Hackensack Board of Education POLICY 2361

      POLICYHACKENSACK


      BOARD OF EDUCATION 


PROGRAM
2361    
Acceptable Use of Computer  
Network/Computers and Resources
Adopted Jun 96
Revised Jun 01



      ACCEPTABLE USE OF COMPUTER NETWORK/COMPUTERS AND RESOURCE

The Board recognized 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 for 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 will employ and enforce a policy of Internet 
safety that includes the use of filtering and blocking technology. 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 the use of computer networks
Any individual engaging the following actions when using computer 
networks/computers shall be subject to discipline or legal action:
  Using the computer network(s)/computers for illegal, inappropriate or obscene 
  purposes, or in support of such activities. Illegal activities are defined as 
  activities, which 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. 
  Using the computer network(s)/computers to violate copyrights, institutional 
  or third party copyrights, license agreements or other contracts. 
  Using the computer network(s) in a manner that: 
    Intentionally disrupts network traffic or crashes the network; 
    Degrades or disrupts equipment or system performance; 
    Uses the computing resources of the school district for commercial purposes, 
    financial gain or fraud; 
    Steals data or other intellectual property; 
    Gains or seeks unauthorized access to the files of others or vandalizes the 
    data of another user; 
    Gains or seeks unauthorized access to resources or entitles; 
    Forges electronic mail messages or uses an account owned by others; 
    Invades privacy of others; 
    Posts anonymous messages; 
    Possesses any data which is a violation of this policy; and/or 
    Engages in other activities that do not advance the educational purposes for 
    which computer network/computers are provided. 
Consent Requirement 
Pupils shall be allowed to use the computer network and the Internet unless the 
parent(s) or guardian(s) has signed and filed a waiver form with the Principal 
against the use of computer networks or the Internet.
Violations
Individuals violating this policy shall be subject to the consequences as 
indicated in Regulation 2361 and other appropriate discipline, which includes 
but are not limited to:
  Use of the network only under direct supervision; 
  Suspension of network privileges; 
  Revocation of network privileges; 
  Suspension of computer privileges; 
  Revocation of computer privileges; 
  Suspension from school; 
  Expulsion of from school and/or 
  Legal action and prosecution by the authorities.