4526-R
Ossining Union Free School
District
COMPUTER
NETWORK ACCEPTABLE USE POLICY FOR STAFF
O.W.L. Net (Ossining Wired for Learning Network)
REGULATION
The following rules and regulations govern the use
of the District’s Computer Network System (O.W.L.Net) and access to the
Internet:
I.
Administration
· The Superintendent of Schools
will designate an administrator to oversee the District Computer Network -
O.W.L.Net.
· The administrator shall will
monitor and examine all network activities, as appropriate, to ensure proper
use of the system.
· The administrator will be
responsible for disseminating and interpreting district policy and regulations
governing use of the District’s Computer Network – O.W.L.Net at each building
level with all network users.
· The administrator will
coordinate staff training for proper use of the network and will ensure that
staff supervising students using O.W.L.Net provide similar training to their
students, including providing copies of District policy and regulations
governing the use of O.W.L.Net.
· The administrator will be
designated to establish a process for setting up individual and class accounts,
establish a District virus protection process, and maintain the hardware in
accordance with the service agreement.
· All student agreements to
abide by District policy and regulations will be kept on file in each
respective building.
II.
Internet Access
· Only authorized users may use
District computers and O.W.L.Net.
· Staff will be provided with
an individual account and password. Passwords are not to be shared.
· Staff are not to participate in chat
rooms, instant messaging, or access social networking sites except for
professional purposes such as the exchange of ideas and information relative
relating to research.
· Staff may not access hot mail
personal and/or web-based e-mail, with the exception of the District’s
GroupWise Web-based e-mail, which is to be used for school purposes.
· Staff may not construct their
own personal non-school related web pages using the District’s computer
resources.
· Staff may not create and post
any personal non-school related podcasts or blogs.
· Staff will immediately inform
a system administrator if they receive information which is inappropriate or
makes them feel uncomfortable.
III.
Acceptable Use and Conduct
· Access to O.W.L.Net
(including the Internet/e-mail) is provided for educational purposes and
research consistent with the District’s mission and goals.
· Use of O.W.L.Net is a
privilege, not a right. Inappropriate use may result in the suspension or
revocation of that privilege.
· Each individual in whose name
an access account is issued is responsible at all times for its proper use. If
a staff member notices a violation of his/her account, the network
administrator should be notified immediately.
· All network users will be
issued a logon name and a password. Passwords are not to be shared. Passwords
may be changed periodically.
· E-mail should be used
primarily for business, school and curriculum-related projects, and shall not
be used in violation of these or any other District policies in any respect.
Users will check their e-mail regularly and delete messages promptly.
· Only those staff with written
permission from the principal and/or administrator may access O.W.L. Net from
off-site (e.g., from home, when this service becomes available).
· Staff will only use school
approved software or view material on the Internet that is in accordance with
District Policy.
· All staff are
expected to abide by the generally accepted rules of network etiquette. This
includes being polite and using only appropriate language. Abusive language,
vulgarities and swear words are all inappropriate.
· Staff identifying a security
problem on O.W.L. Net must notify an administrator. Under no circumstance
should the user demonstrate the problem to anyone other than to the District
official or employee being notified. Staff will not go looking for security
problems, because this may be construed as an illegal attempt to gain access.
· Staff identified as a
security risk or having a history of violations of District computer use
guidelines may be denied access to O.W.L. Net.
IV.
Prohibited Activity and Uses
The following is a list of
prohibited activity concerning use of the District’s Computer Network –
O.W.L.Net (including use of the Internet/e-mail). Violation of any of these
prohibitions may result in discipline or other appropriate penalty, including
suspension or revocation of a staff member’s access to the network:
·
Unauthorized sharing of confidential information on students or
employees.
·
Using the network for commercial activity, including advertising.
·
Using chat rooms, instant messaging or accessing any social networking
sites.
·
Creating or posting any personal non-school related podcasts or blogs.
·
Constructing any personal non-school related web pages using the
District’s computer resources.
·
Accessing personal and/or web-based e-mail, with the exception of the
District’s GroupWise Web-based e-mail, which is to be used
for school purposes.
·
Infringing on any copyrights or other intellectual property rights, including
copying, installing receiving, transmitting or making available any copyrighted
software on O.W.L.Net.
·
Downloading software or saving any type of file on O.W.L. Net or
workstations without permission from a system administrator.
·
Using the network to receive, transmit or make available to others
obscene, offensive, racist, harassing, violent, discriminatory or sexually
explicit material. Staff may access the above material only in the context of
legitimate research.
·
Posting chain letters or engaging in “spamming.” (Spamming is sending annoying, unnecessary,
or inappropriate messages to a large number of people.)
·
If a staff member inadvertently accesses inappropriate information, the
user should immediately notify a system administrator to protect against a
claim that the user intentionally violated the Acceptable Use Policy.
·
Using inappropriate language in private messages, public messages and
material posted on Web pages.
·
Using another user’s account or password.
·
Attempting to read, delete, copy or modify the electronic (e-mail) of
other system users and deliberately interfering with the ability of other
system users to send and/or receive e-mail.
·
Forging or attempting to forge e-mail messages.
·
Engaging in vandalism. Vandalism is defined as any malicious attempt to
harm or destroy District equipment or materials, data of another user of
O.W.L.Net or of any of the entities or other networks that are connected to the
Internet. This includes, but is not limited to creating and/or placing a
computer virus on the network.
·
Using the network to assist a campaign for election of any person to
any office or for the promotion of or opposition to any ballot proposition,
excluding student elections at Anne
M. Dorner
Middle School and Ossining High School.
·
Revealing the personal address, telephone number or other personal
information of another person without his/her permission.
·
Intentionally disrupting network traffic or crashing the network and
connected systems.
·
Installing personal software on the District’s computers or O.W.L. Net
without the permission of the appropriate district official or employee.
·
Using District computing resources for commercial or financial gain or
fraud.
·
Stealing data, equipment or intellectual property.
·
Gaining or seeking to gain unauthorized access to any files, resources,
computer or phone systems, or vandalize the data of another user.
·
Wastefully using finite District resources.
·
Using O.W.L.Net while access
privileges are suspended or revoked.
·
Using O.W.L.Net in a fashion
inconsistent with generally accepted network etiquette.
V.
No Privacy Guarantee
All users of the District’s Network – O.W.L.Net should not expect, nor
does the District guarantee privacy for electronic mail (e-mail) or any use of
O.W.L.Net. The District reserves the right to access and view any material
stored on District equipment or any material used in conjunction with
O.W.L.Net.
VI.
Sanctions
All users of the District’s Network – O.W.L.Net and equipment are
required to comply with the District’s policy and regulations governing
O.W.L.Net. Failure to comply with the policy or regulation may result in
disciplinary action as well as suspension and/or revocation of computer access
privileges.
In addition, illegal activities are strictly prohibited. Any information pertaining to or implicating
illegal activity will be reported to the proper authorities. Transmission of
any material in violation of any federal, state and/or local law or regulation
is prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to materials protected by copyright,
threatening or obscene material or material protected by trade secret. Users
must respect all intellectual and property rights and laws.
VII.
District Responsibilities
The District makes no warranties of any kind, either expressed or
implied, for the access being provided. Further, the District assumes no
responsibility for the quality, availability, accuracy, nature, or reliability
of the service and/or information provided. Users of O.W.L.Net (including the
Internet) use information at their own risk. Each user is responsible for
verifying the integrity and authenticity of the information that is used and
provided.
The District will not be responsible for any damages suffered by any
user, including but not limited to, loss of data resulting from delays,
non-deliveries, misdeliveries or service
interruptions caused by its own negligence or the errors or omissions of any
user.. The District also will not be responsible for
unauthorized financial obligations resulting from the use of or access to
O.W.L.Net (including the Internet/e-mail).
Further, even though the District may use technical or manual means to
regulate access and information, these methods do not provide a foolproof means
of enforcing the provisions of the District policy and regulation.
VIII.
Property Rights
The District has the right to specify who uses its equipment and the
information contained therein, under what circumstances, and to what purpose.
Equipment purchased by the District belongs to the District and/or to BOCES and
employees, volunteers, and students in the District do not have ownership
rights to any equipment loaned to them by the District. Extensive use of
District equipment and software for private or personal business is strictly
prohibited and will subject the violator to disciplinary action. No person will
have exclusive use of District equipment unless authorized by the
Superintendent.
IX.
Due Process
The District will cooperate fully with local, state, or federal
officials in any investigation concerning to or relating to any illegal
activities conducted through O.W.L.Net (including the Internet). Employee
violations of the District Acceptable Use Policy will be handled in accordance
with District policy and the contractual and disciplinary provisions applicable
to that employee.
X.
Academic Freedom, Selection
of Material, Student Rights to Free Speech
Ossining School Board policies on Academic Freedom and Free Speech will
govern the use of the Internet. When using the Internet for class activities,
teachers will select material which that is appropriate in light of the age of
the students and that is relevant to the course objectives. Teachers will
preview the materials and sites they require or recommend for student access to
determine the appropriateness of the material contained in or accessed through
the site. Teachers will provide guidelines and lists of resources to assist
their students in channeling their research
activities effectively and properly. Teachers will assist their students in
developing the skills to ascertain the truthfulness of information, distinguish
fact from opinion, and engage in discussions about controversial issues while
demonstrating tolerance and respect for those who hold divergent views.
XI.
District Web Site
The District has established a District Web Site (http://www.ossiningufsd.org)
and will continue to develop and update Web pages that will provide information
about the District. An administrator will be designated as responsible for
coordinating and maintaining the District Web Site. School/Class Web Pages may
be established to present information about the school or class activities. The
administrator will coordinate with the building principals to determine the
process for maintaining each school’s respective Web pages. Teachers will work
with the administrator for to developing and maintaining any special class Web
pages. Students will be encouraged to contribute to the development of Web
pages and updating the District Web Site, but must do so under the supervision
of a school administrator/teacher. Material presented on student Web pages must
be related to the student’s educational and District activities. The District
has the right to deny the posting of information and material which is not
appropriate in accordance with District policy. In addition,
Extracurricular/Organization Web pages may be established. The building
principal will coordinate with the administrator to establish a process and
criteria for the establishment and posting of material, including links to
other sites. Material presented on the Organization Web pages must relate
specifically to the organization’s activities. P.T.A. and Community Web pages
must follow the same procedure.
XII.
Staff Notification
Upon adoption of this policy and regulation, the Superintendent shall
establish a system whereby each employee is provided with same. Thereafter,
each new employee shall be provided with a copy of the Computer Network
Acceptable Use Policy and Regulation for Staff, which is to be signed and
returned to the Office of Human Resources.
Adopted:
November 18, 1998
Revised as a First Reading: August 22, 2007
Second
Reading and
Adoption: September 26, 2007
Revised
First Reading: June 10, 2009
Second
Reading and
Adoption: July 15, 2009