NEPN/NSBA CODE: GCSA-R

MSAD #15 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

APPROVED 1/16/08

 

EMPLOYEE COMPUTER AND INTERNET USE RULES

 

These rules accompany Board policy GCSA Employee Computer and Internet Use. Each employee is responsible for his/her actions and activities involving District computers, networks and Internet services, and for his/her computer files, passwords and accounts. These rules provide general guidance concerning the use of the District’s computers and examples of prohibited uses. The rules do not attempt to describe every possible prohibited activity by employees. Employees who have questions about whether a particular activity or use is prohibited are encouraged to contact a building administrator or the Director of Technology.

 

A.        Consequences for Violation of Computer Use Policy and Rules

 

            Failure to comply with Board policy GCSA, these rules and/or other procedures or rules governing computer use may result in disciplinary action, up to and including           termination. Illegal use of the District’s computers will also result in referral to law enforcement.

 

B.        Access to School Computers, Networks and Internet Services

 

                        The level of employee access to District computers, networks and Internet services is based upon specific job requirements and needs. Unauthorized access to secure            areas of the District’s computers and networks is strictly prohibited.

 

C.        Acceptable Use

 

            MSAD #15’s computers, networks and Internet services are provided to employees for administrative, educational, communication and research purposes consistent with the District’s educational mission, curriculum and instructional goals. All Board policies, school rules and expectations for professional conduct and communications apply when employees are using the District’s computers, networks and Internet services.

 

D.        Personal Use 

 

            District computers, network and Internet services are provided for purposes related to school programs and operations, and performance of their job responsibilities.        Incidental personal use of school computers is permitted as long as such use: 1) does not interfere with the employee’s job responsibilities and performance; 2) does not interfere with system operations or other system users; and 3) does not violate this policy and the accompanying rules, or any other Board policy, procedure or school rules. “Incidental personal use” is defined as use by an individual employee for occasional personal communications.

 

            E.        Prohibited Uses

 

           Examples of unacceptable uses which are expressly prohibited include, but are not   limited to, the following:

1.     Accessing, using, submitting, posting, publishing, forwarding, downloading, scanning or displaying defamatory, abusive, obscene, vulgar, sexually explicit, sexually suggestive, threatening, discriminatory, harassing and/or illegal materials.

 

2.     Using the District’s computers, networks and Internet services for any illegal activity or in violation of any Board policy or school rules. The District assumes no responsibility for illegal activities of employees while using school computers.

 

3.     Copying, downloading or sharing any type of copyrighted materials (including music or films) without the owner’s permission (see Board policy/procedure EGAD- Copyright Compliance). The District assumes no responsibility for copyright violations by employees.

 

4.     Downloading or installing software or applications without permission from the Director of Technology. Unauthorized copying of software is illegal and may subject the copier to substantial civil and criminal penalties. The District assumes no responsibility for illegal software copying.

 

5.     Using the District’s computers, networks and Internet services for non-school-related purposes such as private financial gain; commercial, advertising or solicitation purposes; or any other personal use not connected with the educational program or assignments.

 

6.     Sharing passwords, using other users’ passwords, and accessing or using other users’ accounts.

 

7.     Any malicious use, disruption or harm to the District’s computers, networks and Internet services, including but not limited to hacking activities and creation/uploading of computer viruses.

 

8.     Any inappropriate communications, including those directed towards students or minors.

 

9.     Any attempt to access unauthorized sites, or any attempt to disable or circumvent the District’s filtering/blocking technology.

 

10.  Failing to report a breach of computer security to the Director of Technology.

 

11.  Using school computers, networks and Internet services after such access has been denied or revoked.

 

12.  Any attempt to delete, erase or otherwise conceal any information stored on a school computer that violates these rules or other Board policies or school rules, or refusing to return computer equipment issued to the employee upon request.

 

13.  Any use as a forum for communicating by e-mail or any other medium with other school users or outside parties to solicit, proselytize, advocate or communicate the views of an individual or non-school sponsored organization; or to raise funds for any non-school sponsored purpose, whether profit or not-for-profit. No employee shall knowingly provide school e-mail addresses to outside parties whose intent is to communicate with school employees, students and/or their families for non-school purposes. Employees who are uncertain as to whether particular activities are acceptable should seek further guidance from the building principal or other appropriate administrator.

 

14.  Any communication that represents an employee’s personal view as those of the District or that could be misinterpreted as such.

 

15.  Sending mass e-mails to school users or outside parties for school or non-school purposes without the permission of the Director of Technology or building administrator.

 

F.       No Expectation of Privacy

 

            MSAD #15 computers remain under the control, custody and supervision of the District at all times. The District reserves the right to monitor all computer and Internet activity by employees and other system users. Employees have no expectation of privacy in their use of school computers, including e-mail, stored files and Internet access logs.

 

G.        Disclosure of Confidential Information

 

                        Employees are expected to use appropriate judgment and caution in communications concerning students and staff to ensure that personally identifiable information remains confidential.

 

         H.        Employee/Volunteer Responsibility to Supervise Student Computer Use

 

            Employees and volunteers who use school computers with students for instructional purposes have a duty of care to supervise such use. Teachers, staff members and volunteers are expected to be familiar with the District’s policies and rules concerning student computer and Internet use and to enforce them. When, in the course of their duties, employees or volunteers become aware of a student violation, they are expected to stop the activity and inform the building principal.

 

     I.     Compensation for Losses, Costs and/or Damages

 

      The employee is responsible for compensating the District for any losses, costs or damages incurred by the District for violations of Board policies and school rules while the employee is using District computers, including the cost of investigating such violations. The District assumes no responsibility for any unauthorized charges or costs incurred by an employee while using District computers.

 

J.     Employee Acknowledgment Required

 

Each employee authorized to access the District computers, networks and Internet services is required to sign an acknowledgment form stating that they have read policy GCSA Employee Computer and Internet Use and these rules. The acknowledgment form will be retained in the employee’s personnel file.

 

Cross Reference:         GCSA – Employee Computer and Internet Use

EGAD – Use of Copyright Materials

IJNDA – Policy Governing Maine Learning Technology Initiative

EMPLOYEE COMPUTER/INTERNET USE ACKNOWLEDGMENT FORM

 

No employee shall be allowed to use school computers or the Internet until he/she has signed and returned this acknowledgment.

 

I have read policy GCSA Employee Computer and Internet Use and GCSA-R Employee Computer & Internet Use Rules and understand their terms and conditions.

 

 

___________________________________                          ______________________________

Signature                                                                                 Date

 

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