SUBJECT:  INTERNET ACEPTABLE USE  (#6470-R)

 

            Internet access is available to certain students and teachers in the Malone Central School District.  We are pleased to have Internet access, because we believe it offers valuable, diverse, and unique resources to both teachers and students.  Our goal in providing this service is to promote educational excellence in the district by facilitating resource sharing, innovation, and communication.

 

            With access to computers and people around the world also comes the availability of material that may not be considered to be of appropriate educational value in the context of the school setting.  Some material obtained via the “Net” may contain items that are illegal, defamatory, inaccurate, or potentially offensive.  The Malone Central School District has taken precautions to restrict access to controversial materials.  However, on a global network it is impossible to control all materials and a user may discover controversial information, either by accident or deliberately.

 

            The purpose of this regulation is to ensure that use of Internet resources is consistent with the district’s stated mission, standards, and objectives.  The smooth operation of the network relies upon the proper conduct of staff who adhere to strict guidelines.  If a Malone Central School District user violates any of these provisions, his or her use may be restricted, suspended, or terminated and future access denied in accordance with the rules and regulations discussed with each user during Internet training sessions.  If a user inadvertently accesses inappropriate material, he or she should immediately disclose the inadvertent access to his or her immediate supervisor.  This action will help protect the user against an allegation that he or she has intentionally violated this Acceptable Use Regulation.

 

District Internet Use Terms and Conditions

 

1)         Staff members are responsible for displaying appropriate conduct on the district’s computer networks, just as they are at any time they are at work in the district’s schools.

2)         The network is provided for staff and students to conduct research and communicate with others.  Access to network services is given to those who agree to act in a considerate and responsible manner.  Access is a privilege - not a right.  That access entails responsibility.  Inappropriate use may result in restriction, suspension, or termination of system privileges.

3)         Users are expected to abide by generally accepted rules of network etiquette and conduct themselves in a responsible, ethical, and polite manner while on-line.  E-mail messages sent to others must be signed by the sender and must use appropriate language which is not abusive, profane, or offensive.  E-mail will not be used to distribute hate mail or exhibit antisocial behavior.

4)         Users are not permitted to use the computing resources of the district for commercial purposes, product advertising, political lobbying, or political campaigning.  Nor are users of computer resources to defraud or obtain money or other things of value by false representations or promises.  They are not to post private information about another person, or transmit, receive, submit, or publish any defamatory, inaccurate, abusive, obscene, profane, sexually oriented, threatening, offensive, or illegal material.

5)         A district Web page may be created and established only with the approval of the Superintendent.  The Superintendent will designate the individual to maintain the district Web page, and will approve any material presented therein.

6)         School and/or class Web pages may only be established with the approval of the building principal.  When such pages are created, they may only present information about that school or class, and the associated activities.  Building principals will designate the individual(s) to supervise and maintain any school Web page.

7)         Computer equipment is to be used with care, and labs and other computer areas are to be kept clean and orderly.  Food and drinks are to be kept away from computer areas.  Physical and electronic tampering with district computer resources is not permitted.  Damaging computers, computer systems, or computer networks intentionally will result in cancellation of privileges, as well as possible financial assessment for repair or replacement of damaged items.

8)         Users will not plagiarize works found on the Internet.  Plagiarism is taking ideas or writings of others and presenting them as if they were original to the user.  Users will respect the rights of copyright owners.  Copyright infringement occurs when an individual inappropriately reproduces a work that is protected by a copyright.  If a work contains language that specifies acceptable use of that work, the user should follow the expressed requirements.  If the user is unsure whether or not he/she can use a work, permission should be requested from the copyright owner.

9)         Security on any computer system is a high priority, especially when the system involves many users.  If you feel you can identify a security problem in the district’s computers, network, or Internet connection, you must notify an administrator.  Do not demonstrate the problem to others.  Using someone else’s password or trespassing in another’s folders, work, or files without written permission is prohibited.  Attempts to log on to the Internet as anyone but yourself may result in cancellation of user privileges.

10)       The Malone Central School District makes no warranties of any kind, whether expressed or implied, for the service it is providing.  The district assumes no responsibility for any phone charges, line costs or usage fees, nor for any damages a user may suffer.  This includes loss of data resulting from delays, non-deliveries, mis-deliveries, or service interruptions caused by negligence or your errors or omissions.  Nor is the district responsible for any computer viruses that may be carried to home computer systems.  Use of any information obtained via the Internet is at the user’s risk.  The district specifically denies any responsibility for the accuracy or quality of information obtained through its services.