IIBF   Acceptable Use Guidelines  (See IIBG, IIBGA, IIBGC)        

Purpose - The district provides computer network and internet access for its students and employees.  This service allows employees and students to share information, learn new concepts, research diverse subjects, and create and maintain school-based websites.  The district has adopted the following Acceptable Use Guidelines to govern the conduct of those who elect to access the computer network or district Internet.

Acceptable Use Guidelines - Users shall adhere to the following guidelines of acceptable use:

• All use of the Internet will be in support of educational activities.
• Users will report misuse and breaches of network security.
• Users shall not access, delete, copy, modify, or forge other users’ e-mails, files, or data.
• Users shall not use other users’ passwords nor disclose their password to others.
• Users shall not pursue unauthorized access, disruptive activities, nor other actions commonly referred to as “hacking,” internally or externally to the district.
• Users shall not disclose confidential information about themselves or others.
• User shall not utilize unlicensed software.
• Users shall not access or permit access to pornography, obscene depictions, or other materials harmful to minors.
• Students shall not disable or attempt to disable Internet filtering software.

Prohibitions -         Although the district reserves the right to determine what use of the district network is appropriate, the following actions are specifically prohibited:

• Transferring copyrighted materials to or from any district network without the express consent of the owner of the copyright.
• Use of the network for creation, dissemination, or viewing of defamatory, factually inaccurate, abusive, obscene, profane, sexually oriented, threatening, harassing, or other material prohibited by law or district policy.
• Dissemination of personnel or student information via the network when such information is protected by law, including the Family and Educational Rights Act or Student Data Privacy Act.
• Utilization of the network to disseminate non-work-related material.
• Utilization of the network as a means for advertising or solicitation.        

Monitoring -         The school district reserves the right to monitor, without prior notice, any and all usage of the computer network and district Internet access, including, but not by way of limitation, e-mail transmissions and receptions.  Any information gathered during monitoring may be copied, reviewed, and stored.  All such information files shall be and remain the property of the school district, and no user shall have any expectation of privacy regarding his/her use of the computer network or the district Internet.

Internet Safety - In compliance with the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) and the Kansas Children's Internet Protection Act, the school district will implement filtering and or blocking software to restrict access to Internet sites containing child pornography, obscene depictions, or other materials harmful to minors.  The school district, however, cannot and does not guarantee the effectiveness of filtering software.  Any student who connects to such a site must immediately disconnect from the site and notify a teacher.  An employee who accidentally connects to such a site must immediately disconnect from the site and notify a supervisor.  If a user sees another user accessing inappropriate sites, he or she should notify a teacher or supervisor immediately.  The school district administration reserves the right to prohibit access to any network or Internet it deems inappropriate or harmful. The school district shall instruct students regarding appropriate online behavior including cyberbullying.

Penalties for Improper Use -         Access to the network and Internet is a privilege, not a right, and inappropriate use will result in the restriction or cancellation of the access.  The district has the right to make the determination of what constitutes inappropriate use and use as an educational tool.  Inappropriate use may lead to any disciplinary and/or legal action, up to and including suspension and/or expulsion of district students and suspension and/or termination of employees.  Law enforcement shall be notified of inappropriate use which may constitute a violation of Federal or state law, and such use may result in criminal prosecution.  

Use of District Computers and Devices/Privacy Rights - District issued computer systems and electronic devices (including, but not limited to, Smartboards, iPads, iTouches, iPhones, eReaders, and eBooks) are for educational and professional use only.  All information created by staff or stored thereon shall be considered district property and shall be subject to unannounced monitoring by district administrators. Unauthorized access to and/or unauthorized use of the district server or security system (including, but not limited to, surveillance footage) is also prohibited.  The district retains the right to discipline any student, up to and including expulsion, and any employee, up to and including termination, for violation of this policy.

Copyright - Software acquired by staff, using either district or personal funds, and installed on district computers or electronic devices must comply with copyright laws.  Proof of purchase (copy or original) for software must be filed in the district office.

Installation - No software, including freeware and shareware, or other applications may be installed on any district computer or electronic device until cleared by the network administrator.  The administrator will verify the compatibility of the software or application with existing software, hardware, and applications and prescribe installation and deinstallation procedures.  Program files must have the superintendent’s approval to be installed on any district server or computer.  

Hardware - Staff shall not install unapproved hardware on district computers or make changes to software settings that support district hardware.

Audits - The administration may conduct periodic audits of software and applications installed on district equipment to verify legitimate use.

E-mail Privacy Rights - Employees and/or students shall have no expectation of privacy when using district e-mail or other official communication systems.  Any e-mail or computer application or information in district computers, computer systems, or electronic devices is subject to monitoring by the administration.

Ownership of Employee Computer and Device Materials - Computer materials, devices, software, or applications created as part of any assigned district responsibility or classroom activity undertaken on school time shall be the property of the board.

Lost, Stolen, or Damaged Computers and/or Equipment - Students and staff members shall be responsible for reimbursing the district for replacement of or repair to district issued computers or electronic devices which are lost, stolen, or damaged while in the students' or staff members' possession.

IIBGC Staff Online Activities (See GAF, GBU, IIBG, IIBGA, KGA)

Employees are encouraged to use district electronic mail and other district technology resources to promote student learning and communication with parents of students and education-related entities. If those resources are used, they shall be used for purposes directly related to work-related activities.  Technology-based materials, activities, and communication tools shall be appropriate for and within the range of the knowledge, understanding, age, and maturity of students with whom they are used.

District employees, including, but not limited to, classroom teachers and extracurricular activity coaches and sponsors, may set up blogs and other social networking accounts using district technological resources and following district policy and guidelines to promote communications with students, parents, and the community concerning school-related activities and for the purpose of supplementing classroom instruction.  Social networking sites and other online communication options offering instructional benefits may be used for the purpose of supplementing classroom instruction and to promote communications with students and parents concerning school-related activities.

In order for district employees and activity sponsors to utilize a social networking site for instructional, administrative, or other work-related communication purposes, they shall comply with the following:

1. They shall request prior permission from the superintendent or the superintendent’s designee.
2. If permission is granted, staff members will set up the site following any district guidelines developed by the superintendent and approved by the board.  If the expenditure of district funds is required to complete the set-up or maintenance of the site, the requesting staff member shall present an itemized summary of such costs to the superintendent.  Superintendent approval shall be required prior to the expenditure of district funds for such purpose.
3. Guidelines shall specify whether access to the site must be given to school/district administrators and technology staff.
4. If written parental consent is not otherwise granted through acceptable use policy forms provided by the district, staff shall notify parents of the site and obtain written permission for students to become “friends” of the site prior to the students being granted access. This permission shall be kept on file at the school as determined by the principal.
5. Once the site has been created, the sponsoring staff member is  responsible for the following:

1. Monitoring and managing the site to promote safe and acceptable use and compliance with district policies; and
2. Observing confidentiality restrictions concerning release of personally identifiable student information under state and federal law.

Staff members are discouraged from creating personal social networking accounts to which they invite current or future students to be friends. Employees taking such action do so at their own risk.  All employees shall be subject to disciplinary action if their conduct relating to use of technology or online resources violates this policy or other applicable board policy, statutory, or regulatory provisions governing employee conduct or the protection of student record information; or if it impairs the staff member’s job performance or effectiveness in the work setting.  District staff shall endeavor to protect the health, safety, and emotional well-being of students and confidentiality of student record information both in the school setting and in their online actions. Conduct in violation of this policy, including, but not limited to, conduct relating to the use of technology, social networking, or online resources, may form the basis for disciplinary action up to and including termination from employment.

Adopted:  USD 377 BOE – 07/13/2016