4526 R1
REGULATIONS FOR DISTRICT EMPLOYEE COMPUTER NETWORK ACCEPTABLE USE
The intent of this Acceptable Use Regulation is to provide rational guidelines for the appropriate use of the district’s computing and networking facilities, including both hardware and software. The regulation assumes an attitude of cooperation, good will and appropriate network "etiquette" on the part of district administrators, faculty, staff and students using our technology facilities. The regulation also recognizes that deliberate, malicious misuse of these facilities has been, and will likely continue to be rare. The approach of this regulation is, therefore, one of broad guidelines rather than restrictive control.
Interpretation, application and possible modification of this Acceptable Use Regulation shall be within the sole province of the Rye City School District. The Rye City School District will be able to provide better service for users of its computing facilities if this regulation is followed.
General Principles
1. The computer and networking facilities of the Rye City School District support instructional research, public service and other intellectual pursuits by administrators, faculty and staff in the performance of their jobs and consistent with the district’s mission.
2. The district’s networks will be used to increase district intracommunication,
enhance productivity and assist district employees in upgrading their skills through greater exchange of information with their peers. The system will also assist the district in sharing information with the local community, including parents, social services, government agencies and business.
3. All district administrators, faculty and staff have a responsibility to become
familiar with the acceptable use policies for students, and with specific guidelines and consequences for misuse of district technology as published in the student handbook for each grade level, and to do their best to ensure adequate supervision to maintain executed student use agreements. The district has two student acceptable use regulations as follows: a) Rye Elementary School; Grades K-5 Internet Acceptable Use Regulation and b) Rye Middle/High School; Grades 6-12 Internet Acceptable Use Regulation.
4. All district administrators, faculty and staff have a responsibility to become
familiar with this acceptable use regulation and any implementing regulations.
5. The holder of a computer USER ID and password is responsible for protecting
district facilities from unauthorized access by keeping the password confidential and by changing it regularly.
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4526 R1 page 2
6. The holder of a computer USERID account shall be liable for any misuse of
District facilities which takes place using that account.
7. The Rye City School District reserves the right to disable a computer account
During periods of investigation and review, as well as to gain access to the user’s private correspondence or files. An attempt will be made to notify the user of such inspection whenever possible.
Acceptable Use
Generally, any computing or network activities that fall within these general principles are considered acceptable use of the Rye City School District’s computer and networking facilities.
Unacceptable Use
1. Illegal Activities and/or Unacceptable Uses
a. Users will not attempt to gain unauthorized access to the district system or to any other computer system through the district system, or to go beyond their authorized access. This includes attempting to log in through another person’s account or access another person’s files.
b. Users will not make deliberate attempts to disrupt the computer system
performance or destroy data by spreading computer viruses or by any other
means.
c. Users will not use the district system for personal use, commercial use and/or partisan political activity with regard to school related matters, such as the budget vote, referenda and Board elections.
2. Respecting Resource Limits
a. Users shall use the system only for educational and/or professional and/or career development activities and limited, high quality personal research relating to these categories.
b. Users may not download large files unless absolutely necessary. If necessary, users may download the file at a time when the system is not being heavily used and immediately remove the file from the computer or network drive to disk.
c. Copyrighted material may not be placed on any computer connected to the district’s computer network system without appropriate legal authorization to do so. Copyrighted materials shall only be used in accordance with the "fair use" doctrine of federal copyright law.
d. Users may not post chain letters or engage in "spamming." Spamming is sending an annoying or unnecessary message to a large number of people.
e. Users are not permitted to subscribe to discussion group mail lists.
f. Users should check their e-mail frequently and delete unwanted messages promptly.
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3. Inappropriate Access to Material
Users may not use the district system to access material that is profane or obscene (pornography), that advocates illegal acts, is defamatory, or that advocates violence or discrimination towards other people.
System User’s Rights
1. Search and Seizure
a. System users have a limited privacy expectation in the contents of their personal files (including e-mail) and records of on-line activity on the district system.
b. Routine maintenance and monitoring of the system may lead to discovery that a user has violated this regulation and/or the law.
c. An individual search will be conducted if there is reasonable suspicion that a user has violated this regulation or the law. The investigation will be reasonable and related to the suspected violation.
2. Due Process
a. The District will cooperate fully with local, state or federal officials in any investigation related to any illegal activities conducted through the network system.
b. In the event there is a claim that this regulation or the law has been violated in the use of the network system, the user will be provided with notice and an opportunity to be heard.
Violations
Users of the district’s computer network system are required to comply with this regulation and any implementing regulations on use of the computer network system. Any user whom the district identifies as a security risk, or who is discovered to have violated this regulation and regulations may have his/her computer access and related privileges suspended and/or revoked. Further, disciplinary action, as appropriate, may be taken consistent with law and any applicable collectively negotiated agreements. In addition, if a violation of law has occurred, legal action may be taken.
Distribution of Regulation
This regulation shall be distributed to each administrator, faculty and staff member and shall be provided to each new employee upon hire.
Adoption Date: July 1, 2001
References: Board of Education Policy 4526
Elementary School Acceptable Use Document 4525 R2
Middle School/High School Acceptable Use Document 4526 R3