Board Policy IFBG: Internet Acceptable Use

The DeKalb County School District provides technologies, networks, and Internet access to support the educational mission of the District and to enhance the curriculum and learning opportunities for students and District employees. These technology resources may be used only in support of education and research and consistent with the educational objectives of the District.

All guidelines set forth in this policy and any relevant 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. Internet services;

4. Telephone services; and

5. Cellular telephone services.

Acceptable use agreements must be signed by all users of District technologies or networks.

1. INTERNET SAFETY

2. The Superintendent shall, with respect to any computer or other technology connecting to the District network and having access to the Internet:

3. 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;

4. Ensure that minors are educated about 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 by CIPA and as set forth in Board Policy JCDAG; and

5. Implement, maintain, and enforce procedures or guidelines that provide for monitoring of the online activities of users and of the use of “technology protection measures” 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.

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

7. Provide for monitoring the online activities of users to limit, to the extent reasonably feasible, access by minors to inappropriate matter on the Internet;

8. Are designed to promote the safety and security of minors when using electronic mail, social media, and other forms of direct electronic communications;

9. Are designed to prevent unauthorized access, including so-called “hacking,” and other unauthorized activities by minors online;

10. Are designed to prevent the unauthorized disclosure, use, and dissemination of personal identification information regarding minors;

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

12. Establish consequences for students and employees who willfully violate acceptable-use procedures.

13. EMPLOYEE USE OF TECHNOLOGY

District employees are to utilize the District’s technologies, networks, and Internet services only for District-related 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 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 of security 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.

District employees should report all known breaches of technology use or security to the Executive Director for Management Information Systems or the Office of Internal Affairs.

The District retains control, custody, and supervision of all technologies, networks, and Internet services owned or leased by the District. The District reserves the right to monitor all technology and Internet activity by all system users. Users have no expectation of privacy in their use of school technologies or networks, including e-mail messages and stored files.

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

Teachers, staff members, and volunteers who utilize school technology for instructional purposes with students have a duty of care to supervise such use. Teachers, staff, 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 student violations, they are expected to stop the activity and inform the building principal or other appropriate administrator.

Employees shall be responsible for any losses, costs, or damages incurred by the District related to violations of this policy and other rules or regulations.

The District assumes no responsibility for any unauthorized charges made by employees, including but not limited to credit card charges, subscriptions, long distance telephone charges, equipment and line costs, or for any illegal use of its computers or other technologies.