713 - Responsible Technology Use and Social Networking

Computers, electronic devices and other technology are powerful and valuable education and research tools and, as such, are an important part of the instructional program. In addition, the school district depends upon technology as an integral part of administering and managing the schools’ resources, including the compilation of data and recordkeeping for personnel, students, finances, supplies, and materials. This policy outlines the board’s expectations in regard to these different aspects of the school district’s computer technology resources. Students, staff, and volunteers must conduct themselves in a manner that does not disrupt the educational process and failure to do so may result in discipline, up to and including student discipline under all relevant district policies, and termination for employees.

General Provisions

The superintendent is responsible for designating a Technology Director who will oversee the use of school district technology resources. The Technology Director will prepare in-service programs for the training and development of school district staff and relevant volunteers in technology skills, appropriate use of district technology, and for the incorporation of technology use in subject areas.

The superintendent, working with appropriate staff, shall establish regulations governing the use and security of the school district’s technology resources. The school district will make every reasonable effort to maintain the security of the district networks and devices. All users of the school district’s technology resources, including students, staff and volunteers, shall comply with this policy and regulation, as well as others impacting the use of school equipment and facilities. Failure to comply may result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination, or expulsion as well as suspension and/or revocation of technology access privileges.

Usage of the school district’s technology resources is a privilege, not a right, and that use entails responsibility. District-owned technology and district maintained Internet-based collaboration software, social media, and e-mail accounts are the property of the school district. Therefore, users of the school district’s network must not expect, nor does the school district guarantee, privacy for use of the school district’s network including web sites visited. The school district reserves the right to access and view any material stored on school district equipment, within district-owned software, or any material used or accessed in conjunction with the school district’s network.

The superintendent, working with the appropriate staff, shall establish procedures governing management of technology records in order to exercise appropriate control over technology records, including financial, personnel and student information. The procedures will address at a minimum:

passwords,
system administration,
separation of duties,
remote access,
data back-up (including archiving of e-mail),
record retention, and
disaster recovery plans.

Social Networking or Other External Web Sites

For purposes of this policy any website, other than the school district web site or school-school district sanctioned web sites, are considered external web sites. Employees and volunteers shall not post confidential or proprietary information, including photographic images, about the school district, its employees, students, agents, or others on any external web site without prior written consent of the superintendent. Employees and volunteers shall adhere to all applicable privacy and confidentiality policies adopted by the school district when on external web sites. Employees, students and volunteers shall not use the school district logos, images, iconography, etc. on external web sites unless authorized in advance by school administration. Employees, students and volunteers need to realize that the internet is not a closed system and anything posted on an external site may be viewed by others. Employees, students and volunteers who don’t want school administrators to know their personal information, should refrain from sharing it on the internet. Employees and volunteers should not connect with students via external web sites without consent of the building level administrator.

Employees and volunteers who wish to connect with students through an Internet-based software application that is not District-approved must first obtain the prior written consent of the building administrator. At all times, no less than two licensed employees must have access to all accounts and interactions on the software application. Employees and volunteers who would like to start a social media site for school district sanctioned activities, should obtain prior written consent from the superintendent.

It is the responsibility of the superintendent to develop administrative regulations implementing this policy.

Legal Reference: Iowa Code § 279.8.

282 I.A.C. 25, 26.

Cross Reference: 106 Anti-Bullying/Harassment

307 Administrator Code of Ethics

401.01 Employee Orientation

407 Licensed Employee Termination of Employment

413 Classified Employee Termination of Employment

605 Instructional Materials

Approved: 03/18/2024

Reviewed:

Revised:

lschaul@indeek12.org Tue, 03/19/2024 - 11:21

713R1 - Responsible Technology Use and Social Networking Regulation

General

The following rules and regulations govern the use of the school district's network systems, employee access to the internet, and management of digital records:

Employees will be issued a school district e-mail account. Passwords must be changed periodically.
Each individual in whose name an access account is issued is responsible at all times for its proper use.
Employees are expected to review their e-mail regularly, and shall reply promptly to inquiries with information that the employee can reasonably be expected to provide.
Communications with parents and/or students must be made from a school account, unless in the case of an emergency.
Employees shall refrain from using technology resources for personal use, including access to social networking sites.
Use of the school district technology and school e-mail address is a public record. Employees cannot have an expectation of privacy in the use of the school district’s network and technology.
Use of technology resources in ways that violate the acceptable use and conduct regulation, outlined below, will be subject to discipline, up to and including discharge.
Use of the school district’s network is a privilege, not a right. Inappropriate use may result in network restrictions placed on a device or an account.
Off-site access to the school district network will be determined by the superintendent in conjunction with appropriate personnel.
All network users are expected to abide by the generally accepted rules of network etiquette. This includes being polite and using only appropriate language. Abusive language, vulgarities and swear words are all inappropriate.
Network users identifying a security problem on the school district's network must notify appropriate staff. Any network user identified as a security risk or having a history of violations of school district technology use guidelines may be denied access to the school district's network.
Employees are representatives of the district at all times and must model appropriate character, both on and off the worksite. This applies to material posted with personal devices and on personal websites and/or social media accounts. Posted messages or pictures which diminish the professionalism or discredit the capacity to maintain respect of students and parents may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination if the content posted is found to be disruptive to the educational environment and adversely impacts the employee’s ability to effectively serve as a role model or perform his/her job duties for the district. The type of material that would affect an employee’s ability to serve as an appropriate role model includes, but is not limited to, text or depictions involving hate speech, nudity, obscenity, vulgarity or sexually explicit content. Employee communications with students should be limited as appropriate. If there is any uncertainty, employees should consult their building administrator.

Prohibited Activity and Uses

The following is a list of prohibited activity for all employees concerning use of the school district's network. Any violation of these prohibitions may result in discipline, up to and including discharge, or other appropriate penalty, including suspension or revocation of a user's access to the network.

Using the network for commercial activity, including advertising, or personal gain
Infringing on any copyrights or other intellectual property rights, including copying, installing, receiving, transmitting or making available any copyrighted software on the school district network. See Policy 605.07, Use of Information Resources for more information.
Using the network to receive, transmit or make available to others obscene, offensive, or sexually explicit material
Using the network to receive, transmit or make available to others messages that are racist, sexist, and abusive or harassing to others.
Use of another’s account or password.
Attempting to read, delete, copy or modify the electronic mail (e-mail) of other system users.
Forging or attempting to forge e-mail messages.
Engaging in vandalism. Vandalism is defined as any malicious attempt to harm or destroy school district equipment or materials, data of another user of the school district’s network or of any of the entities or other networks that are connected to the Internet. This includes, but is not limited to, creating and/or placing a virus on the network.
Using the network to send anonymous messages or files.
Revealing the personal address, telephone number or other personal information of oneself or another person.
Intentionally disrupting network traffic or crashing the network and connected systems.
Installing personal software or using personal technology on the school district’s technology and/or network without the permission of the Director of Technology.
Using the network in a fashion inconsistent with directions from teachers and other staff and generally accepted network etiquette.

Other Technology Issues

Employees should contact students and their parents through the school district's technology or phone system unless in the case of an emergency or with prior consent of the principal. Employees should not release their cell phone number, personal e-mail address, etc. to students or their parents.

lschaul@indeek12.org Tue, 03/19/2024 - 11:39