items which are sexually explicit, obscene, profane, vulgar, harassing, threatening, racially or ethnically offensive, abusive, defamatory or otherwise which violates or infringes on the rights of any person or is prohibited by law.

Using the network for any commercial purpose or financial gain.

Using the network for any advertisement or solicitation without approval from the Superintendent or designee

Vandalizing District or any other information technologies (the District's or any others) . Vandalism is defined as any attempt to inappropriately access, harm, destroy, or disrupt or hack the operation of the District's information technologies or any data of any user on the district network. Vandalism includes, but is not limited to, the creation or intentional receipt or transmission of computer viruses

Accessing, attempting to access, modifying, transferring, duplicating, or deleting any record or file without permission or authorization

Using electronic mail to send unsolicited bulk, chain, broadcast, harassing, anonymous, or other messages, which are commonly considered an annoyance to recipients or degrade system performance.

Using vulgarity, obscenity, or swearing in messages or electronic postings, or sending e mail / message "flames" or other attacks including hate mail and discriminatory remarks.

Attempting to access material or sites that are blocked by the district, or attempt to use the network while access privileges are suspended.

Using identification or a password not specifically assigned to them by the network administrator

Using computer system for recreational games unless expressly approved by the administrator

E-mail and chat room access for students is prohibited.

Consequences of Inappropriate Behavior

The school District's system is not a public forum and access to technology is a privilege and not a right. Any user who does not comply with the Information Access and Use Policy will be disciplined including, but not limited to:

loss of network privileges

permanent termination of network privileges

suspension

expulsion

prosecution

financial restitution

Challenges

Challenges to District information technologies and resources shall be made in writing and shall state the reasons for the challenge. A District appointed panel shall review the challenge and determine its appropriateness.

Leslie Public Schools Electronic Information Access and Use for Educational Purposes Member Responsibility Declaration

Leslie Public Schools has developed an Electronic Information Access and Use for Educational Purposes Policy for the Internet, local and wide area networks, computers and related equipment. Access and use of the Internet, local and wide area networks, computers and related equipment is a privilege for the user.

Members having accounts on Leslie Public Schools network should be advised that they might locate material that could be considered offensive or controversial. Parents of minors should be aware of the existence of such materials and monitor home usage of the system. Students knowingly bringing or downloading such material into the school environment will be dealt with according to the discipline policies of the school district and such activities may result in termination of their account on Leslie Public Schools network.

Users may be required to make full financial restitution including reasonable attorney fees for any damages to educational technology or unauthorized expenses incurred through the use of educational technology. Users are responsible for all charges and fees, including outside telephone, printing and merchandise purchasing made through the network. The district is not a party to such transactions and shall not be liable for any costs and damages, whether direct or indirect, rising out of network transactions by the user.

My signature on the district permission form indicates that:

I have read, understand and will abide by the attached Electronic Information Access and Use Policy.

I agree to be responsible for and abide by all rules and regulations of this agreement.

I understand that should I commit any violation, my privileges may be revoked and school disciplinary action and/or appropriate legal action may be taken. This may also involve financial restitution.

I hereby release Leslie Public Schools and its operators and sponsors, its faculty and staff and all organizations, groups and institutions with which the Leslie Public Schools is affiliated for any and all claims of any nature arising from my use, my child's use or inability to use the Leslie Public Schools Network.

I recognize it is impossible for Leslie Public Schools to restrict access to all inappropriate or copyrighted materials and I will not hold them responsible for materials acquired on the network.

I consent to unrestricted release of work / materials / records which my child may voluntarily or accidentally place in public access storage areas on the district network / Internet.

I have discussed this with my parent / child and request Internet access in accordance with these rules and policies.

I understand that his access is designed for educational purposes.

(If you are a student of Leslie Public Schools, a parent or guardian must also read and sign this agreement)