Technological resources, including computers, other
electronic devices, programs, networks and the Internet, provide opportunities to
enhance instruction, appeal to different learning styles and meet the
educational goals of the board. Through the
school system’s technological resources, users can observe events as they occur
around the world, interact with others on a variety of subjects, and acquire
access to current and in-depth information.
Use of technological resources should be integrated
into the educational program. Technological
resources should be used in teaching the North Carolina Standard Course of
Study and in meeting the educational goals of the board. The curriculum committee should provide
suggestions for using technological resources in the curriculum guides as
provided in policy 3115, Curriculum and Instructional Guides. Teachers are encouraged to further
incorporate the use of technological resources into their lesson plans.
The superintendent shall ensure that school system
computers with Internet access comply with federal requirements regarding
filtering software, Internet monitoring and Internet safety policies. The
superintendent shall develop any regulations and submit any certifications
necessary to meet such requirements.
A.
Requirements for Use
of Technological Resources
The use of school system technological resources, such
as computers and other electronic devices, networks, and the Internet, is a
privilege, not a right. Before using the
Internet, all students must be trained about appropriate on-line behavior. Such training must cover topics such as
cyberbullying and interacting with others on social networking websites and in
chat rooms.
Anyone who uses school system computers or electronic
devices or who accesses the school network or the Internet at an educational
site must comply with the requirements listed below. All students and employees must receive a
copy of this policy annually. Failure to
adhere to these requirements will result in disciplinary action, including
revocation of user privileges. Willful
misuses may result in disciplinary action and/or criminal prosecution under
applicable state and federal law.
1.
School system technological
resources are provided for school-related purposes only. Acceptable uses of such technological
resources are limited to activities that support learning and teaching. Use of school system technological resources
for commercial gain or profit is prohibited.
2.
Under no
circumstance may software purchased by the school system be copied for personal
use.
3.
Students and
employees must comply with all applicable board policies, administrative
regulations, and school standards and rules in using technological resources. All applicable laws, including those relating
to copyrights and trademarks, confidential information, and public records,
apply to technological resource use. Any
use that violates state or federal law is strictly prohibited.
4.
No user of technological
resources, including a person sending or receiving electronic communications,
may engage in creating, intentionally accessing, downloading, storing, printing
or transmitting images, graphics (including still or moving pictures), sound
files, text files, documents, messages or other material that is obscene,
defamatory, profane, pornographic, harassing or considered to be harmful to
minors.
5.
Users of technological
resources may not send electronic communications fraudulently (i.e., by
misrepresenting the identity of the sender).
6.
Users must
respect the privacy of others. When
using e-mail, chat rooms, blogs or other forms of electronic communication,
students must not reveal personally identifiable, private or confidential
information, such as the home address or telephone number, of themselves or
fellow students.
7.
Users may not
intentionally or negligently damage computers, computer systems, electronic
devices, software or computer networks. Users
may not knowingly or negligently transmit computer viruses or self-replicating
messages or deliberately try to degrade or disrupt system performance. Users must scan any downloaded files for
viruses.
8.
Users may not
create or introduce games, network communications programs or any foreign
program or software onto any school system computer, electronic device or
network without the express permission of the technology director or designee.
9.
Users are
prohibited from engaging in unauthorized or unlawful activities, such as
“hacking” or using the computer network to gain or attempt to gain unauthorized
or unlawful access to other computers, computer systems or accounts.
10.
Users are
prohibited from using another individual’s computer account. Users may not read, alter, change, execute or
delete files belonging to another user without the owner’s express prior
permission.
11.
If a user identifies
a security problem on a technological resource, he or she must immediately
notify a system administrator. Users must
not demonstrate the problem to other users.
Any user identified as a security risk will be denied access.
12.
Teachers shall
make reasonable efforts to supervise a student’s use of the Internet during
instructional time.
13.
Views may be
expressed as representing the view of the school system or part of the school
system only with prior approval by the superintendent or designee.
B.
Restricted Material on the Internet
The board is aware that there is information on the
Internet that is not related to the educational program. The board also is aware that the Internet may
provide information and opportunities to communicate on subjects that are not
suitable for school-age children and that many parents would find
objectionable. School system personnel shall
take reasonable precautions to prevent students from having access to
inappropriate materials, such as violence, nudity, obscenity or graphic
language that does not serve a legitimate pedagogical purpose. The superintendent shall ensure that the
Internet service provider or technology personnel have installed a technology
protection measure that blocks or filters Internet access to audio or visual
depictions that are obscene, that are considered pornography or that are
harmful to minors. School officials may
disable such filters for an adult who uses a school-owned computer for bona
fide research or another lawful educational purpose. School system personnel may not restrict
Internet access to ideas, perspectives or viewpoints if the restriction is motivated
solely by disapproval of the ideas involved.
C.
Privacy
No right of privacy exists in the use of technological
resources. School system administrators
or individuals designated by the superintendent may review files, monitor all
communication, and intercept e-mail messages to maintain system integrity and
to ensure compliance with board policy and applicable laws and
regulations. School system personnel shall
monitor on-line activities of individuals who access the Internet via a
school-owned computer.
D.
Personal Websites
The superintendent may use any means available to
request the removal of personal websites that substantially disrupt the school
environment or that utilize school system or individual school names, logos or
trademarks without permission.
1.
Students
Though school
personnel generally do not monitor students’ Internet activity conducted on
non-school system computers during non-school hours, when the student’s on-line
behavior has a direct and immediate effect on school
safety or maintaining order and discipline in the schools, the student may be disciplined in accordance with
board policy (see the student behavior policies in the 4300 series).
2.
Employees
All employees must use the
school system network when communicating with students about any school-related
matters. Thus, employees may not use personal
websites or on-line networking profiles to post information in an attempt to communicate
with students about school-related matters.
Employees are to maintain an
appropriate relationship with students at all times. Employees are encouraged to block students
from viewing personal information on employee personal websites or on-line
networking profiles in order to prevent the possibility that students could
view materials that are not age-appropriate.
If an employee creates and/or posts inappropriate content on a website
or profile and it has a negative impact on the employee’s ability to perform
his or her job as it relates to working with students, the employee will be
subject to discipline up to and including dismissal. This section applies to all employees,
volunteers and student teachers working in the school system.
Legal References: U.S. Const. amend. I; Children’s Internet
Protection Act, 47 U.S.C. 254(h)(5); Electronic Communications Privacy Act, 18
U.S.C. 2510-2522; Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, 20 U.S.C. 1232g; 17
U.S.C. 101 et seq.; 20 U.S.C. 6777; G.S.
115C-325(e), -391
Cross References:
Curriculum and Instructional Guides (policy 3115), Technology in the
Educational Program (policy 3220), Copyright Compliance (policy 3230/7330), Web
Page Development (3227/7322), Student Behavior Policies (all policies in the
4300 series), Public Records – Retention, Release and Disposition (policy 5070/7350),
Use of Equipment, Materials and Supplies (policy 6520), Network Security
(policy 6524), Staff Responsibilities (policy 7300)
Issued:
December 11, 2002
Revised:
January 9, 2008; October 14, 2009