GCSA-R/EMPLOYEE COMPUTER AND INTERNET USE RULES
File: GCSA-R
EMPLOYEE COMPUTER AND INTERNET USE RULES
The intent of these MSAD #11 Board-level rules is to provide employees with general requirements for utilizing the District’s computers, equipment, networks, and the school computer services. The MSAD #11 Board rules may be supplemented by more specific administrative procedures and rules governing day-to-day management and operation of the computer system.
These rules provide general guidelines and examples of prohibited uses for illustrative purposes but do 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 Director of Technology.
Failure to comply with MSAD #11 Board policy GCSA, the rules and/or other established procedures or rules governing computer and equipment use may result in disciplinary action, up to and including discharge. Illegal uses of the District’s computers and/or equipment will also result in referral to law enforcement authorities.
A. Access to District Computers, Equipment, Networks and Internet Services
The level of access that employees have to District computers, and school computer services is based upon specific employee job requirements and needs.
B. Acceptable Use
Employee access to the District’s computers, and school computer services is provided for administrative, educational, communication and research purposes consistent with the District’s educational mission, curriculum and instructional goals. General rules and expectations of professional behavior and communication apply to use of the District’s computers, and school computer services.
Employees are to utilize the district’s computers, and school computer services for school-related purposes and performance of job duties. Incidental personal use of school computers, and school computer services is permitted as long as such use 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.
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File: GCSA-R
C. Prohibited Use
The employee is responsible for his/her actions and activities involving MSAD #11 computers, and school computer 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 Board policies, including
harassing, discriminatory or threatening communications and behavior, 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 email or any other medium
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; or to raise funds for any non-school-sponsored purpose, whether for-profit or not-for-profit. No employee shall knowingly provide school email addresses to outside parties whose intent is to communicate with school employees, students and/or families for non-school purposes. 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 represents personal views as those of the School
District or that could be misinterpreted as such;
7. Downloading or loading software or applications without permission from
the system administrator;
8. Unauthorized copying of software is illegal and may subject the copier to
substantial civil and criminal penalties;
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9. Opening or forwarding any email attachments (executable files) from
unknown sources and/or that may contain viruses;
10. Sending mass emails to school users or outside parties for school or non-
school purposes without the permission of the Superintendent;
11. Any malicious use or disruption of the School District’s computers,
and school computer services or breach of security features;
12. Any misuse or damage to the School District’s computer equipment;
13. Misuse of the computer passwords or accounts (employee or other users);
14. Any communications that are in violation of generally accepted rules of network etiquette and/or professional conduct;
15. Any attempt to access unauthorized sites;
16. Failing to report a known breach of computer security to the director of technology;
17. Using school computers, and school computer services such access has been denied or revoked; and
18. Any attempt to delete, erase, or otherwise conceal any information stored on a school computer that violates these rules.
D. No Expectation of Privacy
The District retains control, custody and supervision of all computers, and school computer services owned or leased by the District. The District 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 email 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.
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File: GCSA-R
F. Staff Responsibilities to Students
Teachers, staff members and volunteers who utilize school computers and equipment 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 the School district’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 director of technology.
G. Compensation for Losses, Costs, and/or Damages
The employee shall be responsible for any losses, costs, or damages incurred by the District related to violations of policy GCSA and/or these rules.
School Unit Assumes No Responsibility for Unauthorized Charges, Costs or
Illegal Use.
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 equipment such as copyright violations.
H. Additional Rules for Use of Privately Owned Computers by Employees
An employee who wishes to use a privately owned computer in school must sign an “Employee Privately owned Computer Use Form”.
The employee is responsible for proper care of his/her privately owned computer; including costs of repair, replacement, or any modifications needed to use the computer at school. The District is not responsible for damage, loss, or theft of any privately owned computers.
Employees are required to comply with all MSAD #11 Board policies/procedures and school rules while using school computer services on privately owned computers.
Employees have no expectation of privacy in their use of school computer services while using privately owned computers.
________________________________________
Employee Name (printed)
________________________________________ _____________
Employee Signature (printed) Date
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I. Employee Acknowledgment Required
Each employee authorized to access the MSAD #11’s computers, and school computer services is required to sign an acknowledgment form stating that they have read policy GCSA and these rules. The acknowledgment form will be retained in the employee’s personnel file.
Cross Reference: GCSA-Employee Computer and Internet Use
IJNDB – Student Computer and Internet Use
IJNDB-R –Student Computer and Internet Use Rules
Adopted: June 3, 2004
Revised: February 1, 2007; August 4, 2011
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