View the: Employee Acceptable Use Policy

Maine School Administrative District #62

Student Computer and Internet Use

Pownal School provides computers, networks and Internet access to support the educational mission of the school and to enhance the curriculum and learning opportunities for students and school staff.  The Board believes that the resources available through the Internet are of significant value in the learning process and preparing students for future success.  At the same time, the unregulated availability of information and communication on the Internet require that schools establish reasonable controls for lawful, efficient and appropriate sue of this technology.

Student use of school computers, networks and Internet services is a privilege, not a right.  Students are required to comply with this policy and the accompanying rules.  Students who violate the policy and/or rules may have their computer privileges revoked and may also be subject to further disciplinary and/or legal action.

Pownal School computers remain under the control, custody and supervision of the school.  The school reserves the right to monitor all computer and Internet activity by students.  Students have no expectation of privacy in their use of school computers.

While reasonable precautions will be taken to supervise student use of the Internet, Pownal School cannot reasonably prevent all inappropriate uses, including access to objectionable materials and communication with persons outside of the school in violation of Board policies/procedures and school rules.  The school is not responsible for the accuracy or quality of information that students obtain through the Internet.

Before a student is allowed to use school computers and Internet services, the student the student’s parent/guardian must sign and return the Computer/Internet Access Acknowledgment.  The school will retain the signed acknowledgment.

The Superintendent shall be responsible for overseeing the implementation of this policy and the accompanying rules, and for advising the Board of the need for any future amendments or revisions to the policy/rules.  The Superintendent may develop additional administrative procedures/rules governing the day-to-day management and operations of the school’s computer system as long as they are consistent with the Board’s policy/rules.  The Superintendent may delegate specific responsibilities to others, as he/she deems appropriate.

Maine School Administrative District #62

Student Computer and Internet Use Rules

These rules implement Board policy IJNDB – Student Computer and Internet Use.  The rules are intended to provide general guidelines and examples of prohibited uses, but do not attempt to state all required or prohibited activities by users.  Failure to comply with Board policy IJNDB and these rules may result in loss of computer and Internet access privileges, disciplinary action and/or legal action.

A.      Computer Use is a Privilege, Not a Right

Student use of school’s computers, networks and Internet services is a privilege, not a right.  Unacceptable use/activity may result in suspension or cancellation of privileges as well as additional disciplinary and/or legal action.

The Superintendent shall have final authority to decide whether a student’s privileges will be denied or revoked.

B.      Acceptable use

Student access to the school’s computers, networks and Internet services are provided for educational purposes and research consistent with the school’s educational mission, curriculum and instructional goals.

The same rules and expectations govern student use of computers as apply to other student conduct and communications.

Students are further expected to comply with these rules and all specific instructions from the teacher or other supervising staff member/volunteer when accessing the school’s computers, networks and Internet services.

C.      Prohibited Use

The user is responsible for his/her actions and activities involving school computers, networks and Internet services, and for his/her computer files, passwords and accounts.  Examples of unacceptable uses that are expressly prohibited include, but are not limited to, the following:

1.      Accessing Inappropriate Materials – Accessing, submitting, posting, publishing, forwarding, downloading, scanning or displaying materials that are defamatory, abusive, obscene, vulgar, sexually explicit, sexually suggestive, threatening, discriminatory, harassing and/or illegal;

2. Illegal Activities – Using the school’s computers, networks and Internet services for any illegal activity or that violates other Board policies, procedures and/or school rules;

3. Violating Copyrights – Copying or downloading copyrighted materials without the owner’s permission;

4. Plagiarism – Representing as one’s own work any materials obtained on the Internet (such as term papers, articles, etc.).  When Internet sources are used in student work, the author, publisher and Web site must be identified;

5. Copying Software – Copying or downloading software without the express authorization of the system administrator;

6. Non-School-Related Uses – Using the school’s computers, network and Internet services for non-school-related purposes such as private financial gain, commercial, advertising or solicitation purposes, or for any other personal use;

7. Misuse of Passwords/Unauthorized Access – Sharing passwords, using other users’ passwords without permission and/or accessing other user’s accounts;

8. Malicious Use/Vandalism – Any malicious use, disruption or harm to the school’s computers, networks and Internet services, including but not limited to hacking activities and creation/uploading of computer viruses;

9. Unauthorized Access to Chat Rooms/News Groups - Accessing chat rooms or news groups without specific authorization from the supervising teacher.

D.      No Expectation of Privacy

Pownal School retains control, custody and supervision of all computers, networks and Internet services owned or leased by Pownal School.  Pownal School reserves the right to monitor all computer and Internet activity by students.  Students have no expectation of privacy in their use of school computers, including email and stored files.

E.      Compensation for Losses, Costs and/or Damages

The student and/or the student’s parent/guardian shall be responsible for compensating the school for any losses, costs or damages incurred by the school related to violations of policy IJNDB and/or rules, including investigation of violations.

F.      School Unit Assumes No Responsibility for Unauthorized Charges, Costs, or Illegal Use

Pownal School assumes no responsibility for any unauthorized charges made by students, including but not limited to credit card charges, long distance telephone charges, equipment and line costs, or for any illegal use of its computers such as copyright violations.

G.     Student Security

A student shall not reveal his/her full name, address or telephone number on the Internet without prior permission from a supervising teacher.  Students should never meet people they have contacted through the Internet without parental permission.  Students should inform their supervising teacher if they access information or messages that are dangerous, inappropriate or make them uncomfortable in any way.

H.      System Security

The security of Pownal School’s computers, networks and Internet services is a high priority.  Any user who identifies a security problem must notify the system administrator.  The user shall not demonstrate the problem to others.  Any user who attempts or causes a breach of system security shall have his/her privileges revoked and may be subject to additional disciplinary and/or legal action.

I.        Parental Acknowledgment Required

Students and their parent/guardian are required to sign and return the Computer/Internet Access Acknowledgment Form before being allowed to use school computers.

Maine School Administrative District #62

Student Computer/Internet Use Acknowledgment Form

No student shall be allowed to use school computers or the Internet until the student and parent/guardian have signed and returned this acknowledgement to the school.

Student:

I have read/reviewed with parent or guardian, policy IJNDB – Student Computer/Internet Use and IJNDB-R – Student Computer/Internet Use Rules and agree to comply with them.

______________________________________________        _____________________

Signature                                                                                 Date

Parent/Guardian:

I have read policy IJNDB – Student Computer/Internet Use and IJNDB-R – Student Computer/Internet Use Rules and understand that my son/daughter’s use of school computers is subject to compliances with these rules.

_____________________________________________        ______________________

Signature                                                                                 Date

View the: Student Acceptable Use Policy

Maine School Administrative District #62

Employee Computer and Internet Use

The Maine School Administrative District 62 – Pownal School provides computer, networks and Internet access to support the educational mission of the school and to enhance the curriculum and learning opportunities for student and school staff.

Employee are to utilize the Pownal School’s computers, networks and Internet services for school-related purposes and performance of job duties,  Incidental personal use of school computers is permitted as long as such use does not interfere with the employee’s job duties and performance, with system operations or other system users.  “Incidental personal use” is defined as use by an individual employee for occasional personal communications.  Employees are reminded that such personal use must comply with this policy and all other applicable policies, procedures and rules.

Any employee who violates this policy and/or any rules governing use of the school’s computers will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including discharge.  Illegal uses of the school’s computers will also result in referral to law enforcement authorities.

All Pownal School computers remain under the control, custody and supervision of the school.  Pownal School reserves the right to monitor all computer and Internet activity by employees.  Employees have no expectation of privacy in their use of school computers.

Each employee authorized to access Pownal School’s computers, networks and Internet services is required to sign an acknowledgment form (GCSA-E) stating that they have read this policy and the accompany rules.  The acknowledgement form will be retained in the employee’s personnel file.

The Superintendent shall be responsible for overseeing the implementation of this policy and the accompanying rules, and for advising the Board of the need for any future amendments or revisions to the policy/rules.  The Superintendent may develop additional administrative procedures/rules governing the day-to-day management and operations of Pownal School’s computer system as long as they are consistent with the Board’s policy/rules.  The Superintendent may delegate specific responsibilities to others as he/she deems appropriate.

Maine School Administrative District #62

Employee Computer/Internet Use Acknowledgment Form

No employee shall be allowed to use school computers or the Internet until he/she has signed and returned this acknowledgment.

I have read policy GCSA – Employee Computer and Internet Use and GCSA-R Employee Computer and Internet Use Rules and understand their terms and conditions.

______________________________________________        _____________________

Signature                                                                                 Date

Maine School Administrative District #62

Employee Computer and Internet Use Rules

The intent of these Board-level rules is to provide employees with general requirements for utilizing the school’s computers, networks and Internet services.  The Board rules may be supplemented by more specific administrative procedures and rules governing day-to-day management of the computer system.

These rules provide general guidelines and examples of prohibited uses for illustrative purposes, but do not attempt to state all required or prohibited activities by users.  Employees who have questions regarding whether a particular activity or use is acceptable should seek further guidance from the school administrator.

Failure to comply with Board policy GCSA, these rules and/or other established procedures or rules governing computer use may result in disciplinary action, up to and including discharge.  Illegal uses of the school’s computers will also result in referral to law enforcement authorities.

A.      Access to School Computers, Networks and Internet Services

The level of access that employees have to school computers, networks and Internet services is based upon specific employee job requirements and needs.

B.      Acceptable use

Employee access to the school’s computers, networks and Internet services are provided for administrative, educational, communication and research purposes consistent with the school’s educational mission, curriculum and instructional goals.  General rules and expectation for professional behavior and communication apply to use of the school’s computers, networks and Internet services.

Employees are to utilize the school’s computers, networks and Internet services for school-related purposes and performance of job duties.  Incidental personal use of school computers is permitted as long as such use does not interfere with the employee’s job duties and performance, with system operations or other system users.  “Incidental personal Use” is defined as use by an individual employee for occasional personal communications.  Employees are reminded that such personal use must comply with this policy and all other applicable policies, procedures and rules.

C.      Prohibited Use

The employee is responsible for his/her actions and activities involving school computers, networks and Internet services, and for his/her computer files, passwords and accounts.  General examples of unacceptable uses that are expressly prohibited include, but are not limited to, the following:

1.      Any use that is illegal or in violation of other Board policies, including harassing, discriminatory or threatening communications and behavior; violations of copyright laws, etc;

2. Any use involving materials that are obscene, pornographic, sexually explicit or sexually suggestive;
3. Any in appropriate communications with students or minors;
4. Any use for private financial gain, or commercial advertising or solicitation purposes;
5. Any use as a forum for communication by email or any other medium with other school users or outside parties to solicit, proselytize, advocate or communicate the view of an individual or non-school sponsored organization; to solicit membership in or support of any non-school sponsored organization; or to raise funds for any non-school sponsored purpose, whether profit or non-for profit.  No employee shall knowingly provide school email addresses to outside parties whose intent is to communicate with school employees, students and/or their families for non-school purposes.  Employees who are uncertain as to whether particular activities are acceptable should seek further guidance from the Superintendent or Webmaster.
6. Any communication that represents personal vies as those of the school or that could be misinterpreted as such;
7. Downloading or loading software or application without permission from the system administrator;
8. Opening or forwarding any email attachments (executable files) from unknown sources and/or that may contain viruses;
9. Sending mass emails to school users or outside parties for school or non-school purposes without the permission of the system administrator;
10. Any malicious use or disruption of the school’s computers, networks and Internet services or breach of security features;
11. Any misuse or damage to the school’s computer equipment;
12. Misuse of the computer passwords or accounts (employee or other users);
13. Any communications that are in violation of generally accepted rules of network etiquette and/or professional conduct;
14. Any attempt to access unauthorized sites;
15. Failing to report a known breach of computer security to the system administrator;
16. Using school computer, networks and Internet services after such access had been denied or revoked; and
17. Any attempt to delete, erase or otherwise conceal any information stored on a school computer that violates these rules.

D.      No Expectation of Privacy

The school retains control, custody and supervision of all computers, networks and Internet services owned or leased by the school.  The school reserves the right to monitor all computer and Internet activity by employees and other system users.  Employees have no expectation of privacy in their use of school computers, including email and stored files.

E.      Confidentiality of Information

Employees are expected to use appropriate judgment and caution in communications concerning students and staff to ensure that personally identifiable information remains confidential.

F.      Staff Responsibilities to Students

Teachers, staff members and volunteers who utilize school computers for instructional purposes with students have a duty of care to supervise such use.  Teachers, staff members and volunteers are expected to be familiar with the school’s policies and rules concerning student computer and Internet use and to enforce them.  When, in the course of their duties, employees/volunteers become aware of student violations, they are expected to stop the activity and inform the building principal.

G.     Compensation for Losses, Costs and/or Damages

The employee shall be responsible for any losses, costs or damages incurred by the school related to violations of policy GCSA and/or these rules.

H.      School Unit Assumes No Responsibility for Unauthorized Charges, Costs, or Illegal Use

Pownal School assumes no responsibility for any unauthorized charges made by students, including but not limited to credit card charges, long distance telephone charges, equipment and line costs, or for any illegal use of its computers such as copyright violations.

I.        Employee Acknowledgement Required

Each employee authorized to access the school’s computers, network and Internet services is required to sign an acknowledgment form (GCSA-E) stating that they have read policy GCSA and these rules.  The acknowledgment form will be retained in the employee’s personnel file.