File: IIBEA/GAB
ACCEPTABLE COMPUTER SYSTEM USE
The School Board provides a computer system, including the internet, to promote educational excellence by facilitating resource sharing, innovation and communication. The term computer system includes hardware, software, data, communication lines and devices, terminals, printers, CD-ROM devices, tape drives, servers, mainframe and personal computers, the internet and other internal or external networks.
All use of the Division’s computer system must be (1) in support of education and/or research, or (2) for legitimate school business. Use of the computer system is a privilege, not a right. Any communication or material used on the computer system, including electronic mail or other files deleted from a user’s account, may be monitored or read by school officials.
The Division Superintendent shall establish administrative procedures, for the School Board’s approval, containing the appropriate uses, ethics and protocol for the computer system.
The procedures shall include:
· a prohibition against use by division employees and students of the division’s computer equipment and communications services for sending, receiving, viewing or downloading illegal material via the Internet; · provisions, including the selection and operation of a technology protection measure for the division’s computers having Internet access to filter or block Internet access through such computers, that seek to prevent access to *child pornography as set out in Va. Code § 18.2-374.1:1 or as defined in 18 U.S.C. § 2256; *obscenity as defined by Va. Code § 18.2-372 or 18 U.S.C. § 1460; and *material that the school division deems to be harmful to juveniles as defined in Va. Code § 18.2-390, material that is harmful to minors as defined in 47 U.S.C. § 254(h) (7) (G), and material that is otherwise inappropriate for minors; · provisions establishing that the technology protection measure is enforced during any use of the Division’s computers by minors; · provisions establishing that the online activities of minors will be monitored; · provisions designed to protect the safety and security of minors when using electronic mail, chat rooms, and other forms of direct electronic communications; · provisions designed to prevent unauthorized online access by minors, including “hacking” and other unlawful activities by minors online; · provisions prohibiting the unauthorized disclosure, use, and dissemination of personal information regarding minors; · a component on Internet safety for students that is integrated in the division’s instructional program.
Use of the School Division’s computer system shall be consistent with the educational or instructional mission or administrative function of the Division as well as the varied instructional needs, learning styles, abilities and developmental levels of students. The Division’s computer system is not a public forum.
Each teacher, administrator, student and parent/guardian of each student shall sign the Acceptable Computer System Use Agreement, GAB-E1/IIBEA-E2, before using the Division’s computer system. The failure of any student, teacher or administrator to follow the terms of the agreement, this policy or accompanying regulation may result in loss of computer system privileges, disciplinary action, and/or appropriate legal action.
The School Board is not responsible for any information that may be lost, damaged or unavailable when using the computer system or for any information retrieved via the Internet. Furthermore, the School Board will not be responsible for any unauthorized charges or fees resulting from access to the computer system.
The Division Superintendent shall submit to the Virginia Department of Education this policy and accompanying regulation biennially.
Adopted: 11/24/03; 06/27/05; 08/24/06 _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________
Legal Refs: 18 U.S.C. §§ 1460, 2256. 47 U.S.C. § 254.
Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended, §§ 18.2-372, 18.2-374.1:1, 18.2-390, 22.1-70.2, and 22.1-78.
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