Acceptable Use of Technology by Staff

Cheney USD 268 is committed to providing staff members with access to computers, networks, the Internet, electronic mail (e-mail), and other online services that facilitate resource sharing, research, collaborative learning and communications. The use of computers, networks, the Internet, e-mail, and other online services shall be in support of education and research consistent with the district’s mission and goals.

Services. The school district encourages staff to learn to use computers, networks, the Internet, e-mail and other online services and apply these tools in appropriate ways to complete tasks associated with their job positions and assignments.

Appropriate Use. Staff members shall be responsible for displaying appropriate behavior and maintaining a productive learning environment when using district computers, networks, the Internet and other online services. Staff shall observe all copyright guidelines and laws regarding the use of materials in the classroom and by students. Staff shall communicate with telecommunication tools in a professional manner consistent with district policies governing the behavior of school staff, local, state laws and federal laws. E-mail and telecommunications shall not be improperly used to disclose confidential information about district staff or to disclose information from student education records in violation of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), 20 U.S.C. § 1232g, as amended, and its interpretive regulations, 34 C.F.R. ' 99.1, et seq. This restriction shall not apply to the district’s student information system or other district administrative software that is used by authorized staff members in a manner that complies with FERPA and its interpretive regulations.

Inappropriate Use. The following uses of district computers, networks, the Internet, e-mail and other online services shall be considered inappropriate by staff:

General

• Violating any local, state (K.S.A. 21-3755), or federal statutes;
• Accessing another staff member’s materials, information, folders or files without permission;
• Violating copyright, plagiarizing or otherwise using the intellectual property of another individual or organization without permission;
• Failing to follow a district policy while using the district’s technology or failing to follow any other policies or guidelines established by district administrators or their designees;

Internet / Email

• Transmitting obscene, abusive, sexually explicit, or threatening language;
• Accessing, uploading, downloading, or distributing pornographic, obscene, or sexually explicit material;
• Harassing, defined as persistently annoying of another, interfering with another’s work, insulting, or attacking others;
• Creating mailing lists for non-school purposes with district email addresses from the district's Internet site, network, or servers;
• Downloading software that has not been approved by district staff;
• Downloading materials from the Internet for any use other than school-related activities;
• Using the Internet not in support of education and research consistent with the purposes of Cheney USD 268;

Hardware, Software, Network

• Giving out personal passwords
• Attempting to log on or logging on to an unauthorized account with another’s' password;

· Vandalizing, defined as any unauthorized access and/or malicious attempt to damage computer hardware/software or networks or destroying the data of another user, including creating, uploading, or intentionally introducing viruses;

• Wasting storage or other technology resources intentionally;
• Using the network for commercial, advertisement or political purposes;
• Gaining unauthorized access to resources or entities;
• Invading the privacy of an unauthorized individual;
• Seeking to gain or gaining unauthorized access to information resources or other computing devices or attempting to bypass district security measures;

· Altering improperly the set up of computers (e.g., desktops, icons, wallpapers, screensavers, installed software);

• Copying illegally, installing or using software that has not been approved by district staff;

· Using district hardware, software, storage space or network for non-school-related activities;

Privacy. District-provided storage space and communications over networks should not be considered to be private. Messages may be diverted accidentally to another destination. District administrators or their designees may review folders, files and/or messages to ascertain compliance with network guidelines for acceptable use. District administrators or their designees may delete files that are not kept to a manageable storage level or are deemed inappropriate.

Student Access. District staff members who make decisions regarding student access to the Internet shall, in making such decisions, at all times consider the district’s stated educational mission and the district’s Acceptable Use of Technology by Students policy. To the extent possible, students’ use of the Internet shall be structured so that students have access to those resources that have been evaluated prior to use. District staff shall supervise students utilizing district-provided Internet access at all times. Students shall not be allowed to use electronic communications unless a signed Student Technology Access Contract is on file. A family’s right to decide whether or not to sign this contract for the student shall be supported and respected. Permission is not transferable from one student to another and may not be shared.

Security. Staff members are responsible for maintaining a safe and secure environment. They will keep passwords secure and will change passwords when directed by district administrators or their designees.

Security Risk. Any staff member identified as a security risk or having a history of problems with other computer systems may be denied access.

Copyright Law. Copyright law shall be respected for all Internet and online services.

Disclaimer. The district makes no warranties of any kind, whether express or implied, for the technology provided. The district shall not be responsible for any damages suffered, including the loss of data resulting from delays, non-deliveries, misdeliveries, or service interruptions caused by its own negligence or user errors or omissions. Use of any information obtained via the Internet is at the user’s risk. The district denies any responsibility for the accuracy or quality of information obtained through its system and is not liable for any commercial transactions conducted through its system.

Statements of Personal Belief. Any statement of personal belief found on computers, networks, the Internet, e-mail, other online services, or any other telecommunication system is the author’s individual point of view, and not that of the school district, school, or district staff. No representations to the contrary shall be published without written approval from district administrators or their designees. District administrators or their designees may review all content in any Internet site or online accounts paid for, in whole or in part, by the district or any school, without notice of any kind.

Staff Access Contract. Prior to use of school computers, networks, the Internet, other on-line services, each staff member desiring to use such account(s) shall sign an Staff Technology Access Contract. The original copy of the signed contract shall be filed in the staff member’s personnel file at the District Office. A new contract shall be signed at the beginning of each year.

Cheney USD 268 Staff Access Contract

I have read the district’s Acceptable Use of Technology by Staff policy.

I acknowledge that my use of any electronic communications provided by Cheney USD 268 are subject to and shall be conducted in compliance with this policy and all other local, state and federal laws governing the use of information, software, hardware and communications.

I understand that I have no expectation of privacy in all electronic communication messages and network storage and consent to the access and disclosure of electronic communications and stored files by authorized Cheney USD 268 staff members.

Staff Member’s Signature _____________________________________ Date ____________

Approved July 9, 2001