General User Policy

Kershaw County Schools
Employee Acceptable Use Policy

The Kershaw County School District views the use of technology as a tool for productivity and for learning.  As such, technology operates as an extension of the classroom and library media center and as an integral part of the curriculum.  This policy extends to both school and home use of the district network and all district-owned technology (e.g. computers, laptops, printers, handheld devices, digital cameras, digital media players, televisions, digital white boards).  Employees with district-owned laptops are also expected to abide by the guidelines in the Employee Laptop Agreement and Regulations.

The Kershaw County School District expects responsible behavior from technology users.  Technology use is a privilege, not a right, and inappropriate use may result in a loss of those privileges as well as other disciplinary action.  Willful damage or vandalism will result in legal or disciplinary action as well as repair or replacement charges.

The Kershaw County School District uses software designed to prevent access to certain sites and will monitor network activity (e.g. email, websites, chat rooms, bulletin boards) visited by users of the network.

1.0

Appropriate Uses

1.1

District technology resources are for educational use.

1.2

The primary use of technology is for reference, inquiry and production of educational documents.

1.3

Employees must know that students are not to play games or use technology resources for other non-academic activities during instructional time without a teacher’s authorization.

1.4

Copyright laws must be followed when using information from electronic resources (e.g. on-line databases, electronic encyclopedias, news services), including appropriate reference citation.  Plagiarism and copyright violations will not be tolerated.

1.5

Downloading or using illegal music, games, software, or other files is prohibited.  Copyright violations will not be tolerated.

2.0

Use and Care of Technology Resources

2.1

Users must ask for assistance if they do not know how to operate any equipment.

2.2

Appropriate procedures must be followed, including proper startup, shutdown and sign-in procedures.  Resources and peripheral devices (e.g. keyboards, disk drives, mice, cables) must be used with care.  Keep food, drink, gum and magnets away from all equipment.

2.3

Employees must know that students are to use only their assigned equipment or peripheral and are prohibited from using equipment assigned to other students unless they have the permission of a teacher or technician.  Students are to ask for permission before printing.

2.4

Damaging, marring, or defacing technology resources in any manner is prohibited.  Technology resources refer to the monitor, CPU, keyboard and mouse, printer, modems and any associated equipment.  Technology resources also include network cabling system such as cables, connections, switches or electrical supplies.

2.5

Deleting, altering or modifying software residing on school equipment is strictly prohibited. This includes modifying system setups such as Windows desktop controls, menu settings or network security settings. 

3.0

Communications and E-Mail

3.1

Creation or transmission of material in violation of school district policy or any local, state, or national law is prohibited.  This includes, but is not limited to, copyrighted material, threatening or bullying, gang-related activities, obscene material, or material protected by trade secrets.

3.2

Employees must know that student communication with other Internet users is limited to use of eChalk accounts unless approved by a district administrator.  Social networking sites are strictly prohibited.

3.3

Email communication is professional correspondence and is the property of the District.  All electronic communications must be conducted in a polite and considerate manner.

3.4

The school district is required by the federal government to archive email.

3.5

For safety purposes, employees should not share or post their own or anyone else’s personal data (e.g. full name, address, social security, driver’s license number, personal photograph).  Any activity that results in the loss of another person’s privacy is prohibited.

4.0

Software and Internet

4.1

Only district-approved software may be used on computers.  Installing, copying or executing software not approved by the district is prohibited.

4.2

Making illegal copies of software or other copyrighted media (e.g. CDs, DVDs, music, movies, downloaded files) is prohibited.

4.3

All access to the Internet from school or home is protected by filtering software provided by the district.  Circumventing any filtering software (e.g. proxy and ghost server websites) is prohibited.

4.4

Computers connected to the network must have security software installed.  Any computer brought from home must first be physically checked by district personnel to ensure it has appropriate software and licensing.

5.0

System Security

5.1

Abuse of network or personal passwords, obtaining the passwords of other users, or circumventing system security measures in any way is prohibited.

5.2

Do not engage in any activity that might be harmful to the computer or network (e.g. create viruses, damage files, disrupt service intentionally, access hacking programs).

5.3

Employees must know that altering files, changing BIOS settings or hiding directories or files is prohibited for students.

5.4

Unauthorized remote access or hacking to school resources is prohibited.

6.0

Controversial Material

6.1

Users should not attempt to access inappropriate sites such as those that contain obscenity, pornography, advertisements for products or services not permitted to minors by law, hate or gang sites, or other sites which may be harmful to minors or may cause a substantial disruption to the academic environment.

6.2

The Kershaw County School District attempts to filter inappropriate material through a selected list of sites deemed as inappropriate due to content.

7.0

Classroom Use of Online Resources

7.1

Internet use is for legitimate educational purposes. Violations will result in disciplinary action and may result in loss of Internet access privileges.

7.2

Employees will be responsible for reviewing the acceptable use policies and procedures with students prior to computer and Internet usage.

7.3

Guided internet use involves employees modeling or directing student use of specific online resources (e.g. eChalk, DISCUS, Yahooligans, WorldBook) in a closely-supervised situation.  All online resources and searches should be previewed before presenting to students.  Employees may work directly with small groups of students or with an entire class.

7.4

Independent internet use involves employees directing student use of appropriate online resources (e.g. eChalk, DISCUS, WorldBook) in a supervised situation.  Students may work independently or in small groups.

7.5

Only guided internet use should be used for elementary students.  Both guided and independent internet use are appropriate for middle and high school students.

Ownership of Property

Upon separation of the employee from the Kershaw County School District, all hardware, software, email and electronic files created by the employee are considered property of the district.

Enforcement

The Kershaw County School District considers any violation of the Acceptable Use Policy to be a serious offense and reserves the right to copy and examine any files or information resident on district systems allegedly related to unacceptable use.  Violators are subject to disciplinary action. Offenders also may be prosecuted under laws including (but not limited to) the Privacy Protection Act of 1974, The Computer Fraud and Abuse Act of 1986, The Computer Virus Eradication Act of 1989, Interstate Transportation of Stolen Property Act, and the Electronic Communications Privacy Act.

Summary

This Acceptable Use Policy is designed to describe how the Kershaw County School District expects technology resources to be used.  Persons violating this policy may suffer disciplinary action including, but not limited to, the loss of privileges relating to the use of technology in the schools.  The district’s goal is to provide employees and students with access to technology in a safe environment that encourages and supports instruction.  As a user of these technologies you are expected to read, understand, and acknowledge this policy before using the technology resources.

Please note: Kershaw County School District monitors all computer usage through a security system. Federal law (CIPA) mandates that all computer activity within schools be closely watched in order to ensure the safety of our students.

Ownership of Property

Upon separation of the employee from the Kershaw County School District, all hardware, software, email and electronic files created by the employee are considered property of the district.

Enforcement

The Kershaw County School District considers any violation of the Acceptable Use Policy to be a serious offense and reserves the right to copy and examine any files or information resident on district systems allegedly related to unacceptable use.  Violators are subject to disciplinary action. Offenders also may be prosecuted under laws including (but not limited to) the Privacy Protection Act of 1974, The Computer Fraud and Abuse Act of 1986, The Computer Virus Eradication Act of 1989, Interstate Transportation of Stolen Property Act, and the Electronic Communications Privacy Act.

Summary

This Acceptable Use Policy is designed to describe how the Kershaw County School District expects technology resources to be used.  Persons violating this policy may suffer disciplinary action including, but not limited to, the loss of privileges relating to the use of technology in the schools.  The district’s goal is to provide employees and students with access to technology in a safe environment that encourages and supports instruction.  As a user of these technologies you are expected to read, understand, and acknowledge this policy before using the technology resources.

Please note: Kershaw County School District monitors all computer usage through a security system. Federal law (CIPA) mandates that all computer activity within schools be closely watched in order to ensure the safety of our students.

Signatures

I understand and agree to abide by the Kershaw County School District’s Acceptable Use Policy.  I understand that there are consequences if I don’t follow this Acceptable Use Policy.

_____________________________________________                             __________________________ 
Employee Signature                                                                               Date