Acceptable Use Policy
The Board of Education recognizes as new technologies shift the manner in which information is accessed, communicated, and transferred; these changes will alter the nature of teaching and learning. Access to technology will allow pupils to explore databases, libraries, Internet sites, and bulletin boards while exchanging information with individuals throughout the world. The Board supports access by pupils to these information sources but reserves the right to limit in-school use to materials appropriate for educational purposes. The Board directs the Superintendent to effect training of teaching staff members in skills appropriate to analyzing and evaluating such resources as to appropriateness for educational purposes.
The Board also recognizes technology allows pupils access to information sources that have not been pre-screened by educators using Board approved standards. The Board therefore adopts the following standards of conduct for the use of computer networks and declares unethical, unacceptable, or illegal behavior as just cause for taking disciplinary action, limiting or revoking network access privileges, and/or instituting legal action.
The Board provides access to computer networks/computers for educational purposes only. The Board retains the right to restrict or terminate pupil access to computer networks/computers at any time, for any reason. School district personnel will monitor networks and online activity to maintain the integrity of the networks, ensure their proper use, and ensure compliance with Federal and State laws that regulate Internet safety.
Standards for Use of Computer Networks
Any individual engaging in the following actions when using computer networks/computers shall be subject to discipline or legal action:
- Using the computer networks/computers for illegal, inappropriate or obscene purposes, or in support of such activities. Illegal activities are defined as activities that violate Federal, State, local laws and regulations. Inappropriate activities are defined as those that violate the intended use of the networks. 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.
- Using the computer networks in a manner that:
- Intentionally disrupts network traffic or crashes the network;
- Degrades or disrupts equipment or system performance;
- Uses the computing resources of the school district for commercial purposes, financial gain, or fraud;
- Steals data or other intellectual property;
- Gains or seeks unauthorized access to the files of others or vandalizes the data of another person;
- Gains or seeks unauthorized access to resources or entities;
- Forges electronic mail messages or uses an account owned by others;
- Invades privacy of others;
- Posts anonymous messages;
- Possesses any data which is a violation of this Policy; and/or
- Engages in other activities that do not advance the educational purpose for which computer networks/computers are provided.
Consent Requirement
No pupil shall be allowed to use the school districts’ computer networks/computers and the Internet unless they have filed a consent form signed by the pupil and his/her parent(s) or legal guardian(s). These forms are signed in the student information system's Parent Portal 🔗 the first year of enrollment.
Violations
Individuals violating this Policy shall be subject to the consequences as indicated in Regulation 2361 and other appropriate discipline, which includes but are not limited to:
- Use of the network only under direct supervision;
- Suspension of network privileges;
- Revocation of network privileges;
- Suspension of computer privileges;
- Revocation of computer privileges;
- Suspension from school;
- Expulsion from school; and/or
- Legal action and prosecution by the authorities.
Adopted 🔗 on March 18, 2014 by the Red Bank Board of Education