General Criteria

The availability  of Internet access  in the School  District provides  an opportunity  for staff and students  to access  information  and contribute  to the School  District's  presence  on the  World Wide Web. The District/school/classroom websites must relate to curriculum or instructional matters, school authorized  activities,  or general  information  of interest to the public pertaining to the District  or its schools. Staff and students are prohibited  from publishing personal  home pages or links to personal home pages as part of the District/school/classroom Web Page(s). Similarly, no individual or outside organization will be permitted to publish personal Web Pages as part of the District/school/classroom Web Page(s).

Internet access for the creation of Web Pages is provided by the District Personnel  designing information for the Web Pages must familiarize themselves with and adhere to District standards and procedures. Failure to follow District standards or responsibilities may result in disciplinary sanctions in accordance with law and/or the applicable collective bargaining agreement.

Content Standards

a)      Approval  for  posting  a  Web  Page  must  be  obtained  from  the  Superintendent or  his/her designee(s). If at any time, the Superintendent or his/her designee(s)  believes the proposed material does not meet the standards approved  by the District, it will not be published on the Web. Decisions regarding   access   to  active   Web   Pages   for  editing   content   or   organization   will   be  the responsibility of the Superintendent designee(s).

b)     A Web Page must be sponsored  by a member of the District faculty, staff or administration  who will be responsible for its content, design, currency and maintenance. The sponsor  is responsible for ensuring that those constructing and maintaining the Web Page have the necessary technical training and that they fully understand and adhere to District policies and regulations. The Web Page must include the name of the sponsor. 

c)    Staff or student  work should  be published  only as it relates to a school/classroom  authorized project or other school-related  activity, and in compliance  with any and all relevant laws, rules, and regulations. And in compliance with student data privacy policies and photo release agreements.

d)    The review of a Student Web Page (if considered a school-sponsored  student publication) shall be subject to prior District review as would any other school-sponsored student publication.

e)       An  authorized  teacher  who  is publishing  the  final  Web  Page(s)  for  himself/herself  or  for  a student  will edit and  test the  Page(s)  for accuracy  of  links and  check  for conformance  with District standards and practices.

f)    Commercial advertising  or marketing on the District/school/classroom Web Page(s) (or the use of school-affiliated  Web Pages for the pursuit of personal or financial gain) shall be prohibited unless  otherwise  authorized  in  accordance  with  law  and/or  regulation.  Decisions  regarding website advertising must be consistent with existing District policies and practices on this matter.

g)      The District may provide links to web pages of student or community interest, provided the organizations are noncommercial in nature, subject to the Superintendent’s approval, and in conformance with existing District policies and practices on this matter.  District web pages may mention such outside organizations only in the context of school programs that have a direct relationship to those organizations  (e.g., sponsorship  of an activity, student community service project).

h)     Web  Pages  may  include  faculty  or  staff  names;  however,  other  personal  information  about employees including, but not limited to, home telephone numbers, addresses, or other identifying information such as names of family members may only be published only with the employee's written permission.

i)        All  Web  Pages  must  conform  to  the  standards  for  appropriate  use  found  in  the  District's Acceptable  Use  Policy(ies)  and  accompanying  Regulations  regarding  standards  of acceptable use; examples  of  inappropriate  behavior; and  compliance  with  applicable  laws,  privacy,  and safety concerns.

j)      All staff and/or  students  authorized  to publish  material  on the District/school/classroom  Web Page(s) shall acknowledge receipt of the District's Web Page Standards and agree to comply with same prior to posting any material on the Web.

Release of Student Education Records/Directory Information

The District will not permit students' personally identifiable  information  to be posted on any District Web Pages unless such action is consistent  with the Family Educational  Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and District policy #7242 Student Directory.

 Bus Schedules

 Online posting of school bus schedules is prohibited on school-affiliated  websites as such information can pose risks of child abduction or other security concerns. Password protected websites may be authorized by the Superintendent/designee.  

Use of Copyrighted Materials and "Fair  Use" Exceptions 

Copyrighted Materials

All employees and students are prohibited from posting materials on the web site not specifically allowed by Copyright  law. Web Page publications must include a statement of copyright when appropriate and  indicate that  permission  has been secured  when  including  copyrighted materials. 

Consequences for Non-Compliance with Policy 

The District reserves the right to remove unauthorized materials from any posting or web page.

 Web Pages that do not comply with the above criteria are subject to revocation of approval and removal from the District/school/classroom websites.  

Faculty or staff posting non-approved, inappropriate or copyrighted material in violation of policy, law and/or regulation on a school-affiliated  website are subject to discipline,  including possible suspension  or revocation of access to the District's computer network, in accordance  with law and applicable  collective  bargaining agreements. In the case that a violation may constitute a criminal offense, it will be reported to the appropriate authorities. Additionally, users who post copyrighted material in violation of laws and regulations are personally responsible for any fines or legal action taken against them for such posting. 

Students

 In the  case  that  a  violation  may  constitute  a criminal  offense,  it will  be  reported  to  the appropriate authorities.District Code of Conduct. Students  posting  unapproved  or  inappropriate  material  on  a  school-affiliated   website  are subject to discipline,  including possible suspension or revocation of access to the District's computer network, in accordance  with applicable due process procedures and the

Oversight

 The Superintendent  of Schools or his/her designee shall have the authority  to approve or deny the posting of any proposed Web Pages on school-affiliated  websites based upon compliance with the terms and conditions set forth in this policy as well as applicable District practices and procedures.

Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA), 17 USC Sections 101 et seq., 512 and 1201 et seq.

Family Educational  Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, 20 USC Section 1232(g)

34 CFR Parts 99 and 201