PENN-TRAFFORD SCHOOL DISTRICT

Internet Policy

Background

The Penn-Trafford School District offers limited internet access to employees/students for the purpose of carrying out their respective duties. This policy outlines acceptable use of the internet by Penn-Trafford personnel.

The District's internet access via Penn-Trafford facilities locally and remotely, has been established for educational purposes such as classroom activities, administration, school related research projects/assignments, career development and other approved activities.

The internet within the school district is not for public access and is not a public forum. The district has the right to place restrictions on all material that is accessed or posted.

Use of the internet under the auspices of the district is contingent upon conditions set forth in this policy.

ADOPTED: May 10, 2004

I. Guidelines

Employees/students are permitted to access the district-owned internet system and equipment. The laws of the United States of America and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania will be enforced. The board establishes that the following materials, in addition to those stated in the law, are inappropriate for access by employees; materials that are profane or obscene or that advocate illegal acts of violence or discrimination whether in the form of web pages or, downloadable files, chat rooms or any other digital and/or format.

I. Personal safety rules.

A. Reasonable precaution must be taken when posting personal information (e.g. name, addresses, etc)
B. Employees/students shall not use the internet for personal reasons.
C. All district computers/servers utilized by employees will be equipped with appropriate internet blocking/filtering software.
D. Employee/student internet safety measures will effectively address the following:

1. Access to inappropriate matter on the internet.
2. Security when using electronic mail, chat rooms and/or other forms of direct electronic communications.
3. Prevention of unauthorized online behavior including "hacking" and other unlawful activities.
4. Unauthorized disclosure, use and dissemination of personal information regarding any other person.

II. Illegal and inappropriate activities

A. Unauthorized access to any computer system or exceeding authorized access. For example, entering another person's password or accessing another person's files.
B. Attempting to disrupt the computer system or destroy data. For example, spreading computer viruses.
C. Using the district internet system and equipment to engage in any illegal act such as threatening the safety of a person or soliciting for a drug sale or purchase.
D. Accessing obscene or pornographic material.
E. Destruction, modification, abuse or unauthorized access to network hardware, software, and files.
F. In compliant with the Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA), the school district has installed filtering and/or blocking software to restrict access to Internet sites containing material harmful to minors. The software works by scanning for objectionable words or concepts, as determined by the School District. However, no software is foolproof. A user who incidentally connects to an inappropriate site must immediately disconnect from the site and notify a teacher or supervisor. If a users sees another user accessing inappropriate sites, he or she should notify a teacher or supervisor immediately.

III. Internet system security

A. Personal accounts are the responsibility of each employee. Reasonable precaution must be taken to prevent others from accessing them.
B. The principal must immediately be notified if a security problem is suspected. Employees must not look for security problems; this activity may be construed as an illegal attempt to gain unlawful access.
C. District virus protection procedures will be periodically posted and/or published.
D. The district will be responsible for implementing technology and procedures to determine whether the computers are being used for purposes prohibited by law or for accessing sexually explicit materials. The procedures will include, but not be limited to:

1. Utilizing a technology protection measure that blocks or filters internet access to certain visual depictions that are obscene.
2. Maintaining and securing a usage log.
3. Monitoring online activities of employees.
4. Maintaining a system for reviewing blocked sites.
5. Regular inspections, updating, and testing of technology as to its effectiveness and updating its tables.
6. Staff must supervise student use of the district internet system, in a manner that is appropriate to the students' age and the circumstances of use.

IV. Inappropriate language or message when using the district system or equipment

A. The following restrictions against inappropriate speech and messages apply to all speech communications and accessed through the district Internet system, including all e-mail, instant messages, Web pages, and Web logs. Employee/students shall not send obscene, profane, lewd, vulgar, rude, inflammatory, threatening, or disrespectful messages. Employees/students shall not post information that could cause damage, danger, or disruption, or engage in personal attacks, including prejudicial or discriminatory attacks. Student shall not harass another person, or knowingly or recklessly post false or defamatory information about a person or organization.

V. Respect for privacy

A. Personal or confidential information shall not be re-posted without permission of the sender.

IX. Employee rights

A. Free speech

Internet access via Penn-Trafford equipment, locally or remotely, is not considered a public forum. The district reserves the right to restrict any and all content.

B. Privacy interest

Employees/students will have no expectation of privacy regarding the contents of computer files on or communication undertaken by way of the district computer system. All computer files and communications generated by employees on the school district computer systems are data records of the school district. Teachers and school district administration will maintain and monitor the system which may lead to discovery of violations of this policy, the School Code or federal or state laws. School district administration may conduct individual searches of school district devices.

C. Intellectual property

The Penn-Trafford School District will comply with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations regarding copyright. All copying which is not specifically permitted by law, guideline, fair use, license agreement or permission of the copyright holder is prohibited.

Regarding intellectual property, all works developed by employees of the district while carrying out their duties are intellectual property owned by the school district. However, the school district makes no claims on works developed by employees independent of their school district duties, even if employees use resources of the school district in creating such works.

D. Due process

The district will cooperate with local, state, or federal officials in any investigation related to suspected illegal activities conducted through the district internet system and equipment.

In the event of such an allegation that an employee has violated this policy, an investigation will be conducted.

The district reserves the right to place a wide range of restrictions on employee use of internet accounts and district computer systems.

The district reserves the right to involve law enforcement officials and to file charges with police. Employees will be advised as appropriate.

E. Penalties for infractions

Penalties may be imposed, including but not limited to, loss of computer system access, suspension and termination. Employees may be held criminally and/or civilly liable for their misconduct.

X. Disclaimers

A. The district makes no guarantee that the functions or the service provided by or through the district system will be error free or without defect.
B. The district will not be responsible for any damage employees may experience including, but not limited to, loss of data or interruption of service.
C. The district will not be responsible for the accuracy or quality of the information obtained through or stored on the system.
D. Financial obligations arising from use or misuse of the system are the responsibility of the employee.