IBFG Redline Policy - November 10, 2025 - DCSD Board Meeting Archive

Board Policy Manual
DeKalb County School District

Board Policy IFBG: Internet Acceptable Use Status: DRAFT

Original Adopted Date: 01/01/1900 | Last Revised Date: 07/11/2011 | Last
Reviewed Date: 09/17/2025

REDLINE VERSION

I. Purpose

The DeKalb County School District (“DCSD” or “District”) provides technologies, networks,
and Internettechnology resources, including internet access, to support the district’s
educational mission of the District and to enhance the curriculum and teaching, learning
opportunities for , and operational efficiency. The district is committed to safeguarding its
students and District, employees. These, partners, and technology infrastructure.
Employees and students uncertain about appropriate technology use must seek
clarification from their supervisor, teacher, or school administrator.
II. Definitions
A. Artificial Intelligence (AI): Includes generative artificial intelligence,
automated decision-making software (ADMS), and large language models
(LLMs) capable of generating original content with minimal human input (e.g.,
ChatGPT, DALL·E, Microsoft Copilot, Gemini).
B. Emergent Technology: Includes AI engines, chatbots, ADMS, or other
technologies that may impact the district’s network, equipment, or data.
C. School Equipment: Any computer, network, or communication system
owned, leased, or provided by the district for instructional or administrative
use.
D. Social Media: Internet-based platforms that facilitate communication,
collaboration, or user-generated content (e.g., X/Twitter, Facebook,
Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, YouTube).
E. Student Data: Personally identifiable information, including names,
addresses, identification numbers, contact information, or other data
protected by law.
F. Threat Actors: Unauthorized individuals or entities with malicious intent,
including but not limited to governments, criminals, or hackers.
G. Users: Any individual who accesses or uses district technology or digital
infrastructure.
III. General Use
A. District technology resources maywill be used only in support of education
and for educational, research, and official district purposes consistent with
the educational objectives of the Districtdistrict’s mission and goals.
B. All guidelines set forth in users must sign an Acceptable Use Agreement
acknowledging understanding of this policy and any relevantits
accompanying regulations or rules are applicable to all telecommunication
services and equipment provided by the District including, but not limited to,
the following:.
1. Computer workstations and notebook computers;

2. Smart phones, tablets, e-readers, and other mobile devices;

3.IV. Internet services;Safety

4. Telephone services; and

5. Cellular telephone services.
Acceptable use agreements must be signed by all users of District technologies or
networks.
I. INTERNET SAFETY

A. The Superintendent shall, with respect to any computer or otheror designee will:
Implement and maintain technology connecting to the District network and
having access to the Internet:

1. Ensure that a qualifying “technology protection measure,” as that term is
defined in section 1703(b)(1) of the Children’s Internet Protection Act of
2000 (“CIPA”), is installed and in continuous operation;

A. Ensureprotection measures to block or filter internet content that is obscene,
pornographic, or harmful to minors are educated about, as required by law
and Board Policy JCDAG.
2.B. Provide instruction on appropriate online behavior, including
interacting with other individuals on social networking websites and in, chat
rooms, and about cyber bullying awareness and response, as required
byroom interaction, and cyberbullying prevention, consistent with CIPA and
as set forth in Board Policy JCDAG; and.

3. Implement, maintain,Develop and enforce procedures or guidelines that
provide for monitoring of the online activities of users and of the use of
“technology protection measures”regulations to prevent access to visual
depictions that are (i) “obscene,” (ii) “child pornography,” or (iii) “harmful to
minors,” as those terms are defined in section 1721(c) of CIPA.

B. The Superintendent shall, with respect to access to the Internet by or through
computers, networks or other devices belonging to the Districtmonitor
network, implement, maintain and enforce procedures or guidelines that

1. Provide for monitoring the online activities of users to limit, to the extent
reasonably feasible, access by minors to inappropriate matter on the
Internet;
2. Are designed to promote the safety and security of minors when using
electronic mail, social media, and other forms of direct electronic
communications;

3.C. Are designed to use, prevent unauthorized access, including so-called
“hacking,” and other unauthorized activities by minors online;and ensure data
security.

D. Are designed to prevent the unauthorized disclosure,Implement technical and
administrative safeguards to protect the integrity of district networks and
user data.
4.E. Educate students, employees, and contractors on emergent
technologies, ethical use, and dissemination of personal identification
information regarding minors;security risks.

5. Are designed to restrict minors’ access to materials “harmful to minors,” as
that term is defined in section 1721(c) of CIPA; and

6.F. Establish disciplinary consequences for students and employees who
willfully violate acceptable-use proceduresviolations of this policy and
supporting regulations.

II. EMPLOYEE USE OF TECHNOLOGY

District employees are to utilize the District’s technologies, networks, and Internet
services only for Districtrelated purposes and performance of job duties. Incidental
personal use of District technologies, meaning use by an individual employee for
occasional personal communications, is permitted only if such use does not interfere
with the employee’s job duties and performance, with District operations, or with
other District users. Employees are reminded that such incidental personal use must
comply with this policy and all other applicable policies, regulations, procedures, and
rules. Each employee is responsible for his or her actions and activities involving
District technologies, networks, and Internet services, and for his or her computer
files, passwords, and accounts. Examples of prohibited unacceptable uses include,
but are not limited to, the following:

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

2. Any use involving materials that are obscene, pornographic, sexually explicit,
or sexually suggestive;

3. Any inappropriate communications with students or minors;

4. Any use for private financial gain or for commercial advertising or solicitation
purposes;
5. Any use as a forum for communicating by e-mail or other medium with other
District users or outside parties to solicit, proselytize, advocate, or
communicate the views of an individual or non-District sponsored
organization; to solicit membership in or support of any non-District
sponsored organization; or to raise funds for any non-District sponsored
purpose, whether for-profit or non-profit. No employee shall knowingly
provide District e-mail addresses to outside parties whose intent is to
communicate with District employees, students, or their families for non-
District or non-school related purposes. Employees who are uncertain as to
whether particular activities are acceptable should seek further guidance from
their immediate supervisor;

6. Any communication that represents an individual’s personal views as those of
the District or any school unit or that could be misinterpreted as such;

7. Downloading or loading software or applications without permission of the
Department of Management
V. Employee Use of Technology
A. Employees will use district technology resources primarily for job-related
duties.
B. Limited incidental personal use is permitted only if it does not interfere with
job performance, district operations, or legal and ethical obligations.
C. Employees are responsible for the proper use, security, and confidentiality of
their accounts, passwords, and files.
All suspected security breaches or misuse shall be reported immediately to the
Chief Information Systems;

8. Opening and forwarding any e-mail attachments (executable files) from
unknown sources and/or that may contain viruses;

9. Sending or facilitating mass e-mails to school users or outside parties for any
purpose, unless prior permission has been granted;

10. Any malicious use or disruption of the District technologies, networks, and
Internet services or breach ofsecurity features;

11. Any misuse or damage to District technology;

12. Misuse of computer passwords or accounts, including providing personal
passwords to non-District personnel;

13. Any communications that are in violation of generally accepted rules of
network etiquette and/or professional conduct;

14. Any attempt to access unauthorized websites;

15. Using District technologies, networks, or Internet services after such access
has been denied, revoked or suspended; or
16. Any attempt to modify, delete, erase, or otherwise conceal any information
stored on District technologies or networks that violates this policy.
D. District employees should report all known breaches of technology use or
security to the Executive Officer and the Director for Management
Information Systems or the Office of Internal Affairsand Network Security.
E. The Districtdistrict retains ownership, control, custody, and supervision of all
technologies, networks, and Internet services owned or leased by the
District. The District reserves the right to monitor supervisory rights over all
technology and Internet activity by all system users. resources and may
monitor usage at any time. Users have no expectation of privacy in their use
of school technologies or networksdistrict technology, including e-mail
messagesemail and stored files.
F. Employees are expected to use appropriatemust exercise sound judgment
and caution in communications concerning students and employees to when
using technology and ensure that the confidentiality of student and staff
personally identifiable information remains confidential.
G. Teachers, staff members, and volunteers who utilize school supervising
student technology for instructional purposesuse will ensure compliance with
students have a duty of care to supervise such use. Teachers, staff,this policy
and volunteers are expected to be familiar with the District’s policies and
rules concerning student computer and Internet use and to enforce them.
When, in the course of their duties, employees and volunteers become aware
of studentpromptly report violations, they are expected to stop the activity
and inform the building to the principal or other appropriate administrator.
H. Employees shallmay be held financially responsible for any losses, costs, or
damages incurred by the District related to violations of this policy and other
rules or regulationsresulting from misuse.
VI. The District assumes no responsibilityStudent Use of Technology
A. Students will use district technology for any unauthorized charges made by
employeeseducational purposes during designated instructional hours and
under appropriate supervision.
B. Students may not use technology to engage in conduct that violates the
Student Code of Conduct, including but not limited to credit card charges,
subscriptions, long distance telephone charges, equipment and line
costsplagiarism, cheating, harassment, or bullying.
C. Students must comply with all provisions of this policy and related
regulations.
VII. Authority and Responsibility
The superintendent or designee will:
A. Develop administrative regulations to implement this policy.
B. Ensure ongoing monitoring and evaluation of district technology use and
internet safety measures.
C. Provide regular training for any illegal use of its computers or other
technologiesstaff and students on responsible technology use and emerging
risks.
VIII. References
● Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA)
● Board Policy JCDAG – Internet Safety and Cyberbullying
● Board Policy IFBG(R) – Acceptable Use Regulation
● Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

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