Code 604.3
Exhibit A
DECORAH COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
STUDENT COMPUTER/INTERNET USAGE ACCEPTABLE USE POLICY
All of the District’s automated systems, including electronic mail, internet access and electronic storage systems, are District property, and are not confidential. The District has the right to access, review, copy, modify, and delete any information transmitted through or stored in the system, including e-mail messages, web postings, and other online communications. Files containing personal information of a student are treated no differently than the District’s other files, and the student has no expectation of privacy in such materials.
Internet access is available to students in the Decorah Community School District. The internet is an electronic highway connecting millions of computers and individual subscribers all over the world. With access to computers and people all over the world also comes the availability of material that may not be considered to be of educational value in the context of the school setting. On a global network, it is impossible to control all materials, and a user may discover controversial information. The District believes that the valuable information and interaction available on the internet far outweighs the possibility that users may procure material that is not consistent with the educational objectives of the District.
Internet access is coordinated through a complex association of government agencies and regional and state networks. In addition, the smooth operation of the network relies upon the proper conduct of the end user who must adhere to strict guidelines. These guidelines are provided so that students are aware of the responsibilities they must undertake when accessing the District’s network resources. In general, students are required to make efficient, ethical and legal utilization of the network resources. If a District user violates any of these provisions, his or her account may be terminated and further discipline may be imposed.
1) Acceptable Use. The purpose of the Decorah Community School District’s internet access is to support research and education consistent with District goals and objectives by providing access to unique resources and the opportunity for collaborative work. The use of a student account must be in support of education and research and consistent with the educational objectives of the District. Use of other organizations’ networks or computing resources must comply with the rules appropriate for that network; however, students remain subject to the District’s general rules governing legal and ethical behavior when using such resources on District property or at District activities. The creation, access, or transmission of any material in violation of any federal or state law, regulation or District policy is prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to: material protected by copyright, trademark or other trade secret laws, and items which are or may be reasonably considered to be defamatory, obscene, pornographic, lewd, profane, offensive, discriminatory, harassing, or otherwise disturbing or harmful to minors. Use of network resources for commercial activities, product advertisement, political lobbying and/or other activities in violation of federal or state ethics and campaign disclosure laws is also prohibited. Only properly licensed software authorized by the District may be loaded onto the District’s system, and no programs or files shall be downloaded from the internet without prior permission of the District.
2) Privilege. The use of the internet and network resources is a privilege, not a right, and inappropriate use may result in a suspension or cancellation of those privileges or other disciplinary action. The principal will deem what is inappropriate use in accordance with these guidelines and will take appropriate action. The principal or a system administrator may suspend or close an account at any time. Notification of any suspension or cancellation of an account will be given in writing to the user within two weeks of the action. Students whose accounts are denied, suspended, or revoked may appeal such action using the student complaint procedure.
3) Network Etiquette (Netiquette). Users are expected to abide by the generally accepted rules of network etiquette. These include, but are not limited to, the following:
a) Be polite. Do not use abusive or offensive language in messages sent to others.
b) Use appropriate language. Do not swear, use vulgarities, profanity, lewd remarks, or any other inappropriate language. Illegal activities are strictly forbidden.
c) Do not release personal information. Do not reveal personal addresses or phone numbers or other personal information, or that of other students or colleagues.
d) Note that email, web postings (including blogs, Facebook pages Twitter, Snapchat, Instagram, etc.), and other online communications are not private. People who operate the system and other school personnel do have access to all information transmitted through or stored in the District’s system. Messages relating to or in support of illegal activities or activities in violation of District policies may be reported to the proper authorities or used against students in school disciplinary proceedings.
e) Respect other users. Do not use the District’s network in such a way that would disrupt the use of the network by other users, or would waste system resources. Do not send unsolicited e-mail messages (including spam) and do not use the District’s network as a way to harass, bully or intimidate others. Such behavior will not be tolerated and will be subject to disciplinary action.
f) Compliance with Laws. Under no circumstances may any user engage in any activity that is illegal under local, state, federal, or international laws, or that is prohibited by District policies or rules.
4) Reliability. The Decorah Community School District makes no warranties of any kind, whether express or implied, for the service it is providing. The District will not be responsible for any damages that students or other persons may suffer. This includes damages due to loss of data resulting from delays, nondeliveries, mis-deliveries, or service interruptions, whether caused by the District’s own negligence or students’ errors or omissions. The District specifically denies any responsibility for the accuracy or quality of information obtained through its services.
5) Security. Security on any computer system is a high priority, especially when the system involves many users. If students identify a security problem with the District’s internet or network resources, students must notify a teacher, principal or the system administrator. Students should not demonstrate the problem to other users. In addition, students should take all necessary steps to prevent unauthorized access to their accounts, and may not use another individual’s account. Any attempt to log on to the internet as a system administrator is prohibited. Any user identified as a security risk or having a history of problems with other computer systems may be denied access to the District’s internet and network resources.
6) Vandalism. Vandalism by a student will result in cancellation of a student’s network privileges and may be grounds for other disciplinary action. Vandalism is defined as any malicious act or attempt to harm, modify, or destroy the computer property or data of the District or another user, the internet or network resources of the District, or any other technologies used in the District.
This includes, but is not limited to, participation in hacking or the uploading or creation of computer viruses and other malicious programs.
7) Restricted Material. Users shall not create, access, download, or disseminate any text file, picture, or other material that includes material which is defamatory, harassing, discriminatory, obscene, pornographic, libelous, indecent, vulgar, profane, lewd, disturbing and harmful to minors, or which advertises any product or service not permitted to minors by law, or which is otherwise prohibited by this policy. If a user encounters such restricted material, the user should immediately terminate contact with the material and notify District personnel.
8) Unauthorized Costs. Users shall not access any service or site via the internet which has a cost involved without prior consent of the District. Users accessing such a service without prior consent will have access suspended and will be responsible for all costs.
- Account Information. The District will require all users to notify the system administrator of all changes in account information. Currently, there are no user fees for use of the Internet.
- Monitoring. The District may monitor the use of District equipment, systems, and network resources at any time, with or without notice to users.
- Harassment and Bullying. In accordance with Iowa law, the District’s policy against harassment and bullying applies to electronic communications such as e-mail messages, internet-based communications, cell phones, and electronic text messaging while on District property, at District activities or District sponsored events. Students shall not engage in harassing or bullying behavior via any electronic means, including those means that may not necessarily be a part of the District communications network system.
- Internet Safety. To the extent required by federal law, the District shall monitor the online activities of minor students and use technology protection measures to protect against their access of inappropriate material online. The District shall also educate students about appropriate online behavior, including interacting with other individuals on social networking websites and in chat rooms and cyberbullying awareness and response. This District education does not and should not take the place of parents educating their children at home about the importance of Internet and other on-line safety measures.
- Student Use of Personal Communication Devices. The District prohibits student use of personal communication devices such as cellular phones, smart devices, and tablets for purposes not directly related to established educational programming. If a student has a question regarding the use of a communication device, including but not limited to whether the use of that device is prohibited by this policy, the student should contact the building principal or his/her designee before using the device. The prohibition of these devices is required to prevent unnecessary disruption of the educational process.
- Authorization. Parent/Guardians shall be asked to sign off as having read this policy with their student(s) on the registration form at the start of school.
Date of Review: April 9, 2018 Form Revised: April 9, 2018