POLICY:
IJNDD
EFFECTIVE DATE: 10/3/18
CANCELS SHEET DATED: 5/5/04
REVIEWED BY POLICY
COMMITTEE: 9/12/18
EMPLOYEE COMPUTER, INTERNET USE, AND SERVICES
The intent of this RSU #74 School Board Policy is to
provide employees with general requirements for utilizing RSU #74’s computer, networks, Internet, and
services. This Policy may be
supplemented by more specific administrative procedures and rules governing
day-to-day management and operation of the computer system.
This Policy provides general guidelines and examples
of prohibited uses for illustrative purposes but does 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 Technology Coordinator
who is responsible for overseeing the implementation of this policy and for
developing any administrative procedures.
A.) Access to RSU #74 Computers, Networks, and Internet Services
The level of access that employees have to RSU #74 computers, networks, and Internet services
is based upon specific employee job requirements and needs.
B.) Acceptable
Use
Employee access to RSU #74 computers,
networks, and Internet services is provided for administrative, educational,
communication, and research purposes consistent with RSU #74’s educational mission, curriculum, and
goals. Employees are to utilize RSU #74’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 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 RSU #74 computers,
networks, Internet, and services and for his/her computer files, passwords, and
accounts. General examples of
unacceptable uses which are expressly prohibited, include but are not limited
to the following:
1.) Any
use that is illegal or in violation of other RSU #74 School Board policies,
including harassing, discriminatory or threatening communications and
behaviors, violations of copyright laws, etc.;
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 commercial, advertising or solicitation
purposes;
5.) Any
use as a forum for communicating by e-mail or any other media with other school
users or outside parties to solicit, proselytize, advocate or communicate the
views of an individual or non-school-sponsored organization to solicit
membership in or support of any non-school-sponsored organization. Employees who are uncertain as to whether
particular activities are acceptable should seek further guidance from the
building principal or other appropriate administrator;
6.) Any
communication that represent personal views as those of RSU #74 or that could be misinterpreted as such;
7.) Any
malicious use or disruption of RSU #74’s
computers, networks, Internet, and services or breach of security features;
8.) Any
communications that are in violation of generally accepted rules of network
etiquette and/or professional conduct;
9.) Failing
to report a known breach of computer security to the system administrator;
10.) Using RSU #74 computers,
networks, Internet, and services after such access had been denied or revoked;
11.) Any attempt to delete, erase or otherwise
conceal any information stored on a RSU #74 computer
that violates these rules;
12.) Downloading or loading software or
applications with attached licensing and/or fees required without permission
from the Information Technology Manager.
Unauthorized copying of software is illegal and may subject the copier
to substantial civil and criminal penalties;
13.) Sending mass e-mail to school users outside a
contained building or outside parties for school or non-school purposes without
the content being approved by the Superintendent;
14.) Sending mass e-mail to school users contained
within a building for school or non-school purposes without the content being
approved by the building principal.
15.) Any misuse or damage to RSU #74’s computers;
16.) Any attempt to access unauthorized sites;
17.) Misuse of the computer passwords or accounts
(employee or other users); and
18.) Opening or forwarding any e-mail attachments
(executable files) from unknown sources and/or that may contain viruses.
D.) No
Expectation of Privacy
RSU #74 retains
control, custody, and supervision of all computers, networks, and Internet
services owned or leased by RSU #74. RSU #74 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 e-mail
messages 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 RSU #74 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 RSU #74’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 or other
appropriate administrator.
G.) RSU #74 Assumes No Responsibility for Unauthorized
Charges, Costs or Illegal Use
RSU #74 assumes no
responsibility for 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 such as
copyright violations.
H.) Compensation
for Costs, Losses, and/or Damages
The employee shall be responsible for any costs, losses or
damages incurred by RSU #74 related to
violations of this Policy.
I.) Employee
Acknowledgment Required
Each employee authorized to access RSU #74 computers, networks, and Internet services
is required to sign an acknowledgment form stating that they have read Policy
IJNDD -- Employee Computer and Internet Use.
The acknowledgement form will be retained in the employee’s personnel
file.
Failure
to comply with Policy IJNDD -- Employee Computer and Internet Use and/or other
established procedures or rules governing RSU #74 computer
use may result in disciplinary action, up to and including discharge. Illegal use of RSU #74 computers will also result in referral to
law enforcement authorities.
I
acknowledge that I have read and understand
RSU #74’s Policy IJNDD -- Employee Computer and
Internet Use.
Dated:
__________________________________________
Signature:
_______________________________________
Name
(printed): _________________________________