FILE:  E-6.2

 

INTERNET SAFETY AND NETWORK USE

 

 

Due to the rapid spread of telecommunications throughout our society, the City of Baker School Board recognizes the importance of establishing guidelines for student and employee use of the Internet and network resources.  The School Board expects all students and employees who use computing and network resources to use these resources appropriately.  Appropriate use includes instruction, authorized research, independent research, and official work of the offices, departments, schools, and central office.  The School Board expects all employees and students to utilize these resources in appropriate ways associated with the roles and responsibilities associated with the position and responsibility aligned with work assignments and job responsibilities.

 

DEFINITIONS

 

  1. Child Pornography.  The term "child pornography" has the meaning given such terms in section 2256 of title 18, United States Code.

  2. Harmful to Minors. The term "harmful to minors" means any picture, image, graphic image, file or other visual depiction that:

 

  1. taken as a whole and with respect to minors, appeals to an unwholesome interest in nudity, sex, or excretion;

  2. depicts, describes, or represents, in a patently offensive way with respect to what is suitable for minors, an actual or simulated sex act or sexual contact, actual or simulated normal or perverted sexual acts, or a lewd exhibition of the genitals; and

  3. taken as a whole, lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value as to minors.

 

  1. Minor.   The term "minor" means an individual who has not attained the age of 17.

  2. Obscene.  The term "obscene" has the meaning given such term in section 1460 of title 18, United States Code.

  3. Sexual Act; Sexual Contact.  The terms "sexual act" and "sexual contact" have the meanings given such terms in Section 2246 of Title 18, United States Code.

 

E-MAIL AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS

 

  1. All employees desiring to use telecommunications tools signify by their acceptance of an e-mail account their willingness to adhere to School Board policy.  Failure to adhere to these guidelines may result in the loss of the electronic mail account and access to the Internet and may lead to further disciplinary action up to and including termination.  Furthermore, any activity that may be in violation of local, state, or federal laws will be reported to the appropriate law enforcement agency.  This policy also applies to the use of the private e-mail accounts when access is attained using School Board equipment or networks and to access attained through any authorized personal digital device while on the School Board property.

  2. In general, any student use of networks and telecommunication resources must be for educational purposes and conform to school system rules of behavior.

 

  1. Student use of e-mail, chat rooms, net meeting rooms, and other forms of direct electronic communication including instant messaging systems is prohibited unless authorized and directly supervised by a teacher.  School system rules prohibiting indecent, vulgar, lewd, slanderous, abusive, threatening, sexually harassing, or terrorizing language apply to all forms of electronic communications.

  2. Students shall not post any e-mail or other messages or materials on school or district networks or the Internet that is indecent, vulgar, slanderous, abusive, threatening, sexually harassing; or terrorizing.

  3. Students shall not post personal information about themselves (last name, addresses, or telephone numbers) or any other person.

  4. Students shall not abuse or waste network resources through frivolous and non-educational use or send chain letters or annoying or unnecessary letters to large numbers of people.

  5. Students must adhere to the policies in the Student Rights and Responsibilities handbook as well as any other applicable policy and local, state and federal laws.

 

  1. Communication over networks is not private.  Network supervision and maintenance may require review and inspection of directories or messages.  Messages may sometimes be diverted accidentally to a destination other than the one intended.  The school system reserves the right to access stored records in cases where there is a reasonable cause to suspect wrongdoing or misuse of the system.  Courts have ruled that messages may be subpoenaed, and network supervisors may examine communications in order to ascertain compliance with network guidelines and acceptable use.

 

  1. In general, employees are expected to communicate in a professional manner consistent with state laws governing the behavior of school employees and with federal laws governing copyright.  Electronic mail and telecommunications are not to be utilized for unauthorized disclosure, use and dissemination of personal identification or confidential information regarding any student or employee.

 

  1. Employees shall not post any e-mail or other messages or materials on school or district networks or the Internet that are indecent, vulgar, lewd, slanderous, abusive, threatening, sexually harassing or terrorizing.

  2. Employees shall not abuse or waste network resources through frivolous and non-education use or send chain letters to large numbers of people.

 

INTERNET AND THE WORLD WIDE WEB

 

  1. Use of the Internet and World Wide Web is for educational and research purposes or to conduct legitimate business of the School Board.  Access by any employee or student to visual depictions that are obscene, child pornography, or harmful to minors is strictly forbidden.

  2. Employee Access to Networks and Internet

    It is the responsibility of all employees to know and adhere to school system policies regarding networks and the Internet.  Employees shall not access visual depictions that are obscene, pornographic or harmful to minors over the Internet.

 

  1. Employees shall not attempt to gain unauthorized access, including hacking or engage in any unlawful conduct online, including willfully introducing a computer virus, worm, or other harmful program to the network.

  2. Employees shall observe copyright law and fair use guidelines.

  3. Employees shall not download non-work related files and may not load software that has not been approved.

  4. Employees shall report any inadvertent access to prohibited materials.

  5. Employees shall report any inappropriate use by employees and students, as defined under Definitions in this document, to the appropriate supervisor.

 

  1. Student Access to Networks and the Internet

 

  1. Teachers shall ensure that the use of Internet resources is consistent with curriculum objectives of the school system.

  2. Teachers shall preview and evaluate learning resources including Internet sites prior to recommending them for student use.

  3. Teachers shall direct and supervise student access to Internet resources identified through tools such as age-appropriate search engines, directories, resource lists and news groups, and provide appropriate guidance and instruction to students in the use of those sites that have not been evaluated by the teacher.

  4. Students shall use World Wide Web search engines and/or other Internet tools only under the direction and supervision of authorized personnel.

  5. Students shall not access visual depictions that are obscene, pornographic or harmful to minors over the Internet.

  6. Students shall not attempt to gain unauthorized access, including so-called "hacking," or otherwise compromise any computer or network security or engage in any illegal activities on the Internet, including willfully introducing a computer virus, worm, or other harmful program to the network.

  7. Students shall observe copyright law and fair use guidelines.  Students shall not plagiarize or otherwise use copyrighted material without permission.  Students shall properly cite the source of information accessed over the Internet.

  8. Students shall not make any purchase on the Internet while using school equipment or Internet service.

  9. Students who may inadvertently access a site that is pornographic, obscene, or harmful to minors shall immediately disconnect from the site and inform the teacher.

  10. Students have the responsibility of reporting any inappropriate or prohibited use of equipment or software by other students.

  11. Students shall not download non-work related files and may not load software that has not been approved.

 

SUPERVISION AND MONITORING

 

It shall be the responsibility of all members of the Baker School System staff to educate, supervise and monitor appropriate usage of the online computer network and access to the Internet in accordance with this policy, the Children's Internet Protection Act, the Neighborhood Children's Internet Protection Act, and the Protecting Children in the 21st Century Act.

 

Procedures for the disabling or otherwise modifying any technology protection measures shall be the responsibility of the technology coordinator or designated representatives. The technology coordinator or designated representatives will provide age appropriate training for students who use the Baker School System Internet facilities.  The training provided will be designed to promote the Baker School System's commitment to:

 

  1. The standards and acceptable use of Internet services as set forth in the Baker School Board's Internet Safety and Network Use policy;

  2. Student safety with regard to:

 

  1. safety on the Internet;

  2. appropriate behavior while on online, on social networking Web sites, and in chat rooms; and

  3. cyberbullying awareness and response.

 

  1. Compliance with the E-rate requirements of the Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA).  Following receipt of this training, the student will acknowledge that he/she received the training, understood it, and will follow the provisions of the District's acceptable use policies.

 

TECHNOLOGY PROTECTION MEASURES

 

The City of Baker School System shall use a technology protection measure that blocks and/or filters Internet access to prevent access to Internet sites that fall under any of the definitions contained in Section I of this policy.  The technology protection measure that blocks and/or filters Internet access may be disabled by an authorized individual for bona fide research purposes with the permission of the superintendent or authorized designee(s).  This disabling is permissible only for a student 17 year of age or older, or an authorized employee for the purpose as stated.

 

POLICY VIOLATIONS

 

Any violation of this policy may result in the loss of access to the Internet through the City of Baker School System.  Additional disciplinary action for employees and students will be determined in accordance with City of Baker School Board policies, and existing rules and procedures, including applicable law enforcement agencies when necessary.

 

The City of Baker School Board expects all employees and students to cooperate in good faith with established policies and rules in order to preserve the integrity of network resources and Internet access for all users.

 

Revised:  June 19, 2012

 

 

Ref:    20 USC 7131 (Internet Safety)

47 USC 254 (Children's Internet Protection Act

La. Rev. Stat. Ann. ยงยง17:81, 17:100.7

Board minutes, 2-1-00, 8-5-03, 6-19-12

 

City of Baker School Board