2361 ACCEPTABLE
USE OF COMPUTER NETWORK/COMPUTERS AND RESOURCES (M)
M
The Board of
Education recognizes that as telecommunications and other new technologies
shift the manner in which information is accessed, communicated and transferred
that those changes will alter the nature of teaching and learning. Access
to telecommunications will allow pupils to explore databases, libraries,
Internet sites, bulletin boards and the like while exchanging information with
individuals throughout the world. The Board supports access by pupils to
information sources but reserves the right to limit in school use to materials
appropriate to educational purposes. The Board directs the Chief School
Administrator to effect training of teaching staff members in skills appropriate
to analyzing and evaluating such resources as to appropriateness for
educational purposes.
The Board also
recognizes that telecommunications will allow pupils access to information
sources that have not been pre-screened by educators using Board approved
standards. The Board therefore adopts the following standards of conduct for
the use of computer networks and declares unethical, unacceptable or illegal
behavior as just cause for taking disciplinary action, limiting or revoking
network access privileges and/or instituting legal action.
The Board
provides access to computer network/computers for educational purposes
only. The Board retains the right to restrict or terminate pupil access
to the computer network/computers at any time, for any reason. The Board
retains the right to have district personnel monitor network activity, in any
form necessary, to maintain the integrity of the network and ensure its proper
use.
Standards for Use of Computer Networks
Any individual
engaging in the following actions when using computer networks/computers shall
be subject to discipline or legal action:
A. Using
the computer network(s)/computers for illegal, inappropriate or obscene
purposes, or in support of such activities. Illegal activities are
defined as activities that violate federal, state, local laws and
regulations. Inappropriate activities are defined as those that violate
the intended use of the network. Obscene activities shall be defined as a
violation of generally accepted social standards for use of publicly owned and
operated communication vehicles.
B. Using
the computer network(s)/computers to violate copyrights, institutional or third
party copyrights, license agreements or other contracts.
C. Using
the computer network(s) in a manner that:
1. Intentionally
disrupts network traffic or crashes the network;
2. Degrades
or disrupts equipment or system performance;
3. Uses
the computing resources of the school district for commercial purposes,
financial gain or fraud;
4. Steals
data or other intellectual property;
5. Gains
or seeks unauthorized access to the files of others or vandalizes the data of
another user;
6. Gains
or seeks unauthorized access to resources or entities;
7. Forges
electronic mail messages or uses an account owned by others;
8. Invades
privacy of others;
9. Posts
anonymous messages;
10. Possesses
any data which is a violation of this policy; and/or
11. Engages
in other activities that do not advance the educational purposes for which computer
networks/computers are provided.
Internet Safety/Protection
The school
district is in compliance with the Children’s Internet Protection Act and has
installed technology protection measures for all computers in the school
district, including computers in media centers/libraries, that block and/or
filter visual depictions that are obscene as defined in Section 1460 of Title
18, United States Code; child pornography, as defined in Section 2256 of Title
18, United States Code; are harmful to minors including any pictures, images,
graphic image file or other visual depiction that taken as a whole and with
respect to minors, appeals to a prurient interest in nudity, sex, or excretion;
or depicts, describes, or represents in a patently offensive way, with respect
to what is suitable for minors, sexual acts or conduct; or taken as a whole,
lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value as to minors.
The school
district will certify on an annual basis, that the school, including media
centers/libraries, in the district are in compliance with the Children’s
Internet Protection Act and the school district enforces the requirements of
this policy.
This Policy
also establishes Internet safety policy and procedures in the district as
required in the Neighborhood Children’s Internet Protection Act. Policy
2361 addresses access by minors to inappropriate matter on the Internet and
World Wide Web; the safety and security of minors when using electronic mail,
chat rooms, and other forms of direct electronic communications; unauthorized
access, including “hacking” and other unlawful activities by minors online;
unauthorized disclosures, use, and dissemination of personal identification
information regarding minors; and measures designed to restrict minors’ access
to materials harmful to minors.
Notwithstanding
blocking and/or filtering the visual depictions prohibited in the Children’s
Internet Protection Act, the Board shall determine other Internet material that
is inappropriate for minors. The Board will provide reasonable public
notice and will hold one annual public hearing during a regular monthly board
meeting or during a designated special board meeting to address and receive
public community input on the Internet safety policy - Policy and Regulation
2361.
Consent Requirement
No pupil shall
be allowed to use the computer network and the Internet unless they shall have
filed a consent form signed by the pupil and his/her parent(s) or legal
guardian(s).
Violations
Individuals
violating this policy shall be subject to the consequences as indicated in
Regulation No. 2361 and other appropriate discipline, which includes but are
not limited to:
1. Use
of the network only under direct supervision;
2. Suspension
of network privileges;
3. Revocation
of network privileges;
4. Suspension
of computer privileges;
5. Revocation
of computer privileges;
6. Suspension
from school;
7. Expulsion
from school; and/or
8. Legal
action and prosecution by the authorities.
N.J.S.A.
2A:38A-3
Federal
Communications Commission: Children’s Internet Protection Act.
Adopted:
12 March 2007
Revised:
9 February 2009