Acceptable Computer System Use (Policies IIBEA/GAB, IIBEA-E2/GAB-E1, IIBEAA/ GABA)

The School Board provides a computer system, including the internet, to promote educational excellence by facilitating resource sharing, innovation and communication.  The term computer system includes, but is not limited to hardware, software, data, communication lines and devices, terminals, printers, CD-ROM devices, tape or flash drives, servers, mainframe and personal computers, tablets, cellular telephones, smart telephones, the internet and other internal or external networks.

All use of the Division’s computer system must be (1) in support of education and/or research, or (2) for legitimate school business.  Use of the computer system is a privilege, not a right.  Any communication or material generated using the computer system, including electronic mail, instant or text messages, tweets, or other files deleted from a user’s account may be monitored, read and/or archived by school officials.

The Division Superintendent shall establish administrative procedures, for the School Board’s approval, containing the appropriate uses, ethics and protocol for the computer system.  The procedures shall include:

• a prohibition against use by division employees and students of the division’s computer equipment and communications services for sending, receiving, viewing or downloading illegal material via the Internet;
• provisions, including the selection and operation of a technology protection measure for the division’s computers having Internet access to filter or block Internet access through such computers, that seek to prevent access to
• child pornography as set out in Va. Code § 18.2-374.1:1 or as defined in 18 U.S.C.   
• § 2256;
• obscenity as defined by Va. Code § 18.2-372 or 18 U.S.C. § 1460; and
• material that the school division deems to be harmful to juveniles as defined in Va. Code § 18.2-390, material that is harmful to minors as defined in 47 U.S.C.
•  § 254(h)(7)(G), and material that is otherwise inappropriate for minors;
• provisions establishing that the technology protection measure is enforced during any use of the Division’s computers;
• provisions establishing all usage of the computer system may be monitored;
• provisions designed to educate students and employees about appropriate online behavior, including interacting with other students and individuals on social networking websites and in chat rooms and cyber bullying awareness and response;
• provisions designed to prevent unauthorized online access by minors, including “hacking” and other unlawful online activities; 
• provisions prohibiting the unauthorized disclosure, use, and dissemination of photographs of and/or personal information regarding minors; and
• a component of internet safety for students that is integrated in the division’s instructional program.
• Use of the School Division’s computer system shall be consistent with the educational or instructional mission or administrative function of the Division as well as the varied instructional
• needs, learning styles, abilities and developmental levels of students.  The Division’s computer system is not a public forum.

Each teacher, administrator, student and parent/guardian of each student shall sign the Acceptable Computer System Use Agreement, GAB-E1/ IIBEA-E2, before using the Division’s computer system.  The failure of any student, teacher or administrator to follow the terms of the Agreement, this policy or accompanying regulation may result in loss of computer system privileges, disciplinary action, and/or appropriate legal action.

The School Board is not responsible for any information that may be lost, damaged or unavailable when using the computer system or for any information retrieved via the Internet.  Furthermore, the School Board will not be responsible for any unauthorized charges or fees resulting from access to the computer system.

The school division assumes no responsibility for any unauthorized charges or fees as a result of using the computer system, including telephone or long-distance charges.

The School Board will review, amend if necessary, and approve this policy every two years.

Acceptable Computer System Use Agreement

Each employee must sign this Agreement as a condition for using the School Division’s computer system.  Each student and his or her parent/guardian must sign this Agreement before being permitted to use the School Division’s computer system.  Read this Agreement carefully before signing.

Prior to signing this Agreement, read Policy GAB/IIBEA, Acceptable Computer System Use and Policy GABA/IIBEAA, Administrative Procedures Governing Computer System Use.  If you have any questions about these policies, contact your supervisor or your student’s principal.

I understand and agree to abide by the School Division’s Acceptable Computer System Use Policy and Administrative Procedures Governing Computer System Use Policy.  I understand that the School Division may access and monitor, and archive my use of the computer system, including my use of the internet, e-mail and downloaded material, without prior notice to me.  I further understand that should I violate the Acceptable Use Policy or Administrative Procedures Policy, my computer system privileges may be revoked and disciplinary action and/or legal action may be taken against me.

Student/Employee Signature____________________________     Date____________________

I have read this Agreement and Policy GAB/IIBEA and Policy GABA/IIBEAA.  I understand that access to the computer system is intended for educational purposes and the Campbell County School Division has taken precautions to eliminate inappropriate material.  I also recognize, however, that it is impossible for the School Division to restrict access to all inappropriate material and I will not hold the School Division responsible for information acquired on the computer system.  I have discussed the terms of this agreement and policies with my student.

I grant permission for my student to use the computer system in accordance with Campbell County School Division’s policies and regulations and for the School Division to issue an account for my student.

Parent/Guardian Signature______________________________     Date____________________

Parent/Guardian Name_________________________________

                                                        (Please Print)

 

Administrative Procedures Governing Computer System Use

The goal of Campbell County Schools in providing Internet, computer and computer network services is to promote educational excellence by facilitating resource sharing, innovation, and telecommunications.  (In this policy, “computer” and/or “computer system” shall include, but is not limited to hardware, software, data communication lines and devices, terminals, printers, CD-ROM devices, tape or flash drives, servers, mainframe and personal computers, tablets, cellular telephones, smart telephones, the Internet and any other internal or external network.)  Access to computer services is given to staff members and students who utilize the technology resources for educational purposes and who agree to act in a considerate and responsible manner.  Access is a privilege, not a right, and it entails responsibilities.  These responsibilities include the following:

I. Communications on computers and on the network are non-confidential in nature within the school system and should not be considered to be private by staff members.  E-mail accounts or network/computer storage areas and resources are considered to be property of the school division.  Administrators may review files and communications to maintain system integrity and to ensure that users are using the system responsibly and following this policy.  Although users should not expect that files stored on division servers will be private, staff members must do everything possible to maintain privacy for other users and are expected to use network resources professionally, responsibly, and ethically.  In particular, staff members and students shall not

A. post personal information (other than professional information) about themselves or other people on the network or Internet.

B. use electronic mail or telecommunications to share confidential information about students or other employees, unless approved in advance by the Superintendent, an Assistant Superintendent, or the Director of Pupil Personnel Services.

C. attempt to gain unauthorized access to any computer system or go beyond personal authorized access.  This includes logging into the system through another person’s account or accessing another person’s files.

D. misuse or destroy data of another user.

II. The Internet and computer related resources will be used in Campbell County Schools for educational purposes and legitimate school related activities.  In particular, staff members and students shall not

A. use network resources for commercial activities, product advertisement, political lobbying, or promotion of specific religious or personal beliefs.

B. use the system, including computer equipment and communications services, to send, receive, view, download, access or transmit material that is illegal, profane, obscene, or pornographic; that advocates or constitutes illegal acts; or that advocates violence or discrimination towards other people (i.e., hate literature).

C. participate in chat room communications or access personal online mail accounts, except for specific instructional purposes, and for students, except as authorized by a teacher.

D. use resources for any purpose not related to the duties and responsibilities of the user.

III. All equipment and resources are property of Campbell County Schools and are not placed in classrooms for personal uses.  In particular, staff members and students shall not

A. install or alter software or computer systems without the permission of administrators, network administrators, or the technology staff.

B. deliberately damage computer hardware or remove it without permission.

C. borrow, copy, download, or otherwise transmit software and materials without compliance with all terms of a preauthorized licensing agreement or without approval from the network or school administrator or a member of the technology staff.

D. disrupt networked or non-networked computers by deleting or altering files, by spreading computer viruses, by hacking, or by any other means.

IV. Because telecommunications has become such an integral part of the sharing of information within the school system, staff members and students are required to check their email accounts on a regular basis.  In addition, staff members and students are expected to use technology resources in a considerate and responsible manner, respecting other users.  In particular, staff members and students shall not

A. utilize the Internet and computer related resources for uses that reduce the amount of resources available for other users.  Examples include playing music from the 

Internet, maintaining a high graphics Internet page (e.g., stock market and weather reports) on a screen for long periods, or sending mass mailings without first receiving the consent of the principal.

B. use obscene, profane, lewd, inflammatory, threatening, or disrespectful language on the system or school computers.

C. use the system or school computers to harass another person, engage in personal attacks, or post false or defamatory information about a person or organization.

V. Instructional use of computers and the Internet must take into consideration legal and ethical responsibilities.  In particular, staff members and students shall not

A. infringe on the rights of copyright owners.  Anything and everything on the Internet may be copyright-protected whether a copyright symbol is exhibited or not.  The law allows limited use of material for educational purposes; however, staff members and students should check with the school’s librarian or school administrators if in doubt about the use of material from the Internet.

B. place on the web server or computers any information that does not comply with the following guidelines:

- student photographs may be included only with parental permission.

- no student personal information (e.g., phone numbers, addresses, last names, etc.) may be used on school computers, Internet or Intranet web pages without parental permission and permission from a staff member.

- any web page placed on the web server or computers must be related to an instructional purpose, to an educational function, or to a school activity.

- staff members and students are responsible for the accuracy and appropriateness of material posted to the web server and on computers.  For example, copyrighted material should not be placed on any part of a web page without full compliance with the terms of the copyright.

VI. The instructional staff has the responsibility of the monitoring and management of student use of computers, the Internet and of network resources.  Those responsibilities include the following:

A. As in any classroom situation, staff members are responsible for the supervision and monitoring of learning activities.  Teachers need to be aware of the student’s Acceptable Use Policy and should supervise student use of technology equipment and the Internet.  Staff members shall ensure that appropriate monitoring occurs to

protect the safety and security of minors when using electronic mail, chat rooms and other forms of direct electronic communications.

B. Staff members assigning specific student Internet use will preview network resources in order to determine which are applicable to the curricular needs of the assignment and the appropriate developmental level of the student.

C. Staff members are expected to remind students of proper network etiquette and of the Acceptable Use Policy for the Internet and network resources.

D. Staff members shall ensure that the technology protection measure selected by the Director of Technology so as to comply with state and federal law, shall be enforced during any use of the school division’s computers by minors.  The purpose of the technology protection measure shall be to filter or block Internet access so as to prevent access to:

1. child pornography as set out in Virginia Code section 18.2-374.1:1 or as defined in 18 U.S.C. 2286;
2. obscenity as defined by Virginia Code section 18.2-372 or 18 U.S.C. 1460; and
3. material that the school system deemed to be harmful to juveniles as defined in Virginia Code section 18.2-396, material that is harmful to minors as defined in 47 U.S.C. 254(h)(7)(G) and material that is otherwise inappropriate for minors.

Specifically, the following technologies have been selected:

1. Cisco Pix 525 Device – Monitors incoming data to our WAN and blocks traffic that we have defined as harmful;
2. Canit – Filters incoming emails and blocks undesirable email;
3. Dans Guardian – Is a filter on Internet traffic that blocks data that we have defined as unwanted;
4. Allot’s NetEnforcer – Controls, monitors, and throttles the type and amount of traffic that flows on our WAN and LANs; and
5. Norton Antivirus – Scans each machine connected to our networks weekly for viruses and other destructive software.

VII. The School Board makes no warranties for the computer system it provides.  The School Board shall not be responsible for any damages from the use of the computer system, including loss of data, non-delivery of information or service interruptions.  The school division denies any responsibility for the accuracy or quality of information obtained through the computer system.  The users (staff members and students) agree to indemnify the School Board for any losses, costs or damages incurred by the School Board relating to or arising out of any violation of these procedures.

VIII. Computer system security is a high priority for the school division.  If any student or staff member identifies a security problem, such individual shall notify the building principal or system administrator immediately.  All users shall keep their passwords confidential and shall follow computer virus protection procedures.