USD 506 Acceptable Use Policy
USD 506 Acceptable Use Policy
The purpose of the Labette County USD 506 computer network is to promote the exchange of information to further education and is consistent with the mission of USD 506. It is the policy of the Labette County USD 506 school board to maintain an environment that promotes ethical and responsible conduct in all online network activities by staff and students. It shall be a violation of this policy for any employee or student to engage in any activity that does not conform to the established purpose and general rules and polices of Labette County USD 506.
The use of the USD 506 computer network is a privilege, not a right, and inappropriate use may result in cancellation of that privilege and school disciplinary action and/or appropriate legal action shall/may be taken.
Acceptable/Unacceptable Use
Network/Internet/Intranet/Email
1. The Labette County USD 506 computer network is in support of education practices and research consistent with the purposes of Labette County USD 506 and is not for private or commercial business use, political or religious purposes.
2. Network accounts are to be used only by the authorized owner of the account for the authorized purpose. All network activity is subject to the district's review at any time, there is no right of privacy in e-mail/internet/network use by any student or staff member.
3. All internet connections will be filtered using the filtering solution established by USD 506 per CIPA requirements. Attempts by students or staff to circumvent the filtering system may result in loss of network/internet/intranet privileges. Any use of the network for illegal activity is prohibited.
4. Use of the network to access obscene, pornographic, or dangerous material, or any material not congruent with the mission of USD 506 is prohibited.
5. Sending material likely to be offensive or objectionable to recipients is prohibited.
6. Using programs that harass other network users or infiltrate a computing system and/or damage the software is prohibited.
7. Users will make efficient use of network resources to minimize interference with others.
All network connections must have prior approval of the Technology Facilitator before being established. All network connections are subject to being disconnected or removed if used inappropriately or if it is causing a disruption of network services.
8. Any use of the network that accesses outside resources must conform to the USD 506 "AUP".
9. Subscriptions or access to Listservs, bulletin boards, chat rooms, and on-line services must be pre-approved by the district and conform to the USD 506 "AUP".
Security
10. Users will respect the rights and property of others and will not improperly access, misappropriate or misuse the files, data, or information of others.
11. Users may not share their account with anyone or leave the account open or unattended.
12. Users will keep all accounts and passwords confidential and not accessible to others.
13. Users are responsible for making back-up copies of critical documents.
14. When using the internet/email extreme caution must always be taken in revealing any information of a personal nature. Information about students will not be provided without the written permission from parent/guardian and requires teacher supervision. Exception would be use of an individual picture or group picture using first name only and/or using first name only for reference on school web pages.
Software/Hardware
15. The district technology coordinator is to install or approve the installation of any/all software/hardware on district computers and approve all purchases of software/hardware related to the USD 506 computer network. This also applies to all donated software/hardware. Students and staff are not to install games, applications, or other software on district computers without prior approval of Technology Facilitator. Exceptions are the following web browser plugins or applications updates: Adobe Acrobat Reader, QuickTime, RealPlayer, Shockwave, Flash, and updates to already installed software via the "Software Update" control panel.
16. The illegal installation of copyrighted software or files for use on district computers is prohibited. Staff and students are responsible for meeting copyright laws and responsible for addressing issues concerning plagiarism.
17. Users are responsible for taking precautions to prevent viruses on their own equipment and Labette County USD 506's equipment. Users must notify district technology staff if they have a virus on their computers or suspect they have a virus, users may not disable virus installed software used to prevent viruses or install virus related software.
Staff E-Mail
18. E-mail is provided for the purpose of exchanging information consistent with the mission of Labette County USD 506. All e-mail must conform to the USD 506 "AUP".
19. E-mail messages are subject to the district's review at any time, there is no right of privacy in e-mail use by any student or staff member.
20. Unnecessary email should be deleted regularly from your e-mail directory to conserve file space on the email server.
Policy Administration: Interpretation, application, and modification of this Acceptable Use Policy are within the sole discretion of Labette County USD 506. Any questions or issues regarding this policy should be directed to Labette County USD 506 administration. USD 506 may immediately implement any policy deemed necessary by the administration in regards to the USD 506 AUP.
Property Rights: The computers, computer network, and all the files contained therein are the property of USD 506. The district has the right to specify who uses its equipment and the information contained therein, under what circumstances, and to what purpose. Equipment purchased by the district belongs solely to the district and neither employees, volunteers, or students in the district have ownership rights to any equipment loaned to them by the district.
Data Security: The district assumes no responsibility or liability if documents stored on district equipment are misused, inappropriate, damaged, or lost.
Cyberbullying: Cyberbullying will also not be tolerated. Cyberbullying is when children or teens bully each other using the internet, cell phones, or other technology. This can include but is not limited to: Sending mean text, e-mail, or instant messages; posting inappropriate pictures or messages about others in blogs or on web sites; using someone else's user name to spread rumors or lies about someone via the internet or school network.
False Entry/Alteration: No student, volunteer, or district employee shall make any false entry or alteration of any document, either paper or electronic, used in connection with the operation of any school within the district nor shall any student open or alter official school documents or private documents, either paper or electronic.
Enforcement: The district shall uphold laws pertaining to the use of technological equipment and the information contained on them and/or generated by its use. Anyone found to be violating such laws shall/may be subject to suit for civil damages as well as prosecuted by the district to the full extent of the law.
Supervision: All computer/internet access by students will be monitored/supervised by USD 506 teachers and staff. Unsupervised computer/internet access by students is not allowed.
Consequences of Violation of Technology Policies
All of the policies and procedures for acceptable use of computers and networks are intended to make educational technology more useful to students and teachers. Our intention is to minimize unacceptable use and maximize the successful use of technology in education. Use of technology for internet access, e-mail, and other network uses is a privilege, not a right. Violations of the policies and procedures of USD 506 concerning use of technology in our schools will result in disciplinary action.
Three levels of punishment may be enforced by the administration. While the levels may be implemented in order, USD 506 reserves the right to select any step depending on the facts and the severity of the violation.
Level 1: Warning:
Student who abuses the Acceptable Use Policy would lose computer privilege/internet access until a parent conference is held. Any additional loss of privileges or punishments will be determined by the administration.
Level 2: Pattern of abuse, repeated abuse, or flagrant violations:
Student who engages in serious or persistent misbehavior by violating the district's Acceptable Use Policy may be removed from any computer/internet privileges for the remainder of the semester, school year, remaining school years, and may be recommended for suspension. Any additional loss of privileges or punishments will be determined by the administration.
Level 3: Suspendable/Expellable offense:
Student could be suspended/expelled from school if he/she engages in conduct on the computer/internet that is a serious violation of the Acceptable Use Policy. Any student suspended/expelled for misuse of technology may also lose computer/internet privileges for the remaining school year or school years. Any additional loss of privileges or punishments will be determined by the administration
A signed USD 506 Acceptable Use Policy permission form for all students and staff will be retained on file for the current school year and will be renewed each school year.