FILE: EFA
COMPUTER ACCESS AND USE
The Concordia Parish School Board believes it is necessary for all persons to become aware of the acceptable use of computers. Any person using computers or other electronic information resources shall be required to use such equipment in a responsible, legal matter. The Concordia Parish School Board retains the right to monitor all computer usage and files for compliance to all regulations and/or procedures.
USE OF THE INTERNET
The Internet is a vast global computer network that provides access to major universities around the world, government agencies, other school systems, and commercial providers of data banks. The Concordia Parish School Board shall establish appropriate guidelines for exploring and using Internet resources within the school district to enhance learning and teaching activities. The Board shall incorporate the use of computer-related technology or the use of Internet service provider technology designed to block pornographic, pervasively vulgar, excessively violent, or sexually harassing information or material. Sites which contain information on the manufacturing of bombs or other incendiary devices shall also be prohibited.
It shall be the policy of the Concordia Parish School Board that any use of the Internet that adversely affects its operation in pursuit of teaching and learning or jeopardizes its use or performance for other community members is prohibited and may result in loss of Internet privileges, suspension of the student, or other appropriate disciplinary action. The Concordia Parish School Board does not condone the use of the Internet for any illegal or inappropriate activities and shall not be responsible for any such use by staff or students.
Students may use the Internet only under the direct supervision of a teacher or other professional designated by the teacher.
As required by the Federal Child Internet Protection Act, the Concordia Parish School Board uses state-of-the-art Internet filtering to prevent access to inappropriate materials and web sites that are not widely considered to be of educational value.
USE OF INTERNET REGULATIONS
The Concordia Parish School Board provides access to the Internet to students, teachers, staff and administrators. The Board believes that there are appropriate regulations to maximize effective educational use of the Internet and minimize abuse of the opportunity being provided to our schools. Ethical, efficient, and legal use of any network is the key to a successful linkage with the Internet. Accordingly, regulations for participation by anyone on the Internet shall include but not be limited to the following:
E-Mail and Telecommunications
All employees desiring to use telecommunication tools signify by their acceptance of an e-mail account their willingness to adhere to School Board policy. Failure to adhere to Board policies and these guidelines may result in loss of the electronic mail account and access to the Internet and may lead to further disciplinary action up to and including termination. Furthermore, any activity that may be in violation of local, state and federal laws will be reported to the appropriate law enforcement agency. This policy also applies to the use of private e-mail accounts when access is attained using School Board equipment or networks and to access through any authorized personal digital device while on School Board property.
Communication over networks is not private. Network supervision and maintenance may require review and inspection of directories or messages. Messages may sometimes be diverted accidentally to a designation other than the one intended. The School System reserves the right to access stored records in cases where there is reason to suspect wrongdoing or misuse of the system. Courts have ruled that old messages may be subpoenaed, and network supervisors may examine communications in order to ascertain compliance with network guidelines and acceptable use.
In general, employees are expected to communicate in a professional manner consistent with state laws governing the behavior of school employees and with federal laws governing copyright. Electronic mail and telecommunications are not to be utilized for unauthorized disclosure, use or dissemination of personal identification or confidential information regarding any student or employee.
Employees shall not post any e-mail or other message or materials on school or district networks or the Internet that are indecent, vulgar, lewd, slanderous, abusive, threatening, sexually harassing, or terrorizing.
Employees shall not abuse or waste network resources through frivolous and non-educational use or send chain letters or annoying or unnecessary letters to large numbers of people.
In general, student use of networks and telecommunications resources must be for educational purposes and conform to school system rules of behavior.
Student use of e-mail, chat rooms, net meeting rooms, and other forms of direct electronic communication including instant messaging systems is prohibited unless authorized and directly supervised by a teacher. School system rules prohibiting indecent, vulgar, lewd, slanderous, abusive, threatening, sexually harassing, or terrorizing language apply to all forms of electronic communications.
Students shall not post any e-mail or other messages or materials on school or district networks or the Internet that are indecent, vulgar, lewd, slanderous, abusive, threatening, sexually harassing, or terrorizing.
Students shall not post personal information about themselves (last name, addresses, or telephone numbers) or any other person.
Students shall not abuse or waste network resources through frivolous and non-educational use or send chain letters or annoying or unnecessary letters to a large number of people.
Students must adhere to policies in the Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook as well as any other applicable policy; as well as local, state and federal law.
INTERNET AND WORLD WIDE WEB
Use (of the Internet and World Wide Web) is for educational and research purposes or to conduct legitimate business of the Concordia Parish School Board. Access by any employee or student to visual depictions that are obscene, pornographic, or harmful to minors is strictly forbidden.
Employee Access to Networks and the Internet – It is the responsibility of all employees to know and adhere to school system policies regarding networks and the Internet.
Employees shall not access visual depictions that are obscene, pornographic or harmful to minors over the Internet.
Employees shall not attempt to gain unauthorized access, including so-called "`hacking" or engage in any other unlawful conduct online, including willfully introducing a computer virus, worm, or other harmful program to the network.
Employees shall observe copyright laws and fair use guidelines.
Employees shall not download non-work related files and may not access or download files from sites delivering streaming audio or video except from educational databases.
Student Access to Networks and the Internet
Teachers shall ensure that the use of Internet resources is consistent with curriculum objectives of the school system.
Teachers shall preview and evaluate learning resources including Internet sites prior to recommending them for student use.
Teachers shall direct and supervise student access to Internet resources identified through tools such as age-appropriate search engines, directories, resource lists, and newsgroups. Teachers shall provide appropriate guidance and instruction to students in the use of those sites that have not been evaluated by the teacher.
Students shall use World Wide Web search engines and/or other Internet tools only under the direction and supervision of teachers or other professionals.
Students shall not access visual depictions that are obscene, pornographic or harmful to minors over the Internet.
Students shall not attempt to gain unauthorized access, including so-called "hacking" or otherwise compromise any computer or network security or engage in any illegal activities on the Internet, including willfully introducing a computer virus, worm, or other harmful program to the network.
Students shall observe copyright laws and fair use guidelines. Students shall not plagiarize or otherwise use copyrighted material without permission. Students shall properly cite the source of Information accessed over the Internet.
Students shall not make any purchase on the Internet while using school equipment or Internet service.
Students who may inadvertently access a site that is pornographic, obscene, or harmful to minors shall immediately disconnect from the site and inform the teacher.
SECURITY
If a security problem is discovered, the user shall notify a system administrator immediately.
A security problem shall not be shared with other users.
Attempts to log on as another user shall result in cancellation of privileges.
Any user identified as a security risk or having a history of problems with other computer systems may be denied access.
VANDALISM/HARASSMENT
Vandalism and/or harassment shall result in the cancellation of the offending user's privilege.
Vandalism is defined as any malicious attempt to harm or destroy data of another user, the Internet or other networks. This includes, but is not limited to, creating and/or uploading computer viruses.
Harassment is defined as the persistent annoyance of another or the interference in another user's work. This includes, but is not limited to, the sending of unwanted mail such as chain letters.
PENALTIES
All regulations are applicable to all users of the network. Each computer user in the Concordia Parish School District shall be required to sign an Acceptable Use of the Internet Agreement which shall acknowledge that the user understands and agrees to abide by all provisions governing the use of computers and access and the use of the Internet in the Concordia Parish Schools. These provisions reflect an agreement of the parties and shall be governed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of Louisiana and the United States of America.
The School Board may suspend or terminate any student's privilege to use the Internet at any time solely at the School Board's discretion. The policy of the School Board defining use of the Internet serves as guidelines, but does not warrant or guarantee access to or use of the Internet. Consequently, the School Board may at any time and in its sole discretion end the privileges of any individual student or of all students to use the Internet without notice, cause, or reason.
Misuse of the District computers may result in possible prosecution and will require restitution or costs associated with District restoration, hardware, or software costs.
Any user violating these provisions, applicable by State and Federal Laws and District rules shall be subject to loss of network privileges and any other system disciplinary options, including criminal prosecution and disciplinary action by the Superintendent. These actions may include suspension without pay or termination of employment.
WARRANTIES
The Concordia Parish School Board makes no warranties of any kind, whether expressed or implied, for the service it is providing. The Concordia Parish School Board shall not be responsible for any damages a user may suffer, including loss of data. The Concordia Parish School Board shall not be responsible for the accuracy or quality of information obtained through any school system Internet connection.
Revised: August, 1999
Revised and Recoded: November, 2004
Ref: 20 USC 7131 (Internet Safety)
La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§17:81, 17:100.7
Board minutes, 8-10-04, 12-14-04, 1-11-05
Concordia Parish School Board