Introduction

Richland R-1 School District relies heavily upon instructional technology as a way of enhancing the mission to teach the skills, knowledge, and behaviors students will need as responsible citizens in the global community.  It is the goal of RSD to utilize this technology to enhance collaboration, communication, creativity and critical thinking in a variety of ways throughout the school day.  In an effort to increase access to those 21^st century skills, RSD will allow personal devices on our network and school grounds for students in grades 7-12 who follow the responsibilities stated in this Acceptable Use Policy.

Responsibilities

Access to electronic research requires students and employees to maintain consistently high levels of personal responsibility. The existing rules found in the District's Behavioral Expectations policy (Board Policy/Regulation 2610) as well as employee handbooks clearly apply to students and employees conducting electronic research or communication.  One fundamental need for acceptable student and employee use of District electronic resources is respect for, and protection of, password/account code security, as well as restricted databases files, and information banks. These passwords/account codes shall not be shared with others; nor shall students or employees use another party's password except in the authorized maintenance and monitoring of the network. The maintenance of strict control of passwords/account codes protects employees and students from wrongful accusation of misuse of electronic resources or violation of District policy, state or federal law. Any problems, which arise from the user sharing his/her account code/password, are the responsibility of the account holder.  Students or employees who misuse electronic resources or who violate laws will be disciplined at a level appropriate to the seriousness of the misuse.

Acceptable Use

The use of the District technology and electronic resources is a privilege, which may be revoked at any time. Staff and students are only allowed to conduct electronic network-based activities which are classroom or workplace related. Behaviors which shall result in revocation of access shall include, but will not be limited to: damage to or theft of system hardware or software; alteration of system hardware or software; placement of unlawful information, computer viruses or harmful programs on, or through the computer system; entry into restricted information on systems or network files in violation of password/account code restrictions; violation of other users' rights to privacy; unauthorized disclosure, use or dissemination of personal information regarding minors; and using another person's name/password/account to send or receive messages on the network.

Access to electronic mail (E-mail) is a privilege and designed to assist students and employees in the acquisition of knowledge and in efficiently communicating with others. The District E-mail system is designed solely for educational and work related purposes. E-mail files are subject to review by District and school personnel.

Students or employees who engage in "hacking" are subject to loss of privileges and District discipline, as well as the enforcement of any District policy, state and/or federal laws that may have been violated. Hacking may be described as the unauthorized review, duplication, dissemination, removal, damage, or alteration of files, passwords, computer systems, or programs, or other property of the District, a business, or any other governmental agency obtained through unauthorized means.

Vandalism is defined as any malicious attempt to alter, harm, or destroy equipment or data of another user, the District information service, or the other networks that are connected to the Internet. This includes, but is not limited to the uploading or the creation of computer viruses, the alteration of data, or the theft of restricted information. Any vandalism of the District electronic network or technology system will result in the immediate loss of computer service, disciplinary action and, if appropriate, referral to law enforcement officials.

Students and employees are not permitted to obtain, download, view or otherwise gain access to "inappropriate matter" which includes materials that may be deemed inappropriate to minors, unlawful, abusive, obscene, pornographic, descriptive of destructive devices, or otherwise objectionable under current District policy or legal definitions.

The District and school administration reserve the right to remove files, limit or deny access, and refer staff or students violating the Board policy to appropriate authorities or for other disciplinary action.

Internet Access

In compliance with the Children’s Internet Protection Act ("CIPA"), 47 U.S.C. § 254, the District uses technological devices designed to filter and block the use of any District computer with Internet access to retrieve or transmit any visual depictions that are obscene, child pornography, or "harmful to minors" as defined by CIPA and material which is otherwise inappropriate for District students.

Due to the dynamic nature of the Internet, sometimes Internet websites and web material that do not fall into these categories are blocked by the filter. In the event that a District student or employee feels that a website or web content has been improperly blocked by the District’s filter and this website or web content is appropriate for access by District students, the process described below should be followed:

1. Follow the process prompted by the District’s filtering software (or to remain anonymous, log in under log in name: 123anonymous) and submit an electronic request for access to a website, or:
2. Submit a request, whether anonymous or otherwise, to the District’s Superintendent/the Superintendent’s designee.
3. Requests for access shall be granted or denied within three days. If a request was submitted anonymously, persons should either attempt to access the website requested after three days or log back in at 123anonymous to see the status of the request.
4. Appeal of the decision to grant or deny access to a website may be made in writing to the Board of Education. Persons who wish to remain anonymous may mail an anonymous request for review to the Board of Education at the School District’s Central Office, stating the website that they would like to access and providing any additional detail the person wishes to disclose.
5. In case of an appeal, the Board of Education will review the contested material and make a determination.
6. Material subject to the complaint will not be unblocked pending this review process.

In the event that a District student or employee feels that a website or web content that is available to District students through District Internet access is obscene, child pornography, or "harmful to minors" as defined by CIPA or material which is otherwise inappropriate for District students, the process described set forth in Regulation 6241 should be followed.

Adult users of a District computer with Internet access may request that the "technology protection measures" be temporarily disabled by the chief building administrator of the building in which the computer is located for lawful purposes not otherwise inconsistent with this Policy.

Network Etiquette and Privacy

Students and employees are expected to abide by the generally accepted rules of electronic network etiquette.

System users are expected to be polite. They may not send abusive, insulting, harassing, or threatening messages to others.

System users are expected to use appropriate language; language that uses vulgarities or obscenities, libels others, or uses other inappropriate references is prohibited.

System users may not reveal their personal addresses, their telephone numbers or the addresses or telephone numbers of students, employees, or other individuals during E-mail transmissions.

System users may not use the District's electronic network in such a manner that would damage, disrupt, or prohibit the use of the network by other users.

System users should assume that all communications and information is public when transmitted via the network and may be viewed by other users. The system administrators may access and read E-mail on a random basis.

System users may not copy, sell or distribute copyrighted material without the express written permission of the author or publisher.

Use of the District's electronic network for unlawful purposes will not be tolerated and is prohibited.

Services

While the District is providing access to electronic resources, it makes no warranties, whether express or implied, for these services.  The District may not be held responsible for any damages including loss of data as a result of delays, non-delivery or service interruptions caused by the information system or the user's errors or omissions. The use or distribution of any information that is obtained through the information system is at the user's own risk.

Communication Devices

For users who bring their own devices, only the Internet gateway provided by the District may be accessed while on campus. Personal Internet connective devices, such as, but not limited to, cell phones/cell network adapters are not permitted to be used to access outside Internet sources at any time.

Users who bring their own devices are wholly responsible for the security of his or her own personal device, and the District is not liable for any device stolen or damages to it while on campus. If a device is stolen or damaged while on campus, it will be handled through the administrative office similar to other personal artifacts that are impacted in similar situations. It is recommended that skins (decals) and other custom touches are used to physically identify your device from others. Additionally, protective cases for technology are encouraged.

Users who bring their own devices and access the District’s networks on those devices are required to notify the District of their usage, provide the District with information about the device, and to abide by the terms and conditions set forth in this policy.  Users who bring their own devices must adhere to the following requirements:

1. The user must take full responsibility for his or her technology device. The District is not responsible for the security of personal devices.
2. The device must be in silent mode while on school campuses and while riding school buses.
3. The device may not be used to cheat on assignments or tests, or for non-instructional purposes.
4. The user agrees to access only files on the computer or Internet sites which are relevant to the classroom curriculum.
5. Students must immediately comply with a teacher's request to shut down the device or put it out of sight.
6. The student acknowledges that the school's network filters will be applied to one's connection to the Internet and will not attempt to bypass them.
7. The student understands that bringing on the school premises or infecting the network with a Virus, Trojan, or program designed to damage, alter, destroy, or provide access to unauthorized data or information is in violation of this policy and will result in disciplinary actions.
8. The student realizes that processing or accessing information on school property related to “hacking,” altering, or bypassing network security policies is in violation of this policy and will result in disciplinary actions.
9. The school district has the right to collect and examine any device that is suspected of causing problems or was the source of an attack or virus infection.
10. The student realizes that printing from personal technology devices will not be possible at school.

Consequences

The District administration has the authority to take action and/or impose discipline at their discretion for any violation of this policy. The consequences for violating this policy include, but are not limited to, one or more of the following:

1. Suspension of District Network privileges;
2. Revocation of Network privileges;
3. Suspension of Internet access;
4. Revocation of Internet access;
5. Suspension of computer access;
6. Revocation of computer access;
7. School suspension;
8. Expulsion; or
9. Employee disciplinary action up to and including dismissal.

Board Approved Date: October 17, 2013