FILE: EFA
TECHNOLOGY AND INTERNET USE
With advances in technology and the sharing of information, the Orleans Parish School Board recognizes the need to better utilize the resources available over the Internet. The School Board is also cognizant of the unique challenges the School Board faces in maintaining appropriate access and control of the vast information available, as well as the internal storage and maintenance of information and records utilized by the school system over its technology network.
Network resources and technology shall be provided for educational purposes and to carry out the legitimate business of the School Board. The term educational purposes includes classroom activities and assignments, directed student research, interpersonal communication, professional development, collaborative projects, and dissemination of successful educational practices, methods, and materials. The School Board expects all employees, students, School Board members, and any other users, who use computing and network resources of the School Board, including electronic mail and telecommunications tools, to apply them in appropriate ways to the performance of responsibilities associated with their positions and assignments.
The Superintendent shall be responsible for establishing appropriate guidelines for exploring and using Internet resources within the school district to enhance learning and teaching activities. Acceptable use of these resources shall be consistent with the philosophy, goals, and objectives of the Orleans Parish School Board.
INTERNET SAFETY
In compliance with the Children’s Internet Protection Act, the School Board shall use a technology protection measure that blocks and/or filters Internet access to Internet sites which contain harmful materials or information, such as sites that contain obscene, pornographic, pervasively vulgar, excessively violent, or sexually harassing material or information, or sites that may contain information on the manufacturing of bombs or incendiary devices. The technology protection measure that blocks and/or filters Internet access may be disabled by an authorized individual for bona fide research purposes with the permission of the Superintendent or authorized designee(s). This disabling is permissible only for a student seventeen (17) years of age or older or an authorized employee for the purpose as stated.
The network and Internet user shall be held responsible for his/her actions and activities. Responsibilities include efficient, ethical and legal utilization of network resources.
As a matter of public law, any document pertaining to the public business on a publicly funded system is a public record, and this law applies to records stored on district computers.
INTERNET USAGE
Any use of the Internet that adversely affects its operation in pursuit of teaching and learning or jeopardizes its use or performance for other community members is prohibited and may result in loss of Internet privileges, suspension or other appropriate disciplinary action. The provisions of this policy shall also apply to the use of private e-mail accounts when access is attained using School Board equipment or networks and to access attained through any authorized personal digital device while on School Board property.
ACCOUNTABILITY
Faculty and staff use of school computers or the Internet shall be reserved for educational purposes and the conducting of business aspects of the School Board. All personnel using school computers or a computer network located on school property, or computers accessing the Internet shall be accountable for their use. Teacher or class files on the network shall be treated as School Board property subject to control and inspection by School Board personnel. Users agree to provide access to their devices in case an inspection is warranted. Use of the Internet, the School Board’s network resources, and/or any computers shall be considered a privilege and any inappropriate use may result in appropriate disciplinary action and loss of privileges to use any technology equipment or resources.
The School Board does not condone any illegal or inappropriate activities and shall not be responsible for such use by staff or students. The School Board does not guarantee the right to use the Internet and reserves the right to suspend or terminate the privilege of any individual at its sole discretion without notice, cause, or reason. Failure to adhere to pertinent policies and/or regulations may result in the loss of computer privileges, access to the Internet and electronic mail account and may result in further disciplinary action up to and including termination. Furthermore, any activity that may be in violation of local, state, or federal laws shall be reported to the appropriate law enforcement agency.
Access to the information resources infrastructure, sharing of information, and security of intellectual products, all require that each and every user accept responsibility to protect the rights of the community. Any materials or files, such as, but not limited to, lesson plans, schedules, letters, memos, documents, programs, spreadsheets, databases, and/or presentations created with Orleans Parish School Board equipment and/or facilities, or during periods for which the employee is compensated by the School Board becomes the intellectual property of Orleans Parish School Board. Any employee of the School Board who, without authorization, accesses, uses, destroys, alters, dismantles or disfigures any School Board information technologies, properties or facilities, including those owned by third parties, thereby threatens the atmosphere of increased access and sharing of information, threatens the security within which members of the School Board’s technology network may create intellectual products and maintain records, and has engaged in unethical and unacceptable behavior.
Users shall be responsible for the content of e-mail messages in their account. School Board administrators may at any time review communications to maintain integrity system-wide and ensure that staff members are using the system responsibly. Inappropriate or profane messages, as well as messages that disrupt the educational and administrative goals of the School Board may result in loss of privileges and/or disciplinary action. Messages relating to, or in support of, illegal activities may be reported to the appropriate authorities.
An employee who encounters a problem with a School Board computer, the School Board’s network or his/her assigned e-mail account shall immediately report the problem to the Superintendent or his/her designee. Anyone witnessing an employee or student abusing a School Board computer and/or the School Board’s network shall report such information immediately to the Superintendent or his/her designee.
UNAUTHORIZED AND ILLEGAL USE
While using School Board computers and the technology network, faculty and staff may not be under direct supervision, but shall abide by School Board policy and administrative regulations and procedures governing the use of School Board computers and the School Board’s technology network.
Tampering with selection menus, procedures, or icons for the purpose of misleading or confusing other users shall be prohibited. Any use by any person of School Board technology resources that incurs expenses to the school other than the monthly user fees and rates shall be strictly prohibited. Furthermore, the computer system shall not be used for commercial, political or religious purposes.
Use of School Board technology resources for any illegal activities shall also be prohibited. Illegal activities may include but are not limited to: (a) tampering with computer hardware or software, (b) unauthorized entry into computers and files (hacking), (c) knowledgeable vandalism or destruction of equipment, (d) deletion of computer files, and (e) bullying or harassing activities. Such activities are considered a crime under state and federal law.
SECURITY
Teachers and other personnel who have computers in their charge shall be responsible for the security of those computers in terms of both hardware and software. Computers must be secured such that students acting without the consent or supervision of a teacher or administrator cannot enter the network or access the Internet. Computers and other network capable devices owned by the School Board but used off School Board property shall be used in compliance with all provisions of this policy.
Employees should not allow others to have access to or use their e-mail accounts or disclose their, or others’ passwords.
Employee’s e-mail accounts shall not be readily accessible by students.
REGULATIONS
Use of Technology Resources and Internet
The following regulations, terms, and conditions for the use of computers and other technology equipment and Internet resources shall not be all-inclusive, but only representative and illustrative. A user who commits an act of misconduct or inappropriateness which is not listed may also be subject to disciplinary action or termination or may be subject to appropriate criminal or civil prosecution. All users, including students, employees, or any other users of School Board computers, hardware, and School Board network shall abide by all policies of the School Board and any applicable administrative regulations and procedures.
The user shall abide by such laws, School Board policies, administrative regulations and procedures concerning technology use within the school system.
In general, employees shall be expected to communicate in a professional manner consistent with state laws governing the behavior of school employees and with federal laws governing copyright. Electronic mail and telecommunications shall not be utilized for unauthorized disclosure, inappropriate contact with employees or students, use and dissemination of personal identification or confidential information regarding any student or employee.
Employees shall not post any e-mail or other messages or materials on school or district networks or the Internet that are indecent, vulgar, lewd, slanderous, abusive, threatening, sexually harassing, or terrorizing, or considered inappropriate by School Board standards.
Employees shall not abuse or waste network resources through frivolous and non-educational use or send chain letters or annoying unnecessary letters to large numbers of people.
The School Board’s administration may review any stored records, files or programs to which users have access and shall edit or remove any material which the Superintendent or his/her designee, believes is in violation of its policies and procedures. As a user of the School Board's technology and networks, including but not limited to the Internet, the user shall consent to the monitoring, access and review by the Superintendent or his/her designee of any stored electronic communications, including but not limited to e-mail transmission.
Any software not created by the user shall be considered as copyrighted. A user shall not copy or distribute copyrighted or proprietary material without the written consent of the copyright holder nor violate copyright or patent laws or the license concerning computer software, documentation or other tangible assets.
The user shall not install any software without consent from the appropriate supervisor.
In consideration for the privilege of using the School Board’s technology network and resources, the user shall release the Orleans Parish School Board from any and all claims arising from the use/inability to use the technology and network and resources.
The user shall agree to indemnify the Orleans Parish School Board for any loss suffered by the School Board for any improper use of the School Board’s technology network, and to compensate anyone harmed by its improper use.
The information provided through the technology network shall be offered as a service and shall not be a substitute for individual professional consultation.
The proper use of any user ID/password which may be assigned is the ultimate responsibility of the individual whose name it has been assigned. User ID's and passwords shall not be shared under any circumstances.
The use of technology resources of the School Board is a privilege which may be revoked at any time for any violation of laws, policies, regulations or procedures. The Superintendent shall decide what is inappropriate use and such decision shall be final. Such violations would include, but not be limited to,
Submits, publishes, or displays on School Board owned or maintained resources any material that is illegal, defamatory, inaccurate, abusive, violent, profane, sexually oriented, racially offensive, obscene, encourages the use of controlled substances, or is otherwise offensive to users.
Violates such matters as institutional or third party copyright, license agreements and other contracts.
Interferes with the intended use of electronic information resources.
Seeks to gain or gains unauthorized access to information resources.
Uses or knowingly allows another to use any computer, network, system, program, or software to conduct any commercial or personal business or activity, or solicit the performance of any activity which is prohibited by law.
Uses or knowingly allows another to use any computer, network, system, program, or software to devise or execute any artifice or scheme to defraud or obtain money, property, services, or other things of value by false pretenses, promises, or representations.
Uses or knowingly allows another to use any computer, network, system, program, or software for commercial purposes, product advertisement, solicitation of other staff or students to use goods or services, or political lobbying.
Without authorization, destroys, alters, dismantles, disfigures, prevents rightful access to, or otherwise interferes with, the integrity of computer-based information, and/or information resources.
Willfully introduces a computer virus, worm, or other harmful program to any computer or network.
Accesses, stores or disseminates information regarding the manufacture of bombs or other incendiary devices.
Refuses to develop, implement, or maintain security procedures that ensure the integrity of individual and institutional files.
No personal or student information which is protected by the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act, or state law, shall be disseminated on or through the School Board's technology systems and networks, including but not limited to the Internet. Storing of any data protected by FERPA on non-district or non-school-owned devices shall be strictly prohibited.
Use of E-Mail and Voice Mail
The Orleans Parish School Board, as a courtesy, may provide electronic mail (e-mail) to its employees and students and telephone voice mail access to its employees. These communication systems shall be considered property of the School Board and shall be subject to monitoring at any time, with or without notice, at the sole discretion of the Superintendent or his/her designee. Accordingly, regulations for participation by anyone using e-mail or voice mail shall include but not be limited to the following:
Users must demonstrate honesty, integrity, and respect for others at all times. Appropriate manners and language shall be required.
No user shall engage in unauthorized access, including so called “hacking” and other unlawful activities.
No user shall disclose, use, and disseminate any personal information regarding himself or herself or any other person except as required as an element of an instructional program under the direct supervision of the teacher or other professional designated by the teacher.
No user shall disclose contact information (e.g. address, phone number) about any other person except as required as an element of an instructional program under the direct supervision of the teacher or other professional designated by the teacher.
Threatening, profane, abusive or any messages that contain obscene, pornographic, pervasively vulgar, excessively violent, or sexually harassing information or material shall be forbidden.
Any messages that are derogatory, defamatory, obscene, or otherwise inappropriate for the school or workplace shall be forbidden. The content of these messages shall include but not limited to remarks about an individual, group or organization’s race, age, disability, religion, national origin, physical attributes or sexual orientation.
The policies of the School Board concerning discrimination, sexual harassment, threats, and workplace violence apply in full to e-mail, voice mail, Internet or other network use.
The e-mail and voice mail systems are intended for educational and business use and the School Board reserves the right to review, audit, and disclose all matters sent or retrieved using the School Board’s network resources or placed into its storage.
All communications sent in e-mail or voice mail using the School Board’s network resources may not disclose any confidential or proprietary School Board information. With proper permission from the Superintendent or his/her designee, employees may send selected information in an encrypted form.
DISCIPLINE AND DUE PROCESS
Compliance with this policy shall be a condition of employment. Any employee who violates this policy shall be subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination.
The results of any investigation conducted under this policy shall be considered admissible evidence in any proceeding related to workers’ compensation or claims for unemployment compensation and in any other administrative proceeding, hearing or civil litigation when the inappropriate use of the School Board’s technology resources is relevant.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
All technology resources and equipment shall only be used for lawful purposes. Unlawful transmission of information or material in violation of Federal and/or State laws could lead to prosecution of an individual or individuals responsible for the unlawful action. The user shall abide by the provisions of this policy and shall be held responsible for any unethical or illegal activity. Any violation of this policy may mean loss of online privileges and/or disciplinary measures by the Superintendent and/or School Board. Any inappropriate activity by the user that constitutes a criminal offense shall be the legal responsibility of the user and not the school, school district, or School Board.
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
The Orleans Parish School Board technology network and computer system is provided on an “as is, as available” basis. The School Board does not make any warranties, whether expressed or implied, including, without limitation, those of fitness for a particular purpose with respect to any services provided by the system and any information or software contained therein. The School Board uses a variety of vendor-supplied hardware and software. Therefore, the School Board does not warrant that the functions or services performed by, or that the information or software contained on the system will meet the user’s requirements. Neither does the School Board warrant that the technology network and any components shall be uninterrupted or error-free, nor that defects shall be corrected.
The School Board shall not be responsible for any damage users may suffer, including, but not limited to, loss, damage or unavailability of data stored on school district diskettes, tapes, hard drives or servers, or for delays or changes in or interruptions of service or misdeliveries or nondeliveries of information or materials, regardless of the cause. The School Board shall not be responsible for the accuracy or quality of any advice, service, or information obtained through or stored on school district computers and technology network. The School Board shall not be responsible for financial obligations arising through unauthorized use of the School Board technology network or the Internet.
Opinions, advice, services, and all other information expressed by system users, information providers, service providers, or other third party individuals in the system are those of the providers and not necessarily the School Board.
The School Board shall cooperate fully with local, state, or federal officials in any investigation concerning or relating to misuse of or illegal activities conducted over the School Board’s computer systems and networks.
Ref: 20 USC 7131 (Internet Safety)
47 USC 254 (Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA))
La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§17:81, 17:100.7, 17:280
Orleans Parish School Board