COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY AND NETWORKS

The Board of Education is committed to the effective use of technology to both enhance the quality of student learning and the efficiency of District operations. It also recognizes that safeguards have to be established to ensure that the District’s investment in both hardware and software is achieving the benefits of technology and inhibiting negative side effects.

The Superintendent shall be responsible for the management of the Board’s technology system and for making the arrangements for any networks which may be used to enhance the educational program and/or operations of the District.

She/He shall be responsible for implementing the guidelines established for program development, the selection of materials and equipment, and the District’s purchasing guidelines. In addition, the Superintendent shall make sure that the appropriate agreement is complete for each staff member and student who will have access to Board technology and any networks.

All tentative agreements with networks or technology agencies are to be submitted to the Superintendent for review and approval.

It is essential that staff members and students be provided the following information concerning the use of the Internet. This can be done through written guidelines, professional development seminars, faculty and student meetings, and introductory remarks at the beginning of a course in which the Internet may be used.

Use of the Internet is to be related to one or more courses of study.

The Internet is not to be used by staff or students for discriminatory or unlawful purpose, including harassing or hazing any individual or group.

Prior to disseminating information across the Internet about a student such as name, address, or other identifying data including pictures, signed parental permission forms must be on file.

Because of the vast amount of information that can be retrieved from the world-wide network, teachers are responsible for training students to use proper research skills when retrieving information. It is inappropriate, costly, and a waste of valuable instructional time for staff and/or students to download large quantities of information that has not been checked ahead of time for accuracy, relevancy, and probable usage. It may be helpful, therefore, for teachers to conduct some controlled exercises with students on how to differentiate between web-sites that are “attractive but superficial or irrelevant” from those that are attractive, substantive, and relevant.

Staff members need to have back-up plans or contingency procedures in place for times when the Internet may not be accessible. Since the Internet is primarily a data-gathering mechanism, alternative sources for needed data should be available so that students can accomplish the purpose of the instruction within the established time period.

Students and staff must not use any District provided technology including the Internet and other information and communication technologies such as e-mail, cell phone and paper text messages or instant messaging to harass, haze, disparage, or defame any individual or group.

Student and Staff Network and Internet Acceptable Use and Safety Agreements that students and staff members must sign prohibits the use of the Internet for unethical purposes or to obtain information that could be considered obscene, pornographic, or unsuitable for children. If a question of interpretation arises concerning the definition of these terms, the building principal shall have the authority to determine whether the web site is appropriate. Prior to accessing or allowing access to information that the staff member is unsure about, she/he should consult with the administration.

As students and/or staff members complete projects which reflect unusual and creative applications of technology, the projects should be shared with administration so that proper publicity can be created as appropriate to the project. It is essential that the Student and Staff Network and Internet Acceptable Use and Safety Agreements address the issue of the proprietary rights related to web site design concerning web sites and/or pages hosted on the Board’s servers.