The Board
of Education recognizes that as telecommunications and other new technologies
shift the manner in which information is accessed, communicated and transferred
that those changes will alter the nature of teaching and learning. Access to telecommunications will allow
pupils to explore databases, libraries, Internet sites, bulletin boards and the
like while exchanging information with individuals throughout the world. The Board supports access by pupils to information
sources but reserves the right to limit in school use to materials appropriate
to educational purposes. The Board directs the Superintendent to effect
training of teaching staff members in skills appropriate to analyzing and
evaluating such resources as to appropriateness for educational purposes.
The Board
also recognizes that telecommunications will allow pupils access to information
sources that have not been pre-screened by educators using Board approved
standards. The Board therefore adopts the following standards of conduct for the
use of computer networks and declares unethical, unacceptable or illegal
behavior as just cause for taking disciplinary action, limiting or revoking
network access privileges and/or instituting legal action.
The Board
provides access to computer network/computers for educational purposes
only. The Board retains the right to
restrict or terminate pupil access to the computer network/computers at any
time, for any reason. The Board retains
the right to have district personnel monitor network activity, in any form
necessary, to maintain the integrity of the network and insure its proper use.
Standards
for Use of Computer Networks
Any
individual engaging in the following actions when using computer
networks/computers shall be subject to discipline or legal action:
A. Using the computer network(s)/computers
for illegal, inappropriate or obscene purposes, or in support of such
activities. Illegal activities are
defined as activities that violate federal, state, local laws and
regulations. Inappropriate activities
are defined as those that violate the intended use of the network. Obscene activities shall be defined as a
violation of generally accepted social standards for use of publicly owned and
operated communication vehicles.
B. Using the computer network(s)/computers to
violate copyrights, institutional or third party copyrights, license agreements
or other contracts.
C. Using the computer network(s) in a manner
that:
1. Intentionally disrupts network traffic or
crashes the network;
2. Degrades or disrupts equipment or system
performance;
3. Uses the computing resources of the school
district for commercial purposes, financial gain or fraud;
4. Steals data or other intellectual
property;
5. Gains or seeks unauthorized access to the
files of others or vandalizes the data of another user;
6. Gains or seeks unauthorized access to
resources or entities;
7. Forges electronic mail messages or uses an
account owned by others;
8. Invades privacy of others;
9. Posts anonymous messages;
10. Possesses any data which is a violation of
this policy; and/or
11. Engages in other activities that do not
advance the educational purposes for which computer network/computers are
provided.
Internet
Safety/Protection
The
school district is in compliance with the Children's Internet Protection Act
and has installed technology protection measures for all computers in the
school district, including computers in media centers/libraries, that block
and/or filter visual depictions that are obscene as defined in section 1460 of
Title 18, United States Code; child pornography, as defined in section 2256 of
Title 18, United States Code; are harmful to minors including any pictures,
images, grahic image file or other visual depiction that taken as a whole and
with respect to minors, appeals toa a prurient interest in nudity, sex, or
excretion; or depicts, describes, or represents in a patently offensive way,
with respect to what is suitable for minors, sexual acts or conduct; or taken
as a whole, lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value as
to minors.
The
school district will certify on an annual basis, that the schools, including
media centers/libraries, in the district are in compliance with the Children's
Internet Protection Act and the school district enforces the requirements of
this policy.
This
policy also establishes Internet safety policy and procedures in the district
as required in the Neighborhood Children's Internet Protection Act. Policy 2361 addresses access by minors to
inappropriate matter on the Internet and World Wide Web; the safety and
security of minors when using electronic mail, chat rooms, and other forms of
direct electronic communications; unauthorized access, including
"hacking" and other unlawful activities by minors online;
unauthorized disclosures, use, and dissemination of personal indentification
information regarding minors; and meausres designed to restrict minors' access
to materials harmful to minors.
Notwithstanding
blocking and/or filtering the visual depictions prohibited in the Children's
Internet Protection Act, the Board shall determine other Internet material that
is inappropriate for minors. The Board
will provide reasonable public notice and will hold one annual public hearing
during a regular monthly board meeting or during a designated special board
meeting to address and receive public community input on the Internet safety
policy - Policy and Regulation 2361.
Consent
Requirement
No pupil
shall be allowed to use the computer network and the Internet unless they shall
have filed with the Principal or designee a consent form signed by the pupil
and his/her parent(s) or guardian(s).
Violations
Individuals
violating this policy shall be subject to the consequences as indicated in
Regulation No. 2361 and other appropriate discipline which includes but are not
limited to:
1. Use of the network only under direct
supervision;
2. Suspension of network privileges;
3. Revocation of network privileges;
4. Suspension of computer privileges;
5. Revocation of computer privileges;
6. Suspension from school;
7. Expulsion from school; and/or
8. Legal action and prosecution by the
authorities.
N.J.S.A.
2A:38A-3
Federal
Communications Commission: Children's
Internet Protection Act.
Adopted: 19 October 2000
Revised: 25 March 2002