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Adoption Date: 9/1/2012, Revised: 9/19/2016Regulations - Regulations
6410R STAFF USE OF COMPUTERIZED INFORMATION RESOURCES
The District's computer system (DCS hereafter) is provided for staff to enhance the educational programs of the District, to further District goals and objectives; and to conduct research and communicate with others.
Generally, the same standards of acceptable staff conduct which apply to any aspect of job performance shall apply to use of the DCS. The standards of acceptable use as well as prohibited conduct by staff accessing the DCS, as outlined in District policy and regulation, are not intended to be all-inclusive. The staff member who commits an act of misconduct which is not specifically addressed in District policy and/or regulation may also be subject to disciplinary action, including loss of access to the DCS as well as the imposition of discipline under the law and/or the applicable collective bargaining agreement. Legal action may also be initiated against a staff member who willfully, maliciously or unlawfully damages or destroys property of the District.
Staff are encouraged to utilize electronic communications in their roles as employees of the District. Staff are also encouraged to utilize electronic means to exchange communications with parents/guardians or homebound students, subject to appropriate consideration for student privacy. Such usage shall be limited to school related issues or activities. Communications over the DCS are often public in nature; therefore, general rules and standards for professional behavior and communications will apply.
The District's policies and accompanying regulations on staff and student use of computerized information resources establish guidelines for staff to follow in instruction and in working with students on acceptable student use of the DSC, including access to external computer networks.
Privacy Rights
Staff data files, email and electronic storage areas shall remain
District property, subject to District control and inspection. The computer coordinator may access all such files and communications without prior notice to ensure system integrity and that users are complying with requirements of District policy and accompanying regulations. Staff should NOT expect that information stored on the DCS will be private.
Prohibitions
It is not the intention of this regulation to define all inappropriate usage. However, in addition to the general requirements of acceptable staff behavior, activities which shall be prohibited by staff members using the DCS include, but are not limited to, the following:
1) Using the DCS which in any way results in unauthorized charges or expense to the District.
2) Damaging, disabling or otherwise interfering with the operation of computers, computer systems, software or related equipment through physical action or by electronic means.
3) Using unauthorized software on the DCS.
4) Changing, copying, renaming, deleting, reading or otherwise accessing files or software not created by the staff member without express permission from the computer coordinator.
5) Violating copyright law, including the illegal file sharing of music, videos and software.
6) Employing the DCS for commercial purposes, product advertisement or political lobbying.
7) Disclosing an individual password to others or using others' passwords.
8) Sharing confidential information on students and employees with unauthorized agencies.
9) Sending or displaying offensive messages or pictures.
10) Using obscene language.
11) Harassing, insulting, bullying, threatening or attacking others.
12) Engaging in practices that threaten the DCS (e.g., loading files that may introduce a virus).
13) Violating regulations prescribed by the network provider.
14) Use of the DCS for other than school related work or activities.
15) Assisting a student to violate District policy and/or regulation, or failing to report knowledge of any student violations of the District's policy and regulation on student use of computerized information resources.
16) Use which violates any other aspect of Marcus Whitman Central School District policy and/or regulations, as well as local, state or federal laws or regulations.
Any user of the DCS that accesses another network or other computer resources shall be subject to that network's acceptable use policy.
Sanctions
The computer coordinator will report inappropriate behavior to the staff member's supervisor who will investigate. Any other reports of inappropriate behavior, violations or complaints will be routed to the staff member's supervisor for appropriate action. Violations may result in a loss of access to the DCS and/or disciplinary action. When applicable, law enforcement agencies may be involved.
Notification
All staff will be given a copy of the District's policies on staff and student use of computerized information resources and the regulations established in connection with those policies. Each staff member will sign an Acceptable Use Agreement (Form #6410F) before establishing an account or continuing their use of the DCS.
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