Home | Policy Book | G

GCSA

MSAD#71 Employee Acceptable Use Agreement for Computers/Internet/Telecommunications

Terms and Conditions

The intent of these Board-level rules is to provide employees with general requirements for MSAD #71 computers, networks and Internet services.  The Board rules may be supplemented by more specific administrative procedures and rules governing day-to-day management and operation of the computer system.

These rules provide general guidelines and examples of prohibited uses but do not attempt to state all required or prohibited activities by users.  Employees who have questions regarding whether a particular activity or use is acceptable should seek further guidance from the Technology Coordinator.

Failure to comply with Board policy, these rules and/or other established procedures or rules governing computer use may result in disciplinary action, up to and including discharge.  Illegal uses of the school unit's computes will also result in referral to law enforcement authorities.

Access to School Computers, Networks and Internet Services

The level of access that employees have to school unit computers, networks, and Internet services is based upon specific employee job requirements and needs.

Acceptable Use

Employee access to the MSAD #71, networks and Internet services is provided for administrative, educational, communication and research purposes consistent with our educational mission, curriculum and instructional goals.  General rules and expectations for professional behavior and communication apply to use of the school unit's computers, networks and Internet services.

Employees are to utilize the computers, networks and Internet services for school-related purposes and performance of job duties.  Incidental personal use of school computers is permitted as long as such use does not interfere with the employee's job duties and performance, with system operations or other system users.  "Incidental personal use" is defined as use by an individual employee for occasional personal communications.  Employees are reminded that such personal use must comply with this policy and all other applicable policies, procedures and rules.

Prohibited Use

The employee is responsible for his/her actions and activities involving MSAD #71 computers, networks and Internet services and for his/her computer files, passwords and accounts.  General examples of unacceptable uses which are expressly prohibited include but are not limited to the following:

1.                    Any use that is illegal or in violation of other Board policies, including harassing, discriminatory or threatening communications and behavior, violations of copyright laws, etc.;

2.                    Any use involving materials that are obscene, pornographic, sexually explicit or sexually suggestive;

3.                    Any inappropriate communications with students or minors;

4.                    Any use for private financial gain, or commercial, advertising or solicitation purposes, except for a designated electronic bulletin board accessible only to staff members and provided by the district only if it does not become a drain on personnel and/or resources.

5.                    Any use as a forum for communicating by e-mail or any other medium with other school users or outside parties to solicit, proselytize, advocate or communicate the view of an individual or non-school-related organization; to solicit membership in or support of any non-school-related organization or to raise funds for any non-school-related purpose, whether for-profit or not-for-profit.  No employee shall knowingly provide school e-mail addresses to outside parties whose intent is to communicate for non-school purposes.  Employees who are uncertain as to whether particular activities are acceptable should seek further guidance from the building principal or other appropriate administrator.

6.                    Any communication that represents personal views as those of MSAD #71 or that could be misinterpreted as such.

7.                    Downloading or loading software or applications without permission from the Technology Coordinator or Network Manager;

8.                    Opening or forwarding any e-mail attachments (executable) from unknown sources and/or that may contain viruses;

9.                     Sending mass e-mails to school users or outside parties without permission of the Technology Coordinator or Network Manager.

  10.           Any malicious use or disruption of MSAD #71 computers, networks and Internet services or     breach of security features;

11.           Any misuse or damage to the school unit's computer equipment.

12.                 Misuse of the computer passwords or accounts

13.                 Any communications that are in violation of generally accepted rules or network etiquette and/or professional conduct;

14.                 Any attempt to access unauthorized sites

15.                 Failing to report a known breach of computer security to the Technology Coordinator or Network Manager.

16.                 Using school computers, networks and Internet services after such access has been denied or revoked; and

17.                 Any attempt to delete, erase or otherwise conceal any information stored on a school computer that violates these rules.

No Expectation of Privacy

MSAD #71 retains control, custody and supervision of all computers, networks and Internet services owned or leased.  MSAD #71 reserves the right to monitor all computer and Internet activity by employees and other system users.  Employees have no expectation of privacy in their use of school computers, including e-mail messages and stored files.

Confidentiality of Information

Employees are expected to use appropriate judgment and caution in communications concerning students and staff to ensure that personally identifiable information remains confidential.

Staff Responsibilities to Students

Teachers, staff members and volunteers who utilize school computers for instructional purposes with students have a duty of care to supervise such use.  Teachers, staff members and volunteers are expected to be familiar with MSAD #71's policies and rules concerning student computer and Internet use and to enforce them.  When, in the course of their duties, employees/volunteers become aware of student violations, they are expected to stop the activity and inform the building principal.

Compensation for Losses, Costs and/or Damages

The employee shall be responsible for any losses, costs or damages incurred by MSAD #71 related to violations of the Board policy and/or these rules.

School Unit Assumes No Responsibility for Unauthorized Charges, Costs or Illegal Use

MSAD #71 assumes no responsibility for any unauthorized charges made by employees or for any illegal use of its computers such as copyright violations.

Employee Acknowledgment Required

Each employee authorized to access MSAD#71's computers, networks and Internet services is required to sign an acknowledgment form stating that they have read the policy and these rules.  The form will be retained in the employee's personnel file.

Adopted:               03/13/00

Amended:              05/21/07