• EDE: Computer Online Services Acceptable Use and Internet Safety for Students and Staff

    Policy

    Scope and Purpose

    This policy applies to all students and staff authorized to use or access the District’s technology resources.

    The District provides access to technology to enhance the district's instructional program and efficiency. The Board recognizes that careful planning is essential to ensure the successful, equitable, and cost-effective implementation of technology-based materials, equipment, systems, and networks.

    This policy is established to promote the use of technology resources to lead to a safe and worthwhile educational experience for all. District technology resources are an element of the District’s educational mission and vision.

    Technology is provided to students and staff as a privilege, not a right. Utilization of the District’s technology resources by students and staff must support and be consistent with the District’s educational objectives. When utilizing the network, all students and staff must adhere to the provisions of this policy and other local, state, and federal laws.

    Computers and use of the District network or online services support learning, enhance instruction, and assist in administration. For purposes of this policy, the District’s Technology Resources include the District network or online services as well as District-owned desktop computers, laptops, tablets, and other mobile computing devices.

    All technology resources must be used responsibly, efficiently, ethically, and legally. Failure to adhere to this policy and the guidelines below may result in the revocation of the user’s access privilege.

    Definitions

    Account. Any directory services account or another set of credentials consisting of a unique username and password collectively designed to authenticate the user's identity to provide access to CMSD technology resources.

    Parent. A natural or adoptive parent or other person acting in the capacity of a parent (step-parent, grandparent, guardian, etc.).

    Staff Member. Any employee of CMSD, any contractor employed by a company providing paid services to CMSD, or any employee or contractor of a charter school under the supervision of CMSD.

    Student. Any individual enrolled in a class at any CMSD school or CMSD supervised charter school.

    Technology Resource(s). Any local area network; wide area network; internet or any telecommunications service, whether wired or wireless that is used to access the internet or any information source that is or is not owned or controlled by CMSD; or any computing device, regardless of the operating system or form factor.

    Visitor. Any non-employee of CMSD accessing any technology resource within any facility owned by CMSD or occupied and used by CMSD staff members.

    Users. An individual or a collective group comprised of students, staff members, and visitors.

    Authorization for Use

    Use of the District’s technology resources sources will be permitted upon submission and approval of authorization form(s) by students and staff members.

    Annually, a student who wishes to have computer network and internet access during the school year must read the acceptable use and Internet safety policy and submit a properly signed agreement form. Students and staff are asked to sign a new agreement each year after reviewing the policies and regulations of the District.

    These policies and regulations also apply to the use of District-owned devices or accessing the District intranet off District property.

    Violations of the terms and conditions stated in the authorization agreement may revoke the user’s access privileges and/or disciplinary action.

    Acceptable Use

    Examples of acceptable use include but are not limited to the following:

    • Researching in furtherance of District or educational objectives
    • Communicating broadly and effectively
    • Accessing and publishing appropriate data, information, and resources
    • Participating in collaborative efforts

    Prohibited Use

    Prohibited uses of technology resources include but are not limited to:

    • Violating the conditions of state and federal law dealing with students’ and employees’ rights to privacy, including unauthorized disclosure, use, and dissemination of personal information
    • Improperly accessing files, data, or information of others, including reposting (forwarding) personal communication without the author’s prior consent
    • Granting internet or network access to unauthorized persons, or failing to notify the IT department if you suspect someone of using your password or credentials
    • Displaying, uploading, or otherwise distributing photographs or videos of employees or individuals not affiliated with the District without the individual's prior consent, unless the individual is a historical or public figure
    • Using profanity, obscenity, or other language that may be offensive to another user or intended to harass, intimidate or bully other users
    • Transmitting materials that are offensive, threatening, or that otherwise are intended to harass or demean recipients, including jokes that are intended to offend, harass or intimidate or other material which is based on slurs or stereotypes relating to race, gender, ethnicity, age, nationality, religion, sexual orientation or disability
    • Using the Internet to create, access, or transmit information that is obscene or vulgar, that advocates dangerous or illegal acts, or that advocates violence or hatred toward any group
    • Using the network or Internet to send messages relating to or in any way supporting illegal activities such as the sale or use of drugs or alcohol; support of criminal or gang activity; threats, intimidation, or harassment of any other person
    • Plagiarizing, i.e., stealing and passing off the ideas or words of another as one's own without crediting the author
    • Engaging in copyright infringement; copying commercial software or other material in violation of copyright law (copyrighted materials include, but are not limited to, writings, articles, web pages, designs, music, videos, and software);
    • Accessing personal social networking websites for non-educational purposes
    • Using the network for financial gain, for commercial activity, or any illegal activity
    • “Hacking” or gaining unauthorized access to other computers or computer systems, or attempting to gain such unauthorized access
    • Vandalizing or destroying equipment or deleting computer files
    • Accessing and/or viewing inappropriate material, including but not limited to obscene, pornographic, or other inappropriate material (students and staff should notify a supervisor or IT Department if you receive such material)
    • Downloading of freeware or shareware programs to the device

    Network Etiquette

    All students and staff authorized to use the District network are expected to abide by the generally accepted rules of network etiquette. These standards of conduct include, but are not limited to the following:

    • Be polite and respectful
    • Use appropriate language
      • The use of abusive language, profanity, vulgarities, or any other inappropriate language is prohibited
    • Harassment is unacceptable and prohibited
    • Cyberbullying is prohibited
    • Students and staff should not reveal their addresses or telephone numbers or those of other students and staff
    • Electronic mail (email) is not guaranteed to be private, and technology coordinators have access to all messages relating to or in support of illegal activities, and such activities may be reported to the authorities
    • The network should not be used to disrupt the use of the network by others.
    • All communications and information accessible via the network should be assumed to be the property of the District
    • Users shall not use the system to encourage the use of drugs, alcohol, or tobacco, nor shall they promote unethical practices or any activity prohibited by law or Board policy

    Review and Monitoring

    The District reserves the right to monitor, inspect, copy, review and store at any time and without prior notice any results of usage of computers, network and/or internet access, and any and all information transmitted or received in connection with such use. This includes information contained in online services provided by the district. All such information shall be and remain the property of the District, and users shall have no expectation of privacy regarding such materials. The creator of original works may retain specific rights to use as applicable under U.S. copyright law. Students and staff shall maintain and protect the confidentiality of any confidential information housed, processed, or maintained by the District. This includes but is not limited to account information, passwords, and personal information.

    Because access to online services provides connections to other computer systems located worldwide, users (and parents of users under 18 years old) must understand that neither the school nor the District can control the content of the information available on these systems. Some of the information available is controversial and sometimes offensive.

    The District does not condone the use of such materials. Employees, students, and parents of students must be aware that the privileges to access online services are withdrawn from users who do not respect the rights of others or who do not follow the rules and regulations established. A user’s agreement is signed to indicate the user’s acknowledgment of the risks and regulations for computer/online services use. The District has implemented technology-blocking measures that protect against access by both adults and minors to obscene visual depictions, child pornography, or, concerning the use of computers by minors, harmful to minors. The District has also purchased monitoring devices that maintain a running log of internet activity, recording which sites a particular user has visited.

    Children’s Internet Protection Act

    The Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) requires school districts that receive federal funds to purchase computers, direct access to the internet under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, or receive universal E-rate service discounts and internet services under the Communications Act to adopt implement and maintain computer use policies to prevent students from viewing objectionable material that addresses these issues:

    • Access by minors to inappropriate matter on the internet
    • Access by both adults and minors to obscene visual depictions and child pornography on the internet
    • The safety and security of minors when using electronic mail, chat rooms, and other forms of direct electronic communications
    • Unauthorized access, including "hacking" and other unlawful activities by minors online
    • Unauthorized disclosure, use, and dissemination of personal information regarding minors
    • Measures designed to restrict minors' access to materials harmful to minors
    • Educating minors about appropriate online behavior, including interacting with other individuals on social networking websites and in chat rooms and cyberbullying awareness and response

    The District educates minors about appropriate online behavior, including interacting with other individuals on social networking websites and cyberbullying awareness and response.

    Security

    Under CIPA, the District uses an internet content filter to prevent access to prohibited material. Bypassing the content filter without authorization is strictly prohibited. CMSD has procedures to evaluate requests from users to block or unblock sites as necessary.

    Security on District networks is a high priority, especially when the telecommunications environment involves many users. To minimize data security issues, students and staff are required to follow the following procedures:

    • If an Internet/network security issue is identified, the user must notify the IT Department (do not try to demonstrate the problem to others.)
    • Do not attempt to log on as a system administrator
      • This action will result in the cancellation of privileges
    • A user with a history of clicking/accessing phishing or malicious emails may be denied access to the District network until they have taken an official District offered cyber security class and successfully passed the associated examination(s)
      • The District reserves the right to take further disciplinary actions
    • Do not conduct mass e-mailing of unsolicited or unwanted messages ("spamming"), including text, software, video images, and graphics
    • Do not use anonymous proxies to circumvent District implemented content filtering
    • Do not knowingly or inadvertently load or create a computer virus or load any software that destroys files and programs, confuses users, or disrupts the performance of the system
    • Do not install third-party software without the consent of your assigned administrator
    • Do not share your passwords or another person’s accounts or passwords
    • An authorized person may disable technology protection measures
      • This will be done only by information technology management during adult computer usage to enable internet access for research or other lawful purposes
    • Do not participate in hacking/cracking activities or any form of unauthorized access to other computers, networks, or information systems

    Attorney-Client Privileged Communications

    Some of the messages sent, received, or stored on the District e-mail system will constitute confidential, privileged communications between the District and its internal or external attorneys. Upon receiving a message either from or to counsel, the content should not be forwarded to others inside the District without counsel’s authorization. Such messages or their contents should never be forwarded to any outsiders. Violation of this policy may result in discipline up to and including termination.

    Confidentiality of Student and Personal Information

    Personally identifiable information concerning students may not be disclosed or used in any way on the internet without the permission of a parent or guardian or, if the student is 18 or older, the consent of the student. Users should also never provide private, confidential information about themselves or others on the internet, such as credit card or social security numbers.

    Consequence for Improper Use

    The act of signing the acceptable use policy authorization agreement and/or accessing the internet through the District's network signifies that the staff member will comply with the provisions of this policy. Inappropriate use by a student or staff member may result in their access privileges being taken away or other disciplinary action.

    History

    • Adopted: February 20, 2018
    • Amended: February 22, 2022

    Legal References