STAFF USE OF COMPUTERIZED INFORMATION RESOURCES REGULATION
The District’s computer system (DCS hereafter) is provided for staff to enhance
the educational programs of the District, to further District goals and
objectives; and to conduct research and communicate with others.
Generally, the same standards of acceptable staff conduct which apply to any
aspect of job performance shall apply to use of the DCS. The standards of
acceptable use as well as prohibited conduct by staff accessing the DCS, as
outlined in District policy and regulation, are not intended to be
all-inclusive. The staff member who commits an act of misconduct which is not
specifically addressed in District policy and/or regulation may also be subject
to disciplinary action, including loss of access to the DCS as well as the
imposition of discipline under the law and/or the applicable collective
bargaining agreement. Legal action may also be initiated against a staff member
who willfully, maliciously or unlawfully damages or destroys property of the
District.
Staff is encouraged to utilize electronic communications in their roles as
employees of the District. Staff are also encouraged to utilize electronic means
to exchange communications with parents/guardians or homebound students, subject
to appropriate consideration for student privacy. Such usage shall be limited to
school related issues or activities. Communications over the DCS are often
public in nature; therefore, general rules and standards for professional
behavior and communications will apply.
The District’s policies and accompanying regulations on staff and student use of
computerized information resources establish guidelines for staff to follow in
instruction and in working with students on acceptable student use of the DCS,
including access to external computer networks.
PRIVACY RIGHTS
Staff data files, E-mail and electronic storage areas shall remain District
property, subject to District control and inspection. The Director of Technology
and/or his designee may access all such files and communications to insure
system integrity and that users are complying with requirements of District
policy and accompanying regulations. Staff should NOT expect that information
stored on the DCS will be private.
PROHIBITIONS
It is not the intention of this regulation to define all inappropriate usage.
However, in addition to the general requirements of acceptable staff behavior,
activities which shall be prohibited by staff members using the DCS include, but
are not limited to, the following:
1) Using the DCS which in any way results in unauthorized charges or expense to
the District.
2) Damaging, disabling or otherwise interfering with the operation of computers,
computer systems, software or related equipment through physical action or by
electronic means.
3) Using unauthorized software on the DCS. No software may be loaded on
district-owned computers except by members of the Technology Department or the
building Technology Specialist.
4) Changing, copying, renaming, deleting, reading or otherwise accessing files
or software not created by the staff member without express permission from the
computer coordinator.
5) Violating copyright law.
6) Employing the DCS for commercial purposes or product advertisement.
7) Disclosing an individual password to others or using others’ passwords.
8) Sharing confidential information on students and employees.
9) Sending or displaying offensive messages or pictures.
10) Using obscene language.
11) Harassing, insulting or attacking others. Engaging in practices that
threaten the DCS (e.g. loading files that may introduce a virus).
12) Assisting a student to violate District policy and/or regulation, or failing
to report knowledge of any student violations of the District’s policy and
regulation on student use of computerized information resources.
13) Use which violated any other aspect of Base School District policy and/or
regulations, as well as local, state or federal laws or regulations.
14) There is to be no transfer of electronic data using floppy disks, CD-roms,
memory sticks or any other transfer media. If files need to be worked on outside
of the workplace they can be transferred via email.
15) No files may be saved to the Local Drive (hard drive). All files must be
saved on the network.
16) There is to be no personal computer equipment used in the district other
than the equipment that is owned and maintained by the district.
Any user of the DCS that accesses another network or others computer resources
shall be subject to that network’s acceptable use policy.
SANCTIONS
Reports of inappropriate behavior, violations or complaints will be routed to
the staff member’s supervisor for appropriate action. Violations may result in a
loss of access to the DCS and/or disciplinary action. When applicable, law
enforcement agencies may be involved.
NOTIFICATION
All staff will be given a copy of the District’s policies on staff and student
use of computerized information resources and the regulations established in
connection with those policies. Each staff member will sign an Acceptable Use
Agreement ( Form # 6470F ) before establishing an account or continuing their
use of the DCS.
MIDDLETOWN SCHOOL DISTRICT
AGREEMENT FOR STAFF USE OF COMPUTERIZED INFORMATION RESOURCES
In consideration for the privilege of using the Middletown School District’s
Computer System (DCS), I agree that I have been provided with a copy of the
District’s policies on staff and student use of computerized information
resources and the regulations established in connection with those policies. I
agree to adhere to the staff policy and the regulations and to any changes or
additions later adopted by the District. I shall report all student violations
of the District’s policy on student use of computerized information resources to
District officials
I understand that failure to comply with these policies and accompanying
regulations may result in the loss of my access to the DCS and may, in addition,
result in the imposition of discipline under the law and/or the applicable
collective bargaining agreement. I further understand that the District reserves
the right to pursue legal action against me if I willfully, maliciously or
unlawfully damage or destroy property of the District.
________________________________________ Staff Member Signature
________________________________________ Date
________________________________________ School / Building
See Board policy 6470