406.8 Exhibit A – Employee Computer/Internet Form

All of the District's automated systems, including electronic mail, voice 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 “Network Resources” transmitted through or stored in the District’s system, including E-mail, Web Postings, and Other Online Communications.

Files containing personal and/or business information about an employee are treated no differently than the District's other files, and the employee has no expectation of privacy in such materials.

COMPUTERS OWNED BY THE DISTRICT:

Whether being used in the District or in another location:

• Only authorized employees, authorized students, or persons authorized by the administration may use the computer, as use by others puts District assets and records in jeopardy.   You are not to allow unauthorized persons access to District computer equipment, whether by allowing use of the computer or by viewing the contents of the computer.
• Only software approved by the District shall be loaded on the computer, and no programs or files shall be downloaded from the Internet without prior authorization the District.
• Passwords need to be kept in a discreet location.  Any employee 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.

NETWORK RESOURCES (INCLUDING E-MAIL, WEB POSTINGS, AND OTHER ONLINE COMMUNICATIONS) USAGE:

Use of Network Resources to engage in any communication in violation of applicable laws or District policies, including the creation, access, or transmission of defamatory, obscene, pornographic, profane, offensive, threatening, discriminatory, or harassing messages, or messages that disclose personal or confidential information without authorization, is strictly prohibited.

Use caution in addressing messages to ensure that messages are not inadvertently sent to the wrong party.  This is critical because of the sensitive nature of the documents and information we often may be asked to send and receive. Always double check that the address you are using is correct and current.

Use of Network Resources to improperly distribute copyrighted materials is prohibited.

E-mail and other Network Resources can be useful tools, permitting rapid and efficient communication with a large audience.  This same strength can be a weakness, as a hastily written note may be subject to misinterpretation in the future, when the context is not as clear.  This is particularly true when your message is subject to being forwarded, rerouted, or saved by others.  For this reason, when sending electronic messages, you should keep the following test in mind:  "Would I be concerned if I had to read this message out loud, under oath, as a witness in a courtroom proceeding?"  If that possibility does not unduly concern you, then your message is probably acceptable.

Use of another user's name/account to access e-mail or the Internet is strictly prohibited.

INTERNET USAGE IN GENERAL:

In general, employees are required to make efficient, ethical, and legal utilization of the District’s Internet and other Network Resources.  Internet and other Network Resources may be used only for purposes that effectively support the District's goals and objectives or for the non-business purposes that are approved by the administration. The District has the ability and reserves the right to review records of use of the Internet and other Network Resources.

The District will not be responsible for maintaining or payment of personal Internet accounts, nor shall the District be responsible for any costs associated with Internet services accessed by you without the prior consent of the District.

You must respect all copyright and license agreements regarding software or publications you access from the Internet. The District will not condone violations of copyright laws and licenses, and you will be personally liable for any fines or sanctions caused by any license or copyright infringement.

INAPPROPRIATE USES OF INTERNET AND NETWORK RESOURCES (INLCUDING E-MAIL, WEB POSTINGS, AND OTHER ONLINE COMMUNICATIONS):

The District strictly prohibits inappropriate uses of the Internet and network resources (including e-mail, web postings, and other online communications), which include but are not limited to the following:

• Disclosure of confidential or sensitive data known or entrusted to the District to any unauthorized individuals.
• Misuse of copyrighted material or other copyright violations.
• Communicating in ways that disparage the products or services of other companies.
• Communicating information that could be perceived as an official District position or endorsement without proper approval.
• Using confrontational or improper language or making statements that are defamatory.
• Creating, storing, viewing, or transmitting defamatory, pornographic, obscene, profane, illegal or otherwise offensive material.  If you encounter such prohibited material, you should immediately terminate contact with the material and notify appropriate District personnel.
• Participating in any activity that could be interpreted as harassment or discrimination.
• Misrepresenting an individual's identity or the source of communications or data.
• Attempting to break into any other Internet server.
• Accessing confidential information on computer resources without authorization.
• Promoting political or religious positions (including violations of ethics and campaign disclosure laws).
• Participating or engaging in activities that violate any local, state, federal, or international law, or any District policies, rules, or standards.
• Operating a personal business or using the Internet as provided by the District for personal gain.
• Exporting or importing of any governmentally controlled technical data or software (such as software encryption) to or from unauthorized locations or persons, without appropriate licenses or permits.
• Disrupting the use of the network by other users, or wasting system resources.
• Sending unsolicited messages (including spam).
• Vandalizing network resources through 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.

Employee-Owned Computers and Electronic Devices.  The use of employee-owned computers and electronic devices is subject to the normal requirements of legal and ethical behavior within the District community.  You should be guided by applicable laws, District policies, and sound professional judgment on your use of employee-owned computers and electronic devices, including but not limited to access to Internet websites, creation or maintenance of personal webpages, transmission or receipt of e-mail messages, blogging, instant messaging, use of portable music devices, use of cellular phones, and/or text messaging.

Employees must model appropriate character, both on and off the worksite.  This applies to material which you post on personal websites and other social media.  If you post messages or pictures which diminish your professionalism or discredit your capacity to maintain the respect of students and parents, it will impair your ability to serve as role models for children and your overall fitness for duty.  The type of material that would adversely affect an employee’s ability to serve as an appropriate role model includes, but is not limited to, text or pictures involving hate speech, nudity, obscenity, vulgarity, or sexually explicit content. Employee communications with students, in particular, should be limited as appropriate.  If there is any uncertainty, you should consult your supervisor or principal.

Reliability.  The 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 you or other persons may suffer.  This includes damages due to loss of data resulting from delays, no deliveries, mis-deliveries, or service interruptions, whether caused by the District’s own negligence or your errors or omissions.  The District specifically denies any responsibility for the accuracy or quality of information obtained through its services.

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.  You shall not engage in harassing or bullying behavior via any electronic means, including those means that are not part of the District system.

Internet Safety.  To the extent required by federal law, the District shall use technology protection measures to protect against employee access of inappropriate material online.

Employees' E-mail/Internet and other District network access may be monitored at any time without prior notice.  Users violating any portion of these rules may receive a written warning or other discipline, including immediate termination, depending upon the seriousness of the violation.

An employee’s continued employment with the District constitutes his or her consent to this policy.  All questions relating to the content of this regulation should be directed to:  _____________________________________________________________.

By signing this agreement, I hereby represent that I have read, understand, and will comply with the above rules.

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