Adoption Date: 06/22/2021

History: 10/11/22 (updated), 02/22/22 (reviewed), 12/13/22 (reviewed), 12/12/23 (reviewed), 2/13/24 (updated), 5/13/25 (reviewed), 7/28/26 (updated)

General

The following rules and regulations govern the use of the school district's computer network system, employee access to the Internet, and management of computerized records:

• Employees will be issued a school district e-mail account. Passwords must meet current district password standards.
• Each individual in whose name an access account is issued is responsible at all times for its proper use.
• Communications with parents and/or students must be made on a school district email or other district-approved platform, unless in the case of an emergency.
• Employees cannot have an expectation of privacy in the use of the school district’s network and technology.
• Use of computer resources in ways that violate the acceptable use and conduct regulation, outlined below, will be subject to discipline, up to and including discharge.
• Off-site access to the school district computer network will be determined by the superintendent or designee in conjunction with appropriate personnel.
• Network users identifying a security problem on the school district's network must notify appropriate staff. Any network user identified as a security risk or having a history of violations of school district technology use guidelines may be denied access to the school district's network.
• Employees are representatives of the district at all times and must model appropriate character, both on and off the worksite. This applies to material posted with personal devices and on personal websites and/or social media accounts. Posted messages or pictures which diminish the professionalism or discredit the capacity to maintain respect of students and parents may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination if the content posted is found to be disruptive to the educational environment and adversely impacts the employee’s ability to effectively serve as a role model or perform his/her job duties for the district. The type of material that would affect an employee’s ability to serve as an appropriate role model includes, but is not limited to, text or depictions involving hate speech, nudity, obscenity, vulgarity or sexually explicit content. Employee communications with students should be limited as appropriate. If there is any uncertainty, employees should consult their building administrator.
• Employee email shall be preserved for one year after separation from the District. Employees holding an administrative position shall have email preserved for three years after separation from the district.

Prohibited Activity and Uses 

The following is a list of prohibited activities for all employees concerning use of the school district's computer network. Any violation of these prohibitions may result in discipline, up to and including discharge, or other appropriate penalty, including suspension or revocation of a user's access to the network.

• Using the network for commercial activity, including advertising, or personal gain.
• Infringing on any copyrights or other intellectual property rights, including copying, installing, receiving, transmitting or making available any copyrighted software on the school district network. See Policy 605.7, Use of Information Resources for more information.
• Using the network to receive, transmit or make available to others obscene, offensive, or sexually explicit
  material
• Using the network to receive, transmit or make available to others messages that are racist, sexist, and abusive or harassing to others.
• Use of another’s account or password.
• Attempting to read, delete, copy or modify the electronic mail (e-mail) of other system users.
• Forging or attempting to forge e-mail messages.
• Engaging in vandalism. Vandalism is defined as any malicious attempt to harm or destroy school district equipment or materials, data of another user of the school district’s network or of any of the entities or other networks that are connected to the Internet. This includes, but is not limited to, creating and/or placing a virus on the network.
• Using the network to send anonymous messages or files.
• Revealing the personal address, telephone number or other personal information of oneself or another person.
• Intentionally disrupting network traffic or crashing the network and connected systems.
• Installing personal software or using personal disks on the school district’s computers and/or network without permission.

Other Technology Issues 

Employees should contact students and their parents through the school district computer or phone, unless in the case of an emergency or with prior consent of the principal. In addition to the methods listed above, the district also utilizes a staff-to-family communication tool called TalkingPoints. All staff can use the TalkingPoints website or mobile application to send messages to families who will receive them in their preferred language as text messages. Employees should not release their cell phone number, personal e-mail address, etc. to students or their parents. TalkingPoints can be used via a mobile device without having to share personal contact information.