Student Network & Internet Policy
School Board Approved on May 14, 2018
PREFACE
Technology in Mulvane USD 263 is a part of our everyday teaching and learning process. The use of technological advancements is an essential part of the workplace and world. Mulvane USD 263 maintains clear guidelines regarding the use of the district’s hardware, software, network, and Internet privileges. All district employees and students are expected to adhere to these published guidelines. Restrictive consequences may be implemented in response to violations of these guidelines. Mulvane USD 263 may maintain filtering but does not guarantee the scope or nature of information that may be encountered through its technology services. Parents, students, and employees will be able to access guidelines. These approved guidelines are on file with the Clerk of the USD 263 School Board and the district website: www.usd263.com
EDUCATIONAL PURPOSE
The Mulvane USD 263 network has been established for educational purposes. The term “educational purpose” includes classroom activities and career development. A minimal amount of time may be used for personal research that is acceptable to the district Technology Director or designee, as long as it does not interfere with a person’s primary educational responsibilities.
The Mulvane USD 263 network has not been established as a public access service or a public forum. Mulvane USD 263 has the right to place reasonable restrictions on the material you access or post through the system.
You may not use the Mulvane USD 263 network for personal commercial purposes. This means you may not offer, provide, or purchase products or services for personal reasons through the Mulvane USD 263 network.
The district has adopted the following guidelines to govern the conduct of those who elect to access the computer network or district network.
INTERNET ACCESS
Staff and students will have supervised and filtered access to the Internet. Internet access is filtered, monitored, and logged.
Internet access is currently monitored and logged on and off district campuses for any user accessing the Internet with district managed credentials. Monitoring includes software installed on all servers and Internet devices.
An administrator or supervisor may request Internet filters be disabled and/or modified, to enable access to bona fide research or other lawful purpose.
The use of e-mail, chat rooms, and other direct communication will be used in a lawful, age-appropriate, and educational nature. Educational professionals will monitor these communication systems.
PERSONAL SAFETY
Posting or giving out personal or district information is a safety and security issue and should only be done to meet educational purposes approved by the district. Personal contact information includes your e-mail address, home or mailing address, telephone, school address, work address, etc.
Students are to promptly disclose to the immediate instructor, and staff members are to promptly disclose to the immediate supervisor any message received that is inappropriate or makes them feel uncomfortable.
ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES
You will not attempt to gain unauthorized access to the Mulvane USD 263 network or to any other computer system through the USD 263 network or go beyond your authorized access. This includes attempting to log in through another person’s account or accessing another person’s files. These actions are illegal, even if only for the purpose of “browsing”.
You will not make deliberate attempts to disrupt the computer system or destroy data by spreading computer viruses or by any other means. These actions are illegal.
You will not use the Mulvane USD 263 network to engage in any other illegal act, such as arranging for a drug sale or the purchase of alcohol, engaging in criminal gang activity, threatening the safety of a person, etc.
Do not intentionally download or distribute anything that would be inappropriate or could cause harm.
You will not download and install anything on district computers, other hardware, or the Mulvane USD 263 network without authorization of the district Technology Director or designee.
SYSTEM SECURITY
You are responsible for your individual account(s) and should take all reasonable precautions to prevent others from being able to use your account(s). Passwords are not to be shared. This includes all Mulvane USD 263 network and/or personal passwords.
You will immediately notify the district Technology Director or designee if you have identified a possible security or operating problem. Do not go looking for security problems because this may be construed as an illegal attempt to gain access.
Use only software that is approved by the district Technology Director or designee on district computers, other hardware, or the Mulvane USD 263 network. Other software is not allowed. Loading software or downloading information is prohibited unless authorized by the district Technology Director or designee.
All laptops or other devices that are owned by the district may be connected to the network. The district Technology Director or designee must first approve connecting laptops or other devices from other outside sources to the Mulvane USD 263 network.
INAPPROPRIATE LANGUAGE
You will not use obscene, profane, lewd, vulgar, rude, inflammatory, threatening, harassing, offensive, prejudicial, and/or discriminatory language.
You will not post information that could cause damage or a danger of disruption.
You will not harass another person. Harassment is persistently acting in a manner that distresses or annoys another person. If you are told by a person to stop sending messages, you must stop.
You will not knowingly or recklessly post false or defamatory information about a person or organization.
RESPECT FOR PRIVACY
You will not repost a message that was sent to you privately without permission of the person who sent you the message.
You will not post private information about another person.
PUBLISHING TO THE INTERNET
The district may publish photos of district employees, parents, and students to the district website. Student work, student projects, and student achievements may additionally be published to the Internet.
The district’s permission to publish a district employee, parent, and/or student’s photo, work, project, and/or achievement may be revoked by submitting a specific request in writing. This request should be turned in to the appropriate district or school’s main office.
RESPECTING RESOURCE LIMITS
You will not download large or numerous files unless absolutely necessary and with the approval of the district Technology Director or designee. If approved, you will download file(s) at a time when the system is not being heavily used.
You will not send chain letters or engage in “spamming”. Spamming is sending an annoying or unnecessary message to a large number of people.
If you have an email account, you will check your email frequently and delete unwanted messages promptly.
Email is public record. District email is to be used for school related business. All email sent or received using the district’s email programs are subject to review and can be retrieved. Emails are covered by the Kansas Open Records Laws.
You will subscribe only to discussion group mail lists that are relevant to your education or career development.
Mulvane USD 263 currently provides G-mail accounts (e-mail) to district employees and students, and it will not utilize, support, manage, or administer any other e-mail accounts owned by district employees and students.
PLAGIARISMS AND COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT
You will not plagiarize works that you find on the Internet. Plagiarism is taking the ideas or writing of others and presenting them as if they were your own.
Copyrights will be respected. If you wish to reproduce material that is protected by a copyright, you will do so in accordance with the Copyright Laws. If you have any questions, you should ask the building administration or the librarian.
INAPPROPRIATE ACCESS TO MATERIAL
You will not use the Mulvane USD 263 network to access material that is profane or obscene (pornography) that advocates illegal or dangerous acts, or that advocates violence or discrimination towards other people (hate literature). A special exception may be made if the purpose of your access is to conduct research, and in the case of a student, it requires parent and teacher approval.
If you mistakenly access inappropriate information, students are to promptly inform the immediate instructor, and staff is to promptly inform their immediate supervisor. This will protect you against a claim that you have intentionally violated this policy.
YOUR RIGHTS
Free Speech: The Mulvane USD 263 network is considered a limited forum, similar to the school newspaper, and therefore the district may restrict your speech for valid educational reasons.
Privacy: The computers and other hardware, lines, software, files, and anything attached to them are the property of the district, and it is the student and/or staff’s privilege to use them. District employees may look at any files and/or emails that a student puts on the district computers, other hardware, Internet based software and/or websites utilized by the Mulvane USD 263, or the Mulvane USD 263 network. The district Technology Director or designee may look at any files and/or emails that a staff member or student puts on the district computers, other hardware, Internet based software and/or websites utilized by the Mulvane USD 263, or the Mulvane USD 263 network.
Due Process: The district will cooperate fully with local, state, or federal officials in any investigation related to any illegal activities conducted through the Mulvane USD 263 network. In the event there is a claim that you have violated the Technology Acceptable Use Policies in your use of the Mulvane USD 263 network, you will be provided with notice and opportunity to be heard in the matter set forth in USD 263 School Board approved policies. If the violation also involves a violation of other USD 263 School Board approved policies, it will be handled in same matter.
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
The district makes no guarantee that the functions or the services provided by or through the district system will be error-free or without defect. The district will not be responsible for any damage you or anyone else may suffer, including, but not limited to, loss of data or interruption of service.
The district is not responsible for the accuracy or quality of the information obtained through or stored on the system. The district will not be responsible for financial obligations arising through the use of the system. Users and/or parents/guardians can be held financially responsible to the district as a result of intentional system misuse.
If for some reason the parent/guardian does not want his/her student to have access to the Internet, the parent/guardian needs to contact the appropriate district or school’s main office and make the request in writing. The Internet has become an integral part of today’s classroom and the school district is being proactive in trying to safeguard the student while using the Internet.
HARDWARE/SOFTWARE REPAIR
Mulvane USD 263 has implemented specific software to be utilized by staff to report any needed hardware or software repair or attention. E-mail communication from the district technology department related to the progress/status of needed hardware or software repair or attention is integrated into this specific software. Reporting of needed hardware or software repair, external of this specific software, will be avoided when at all possible.
Students are to promptly inform the immediate instructor of any needed hardware or software repair.
Staff is to promptly inform the district technology department of any needed hardware or software repair by completing a help ticket within the software implemented for this specific purpose. Strong specific details and location will be included to assist in any needed repair or attention
It is possible that a computer or other hardware is unworkable and will need reconfigured. It may be necessary to erase any data previously saved on the device. This data most likely will not be retrievable.
MONITORING
The school district reserves the right to monitor, without prior notice, any and all usage of the computer network, district Internet access, and Internet access (on and off district campuses) for any user accessing the Internet with district managed credentials including, but not limited to, e-mail transmission and reception. Monitoring includes software installed on all servers and Internet capable devices. Any information gathered during monitoring may be copied, reviewed, and stored by Mulvane USD 263. All such information files shall be and remain the property of Mulvane USD 263, and no user shall have any expectations of privacy regarding his/her use of the computer network, the district Internet, and Internet access on and off district campuses for any user accessing the Internet with district managed credentials.
PENALTIES FOR IMPROPER USE
Access to the network and Internet is a privilege, not a right, and inappropriate use will result in the restriction of cancellation of the access. The district has the right to make the determination of what constitutes inappropriate use and use as an educational tool. Inappropriate use may lead to any disciplinary and/or legal action, up to and including suspension and/or expulsion of district students and suspension and/or termination of employees. Law enforcement shall be notified of inappropriate use, which may constitute a violation of Federal or state law and such may result in criminal prosecution.
POLICY MODIFICATIONS
It is not the responsibility of Mulvane USD 263 to update Mulvane users regarding any changes to the Technology Acceptable Use Policies. An online version of the Technology Acceptable Use Policies will be available to all users VIA the Clerk of the USD 263 School Board and the district website: www.usd263.com. Use of the Mulvane USD 263 Network/Internet shall constitute acceptance of the Technology Acceptable Use Policies and all future amendments, which may be adopted. Any user who determines that he/she cannot comply with all terms and conditions of the Technology Acceptable Use Policies, may notify the district Technology Director or designee to terminate his/her account.
GIFT ACCEPTANCE OF TECHNOLOGY HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE
Mulvane USD 263 will maintain separate USD 263 School Board approved policies related to donations and gifts (GAJ, JL, and KH) under the guidelines of K.S.A. 72-8210 (legal successor of rights and powers; bequests and donations).
DISPOSAL PROCESS OF TECHNOLOGY HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE
Mulvane USD 263 will maintain separate USD 263 School Board approved policies related to the disposal and/or distribution of surplus/expired equipment (KK and DFM).
Surplus equipment deemed to have no value may be disposed of by sending it to an appropriate recycling center or landfill.
The District Technology Director or designee shall advise the USD 263 School Board of the need for a surplus property sale by presenting a list of property to be disposed. District patrons may have the opportunity to secure surplus property at a reasonable price and to follow the proper ethical procedures needed when disposing of surplus equipment.
Adoption
This Internet Safety Policy was adopted by the USD 263 School Board of Mulvane USD 263 at a public meeting, following normal public notice, on May 14, 2018.
