FILE: EFA
COMPUTER USE AND INTERNET SAFETY FOR EMPLOYEES
The DeSoto Parish School Board believes it is necessary for all persons to become aware of acceptable use of computers. Any person using computers or other electronic information resources shall be required to use such equipment and resources in a responsible, legal manner. The School Board retains the right to monitor all computer usage and files for compliance to all regulations and/or procedures. Any usage of computers not in accordance with district regulations and procedures shall subject the user to appropriate disciplinary action up to and including termination.
The School Board shall establish appropriate guidelines for exploring and using Internet resources within the school district to enhance learning and teaching activities.
The School Board shall incorporate the use of computer-related technology or the use of Internet service provider technology designed to block access or exposure to any harmful materials or information, such as sites that contain obscene, pornographic, pervasively vulgar, excessively violent, or sexually harassing information or material. Sites which contain information on the manufacturing of bombs or other incendiary devices shall also be prohibited. However, the School Board does not prohibit authorized employees or students from having unfiltered or unrestricted access to Internet or online services, including online services of newspapers with daily circulation of at least 1,000, for legitimate scientific or educational purposes approved by the School Board.
INTERNET USAGE
Exploration of the Internet is encouraged, but with rights and privileges come responsibility. Any use of the Internet that adversely affects its operation in pursuit of teaching and learning or jeopardizes its use or performance for other community members is prohibited and may result in loss of Internet privileges, suspension or other appropriate disciplinary action up to and including termination. The DeSoto Parish School Board does not condone the use of the Internet for any illegal or inappropriate activities and shall not be responsible for any such use by staff or students.
The School Board may suspend or terminate any privilege to use the Internet at any time solely at the School Board's discretion. Any policies and/or regulations of the School Board defining use of the Internet serve as guidelines but do not warrant or guarantee access to or use of the Internet. Consequently, the School Board may, at any time and in its sole discretion, end the privilege of any individual to use the Internet without notice, cause, or reason.
ACCOUNTABILITY
Faculty and staff use of school computers or the Internet shall be reserved for academic purposes and the conducting of business aspects of the school system. All personnel using a school computer or a computer network located on school property, or computers accessing the Internet shall be accountable for its use. Teacher or class files on the network shall be treated as district property subject to control and inspection by School Board personnel. Access codes or passwords shall be kept on file by the principal or his/her designee in case an inspection is warranted. Use of the Internet and/or any computers shall be considered a privilege and any inappropriate use may result in appropriate disciplinary action and loss of privileges to use district computers or the Internet.
UNAUTHORIZED AND ILLEGAL USE
Faculty and staff shall not be under direct supervision but must abide by School Board policy. Tampering with selection menus, procedures, or icons for the purpose of misleading or confusing other users shall be prohibited. Any use by any person of the district's internal network that incurs expenses to the school other than the monthly user fees and rates shall be strictly prohibited. Furthermore, the district's computer system shall not be used for commercial, political or religious purposes.
Use of the network for any illegal activities shall also be prohibited. Illegal activities shall include but not be limited to (a) tampering with computer hardware or software, (b) unauthorized entry into computers and files, (c) knowledgeable vandalism or destruction of equipment, and (d) deletion of computer files. Such activities may be considered crimes under state and federal law.
COPYRIGHTS
All personnel must adhere to the Copyright Law of the United States (17 USC 101-810) and the Congressional Guidelines that delineate it regarding software, authorship, and copying information. The unauthorized copying or transfer of copyrighted materials may result in the loss of network privileges. All persons who willfully violate copyright laws do so without the sanction of the School Board and at their own risk and will assume all liability and responsibility.
SECURITY
Teachers and personnel who have computers in their charge shall be responsible for their security. Computers must be secured such that students acting without the consent or supervision of a teacher or administrator cannot enter the system or the Internet.
Any user who knowingly allows another to use the ID assigned to him or her will immediately lose access privileges, and may be subject to further disciplinary action. Attempts to fraudulently log on to any network as a system administrator or another user shall result in immediate cancellation of user privileges and the offender may be subject to further disciplinary action. Any user identified as a security risk, or having a history of problems with other computer systems, may be denied access to the service.
VANDALISM
Vandalism will result in cancellation of privileges or other disciplinary action, up to and including termination. Vandalism is defined as any attempted or actual harm or destruction of the data of another user or other networks connected to the Internet. This includes, but is not limited to, the uploading or creation of computer viruses, attempts to tamper with any programs, applications, files, etc.
Approved: November, 2003
Ref: 20 USC 7131 (Internet Safety)
47 USC 254 (Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA))
La. Rev. Stat. Ann. ยงยง17:81, 17:100.7
DeSoto Parish School Board