MSAD 5
Staff Internet Acceptable Use Policy

 
 
 
 

Employee Computer/Internet Use
Acknowledgement Form
NEPN/NSBA Code: GCSA-E
No employee shall be allowed to use school computers or the Internet until the he/she has signed and returned this acknowledgement.
 
I have read policy GCSA--Employee Computer Inernet Use and GCSA--R--Employee Computer/Internet Use Rules and understand their terms and conditions.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Printed Name of Employee
 
 
Signature of Employee Date
   
Please return the above portion with appropriate signatures to the Central Office, c/o the technology director.
 
 
 
General Policy Statement
NEPN/NSBA Code: GCSA

MSAD 5 provides computers, networks and Internet access to support the educational mission of the schools and to enhance the curriculum and learning opportunities for students and school staff.

Employees are to utilize the school unit's computers, networks and Internet services for school-related purposes and performance of job duties. Incidental personal use of school computers is permitted as long as such use does not interfere with the employee's job duties and performance, with system operations or other system users. "Incidental personal use" is defined as use by an individual employee for occasional personal communications. Employees are reminded that such personal use must comply with this policy and all other applicable policies, procedures and rules.

Any employee who violates this policy and/or any rules governing use of the school unit's computers will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including discharge. Illegal uses of the school unit's computers will also result in referral to law enforcement authorities.

All MSAD 5 computers remain under the control, custody and supervision of the school unit. The school unit reserves the right to monitor all computer and Internet activity by employees. Employees have no expectation of privacy in their use of school computers.
Each employee authorized to access the school unit's computers, networks and Internet services is required to sign an acknowledgement form (GCSA-E) stating that they have read this policy and the accompanying rules. The acknowledgement form will be retained in the employee's personnel file.

The Superintendent shall be responsible for overseeing the implementation of this policy and the accompanying rules and for advising the Board of the need for any future amendments or revisions to the policy/rules. The Superintendent may develop additional administrative procedures/rules governing the day-to-day management and operations of the school unit's computer system as long as they are consistent with the Board's policy/rules. The Superintendent may delegate specific responsibilities to building principals and others as he/she deems appropriate.

Cross Reference:
GCSA-R--Employee Computer and Interent Use Rules
IJNDB--Student Computer and Internet Use
IJNDB-R--Student Computer and Internet Use Rules
Adopted: September 27, 2001

Employee Computer and Internet Use Rules
NEPN/NSBA Code: GCSA-R

The intent of these Board-level rules is to provide employees with general requirements for utilizing the school unit's computers, networks and Internet services. The Board rules may be supplanted by more specific administrative procedures and rules governing day-to-day management and operation of the computer system.

These rules provide general guidelines and examples of prohibited uses for illustrative purposes but do not attempt to state all required or prohibited activities by users. Employees who have questions regarding whether a particular activity or use is acceptable should seek further guidance from the technology director and/or systems administrator.

Failure to comply with Board policy GCSA, these rules and/or other established procedures or rules governing computer use may result in disciplinary action, up to and including discharge. Illegal uses of the school unit's computers will also result in referral to law enforcement authorities.
A. Access to School Computer, Networks and Internet Services
The level of access that employees have to the school unit's computers, networks and Internet services is based upon specific employee job requriements and needs.
B. Acceptable Use

Employee access to the school unit's computers, networks and Internet services are provided for admistrative, educational, communication and research purposes consistent with the school unit's educational mission, curriculum and instructional goals. General rules and expectations for professional behavior and communication apply to use of the school unit's computers, networks and Internet services.

Employees are to utilize the school unit's computers, networks and Internet services for school-related purposes and performance of job duties. Incidental personal use of school computers is permitted as long as such use does not interfere with the employee's job duties and performance, with system operations or other system users. "Incidental personal use" is defined as use by an individual employee for occasional personal communications. Employees are reminded that such personal use must comply with this policy and all other applicable policies, procedures and rules.
C. Prohibited Use
The employee is responsible for his/her own actions and activities involving school unit computers, networks and Internet services and for his/her computer files, passwords and accounts. General examples of unacceptable uses that are expressly prohibited include but are not limited to the following:

1. Any use that is illegal or in violation of other Board policies, including harassing, discriminatory or threatening communications and behavior, violations of copyright laws, etc.;

2. Any use involving materials that are obscene, pornographic, sexually explicit or sexually suggestive;

3. Any inappropriate communications with students or minors;

4. Any use for private financial gain, commercial, advertising or solicitation purposes;
5. Any use as a forum for communication by e-mail or any other medium with other school users or outside parties to solicit, proselytize, advocate or communicate the views of an individual or non-school-sponsored organization; or to try to raise funds for any non-school-sponsored purpose, whether for-profit or not-for-profit. No employee shall knowingly provide school e-mail addresses to outside parties whose intent is to communicate with school employees, students and/or their families for non-school purposes. Employees who are uncertain as to whether particular activities are acceptable should seek further guidance from the building principal or other appropriate administrator.

6. Any communication that represents personal views as those of the school unit or that could be misinterpreted as such;

7. Downloading or loading software or applications without permission from the system administrator;

8. Opening or forwarding any e-mail attachments (executable files) from unknown sources and/or that may contain viruses;

9. Sending mass e-mails to school users or outside parties for school or non-school purposes without the permission of the system administrator;

10. Any malicious use or disruption of the school unit's computers, networks and Internet services or breach of security features;

11. Any misuse or damage to the school unit's computer equipment;

12. Misuse of the computer passwords or accounts (employee or other users);

13. Any communications that are in violation of generally accepted rules of network etiquette and/or professional conduct;

14. Any attempt to access unauthorized sites;

15. Failing to report a known breach of computer security to the system administrator;

16. Using school computers, networks and Internet services after such access has been denied or revoked; and

17. Any attempt to delete, erase or otherwise conceal any information stored on a school computer that violates these rules.
D. No Expectation of Privacy
The school unit retains control, custody and supervision of all computers, networks and Internet services owned or leased by the school unit. The school unit reserves the right to monitor all computer and Internet activity by employees and other system users. Employees have no expectations of privacy in their use of school computers, including e-mail and stored files.
E. Confidentiality of Information
Employees are expected to use appropriate judgement and caution in communications concerning students and staff to ensure that personally identifiable information remains confidential.
F. Staff Responsibilities to Students
Teachers, staff members and volunteers who utilize school computers for instructional purposes with students have a duty of care to supervise such use. Teachers, staff members and volunteers are expected to be familiar with the school unit's policies and rules concerning student computer and Internet use and to enforce them. When, in the course of their duties, employees/ volunteers become aware of student violations, they are expected to stop the activity and inform the building principal, technology director, system administrator or other appropriate person.
G. Compensation for Losses, Costs and/or Damages
The employee shall be responsible for any losses, costs or damages incurred by the school unit related to violations of policy GCSA ansd/or these rules.
H. School Unit Assumes No Responsibity for Unauthorized Charges, Costs or Illegal Use
The school unit assumes no responsibility for any unauthorized charges made by employees including but not limited to credit card charges, subscriptions, long distance telephone charges, equipment and line costs, or for any illegal use of its computers such as copyright violations.
I. Employee Acknowledgement Required

Each employee authorized to access the school unit's computers, networks and Internet services is required to sign an acknowledgement form (GCSA-E) stating that they have read policy GCSA and these rules. The acknowledgement form will be retained in the employee's personnel file.

Cross Reference:
GCSA--Employee Computer and Internet Use
IJNDB--Student Computer and Internet Use
IJNDB-R--Student Computer and Internet Use Rules
Adopted: September 27, 2001