2.09                            General User Policy:  Policy Relating to the Acceptable Use of Electronic Information, the Internet

First Reading : 20 August 2007

Second Reading

Adoption

 

User Contract: House Municipal School District provides electronic information services for students and teachers in our district who qualify as a result of participation in orientation in the acceptable use policy and agreement to comply with this policy.  Our district believes in the educational value of such electronic services and recognizes the potential of such to support our curriculum and the student learning process.  Our goal in providing this service is to promote educational excellence by facilitating resource sharing, innovation and communication.  The House Municipal School District will make every effort to protect students and teachers from any misuses or abuses as a result of their experiences with this information service.  All users must be continuously vigilant to avoid inappropriate and/or illegal interactions while accessing and using this service.

Please read this document carefully.  When signed by you and, if appropriate, your parent/guardian, it becomes a legally binding contract.  We must have your initials where indicated and your signature as well as that of your parent/guardian (if you are under age 18) before we will provide you with an access account.

Listed below are the provisions of this contract.  If any user violates these provisions, access to the information service may be terminated and you may become subject to legal and disciplinary action.

A.  Terms of Contract: Personal Responsibility

As a representative of this school district, I will accept personal responsibility for reporting any misuse of the network to the system administrator.  Misuse can come in many forms, but it is commonly viewed as any message(s) that is/are sent or received, or accessing any web site that indicates or suggests pornography, unethical or illegal solicitation, racism, sexism, inappropriate language, or other issues described below.  All rules of conduct described in this “Policy Relating to the Acceptable Use of Electronic Information” apply when you are accessing/using the internet.

I have read and understand this provision.  Initial    Initial            

B.  Acceptable Use: The use of my assigned account must be in support of education and research with the educational goals and objectives of the House Municipal School District.  I am personally responsible for this provision at all times when accessing/using the electronic information service.

 

Use of other organization’s networks or computing resources must comply with rules appropriate to the network.  Transmission of any material in violation of any United States or other state organization is prohibited.  This includes, but is not limited to:  copyrighted material, threatening or obscene material, or material protected by trade secret.  Use of commercial activities by for-profit institutions is generally not acceptable.  Use of product advertisement or political lobbying is also prohibited.

 

I am aware that the inappropriate use of electronic information resources can be a violation of local, state and/or federal laws and that I can be prosecuted for violating those laws.

 

I have read and understand this provision.  Initial    Initial            

 

C.  Privileges: Use of the district information system is a privilege, not a right, and inappropriate use will result in the termination of those privileges.  Each person who receives an account will participate in an orientation to the system policy with a district faculty member related to the proper behavior and use of the network.  The House Municipal School District System Administrator(s), in consultation with the district school board and superintendent, will determine what constitutes appropriate use; and their decision in that respect is final.  The System Administrator(s) may close and/or terminate an account at any time deemed necessary.  The district administration, staff, or faculty of the House Municipal School District may request that the System Administrator(s) deny, revoke, or suspend specific user accounts.

 

I have read and understand this provision.  Initial    Initial            

 

D.  Network Etiquette and Privacy:

You are expected to comply with the generally accepted rules of network etiquette.  These rules include but are not limited to:

v     Be Polite-Do not ever send or encourage others to send abusive messages

v     Use Appropriate Language-Remember that you are a representative of our school and district on a system that is not private.  You may be alone with the computer, but what you say and do can be viewed globally.  Never swear, use vulgarities, or any other inappropriate language.  Illegal and unethical activities of any kind are strictly forbidden.

v     Never reveal your home address or personal telephone number(s) or the name, address or telephone number of other students or colleagues.

v     Electronic mail (E-Mail)-This is not ever guaranteed to be private.  Messages relating to or in support of illegal activities must be (and will be) reported to the appropriate authorities.

v     Do not ever use the network in any way that would disrupt use of the network by others.

 

Other considerations for internet use include 1) Be brief, few people want to read a long message  2) Remember that humor and satire can, and is, often misinterpreted  3) Do cite references for facts you may present to others 4) Forgive the spelling and grammatical errors of others  5) Keep signatures brief  6) Post only to groups you know.

 

I have read and understand this provision.  Initial    Initial            

 

 D.  Services : The House Municipal School District makes no warranties of any kind, whether expressed or implied, for the service it is providing.  The district will not be responsible for any damages suffered while/through accessing/using this system.  These damages include but are not limited to the loss of data, delays that may cause the loss of data, non-deliveries, mis-deliveries, or service interruptions caused by either the system or your own errors or omissions.  Use of any information obtained through this information is at your own risk.  The House Municipal School District specifically disclaims any responsibility for the accuracy of information obtained through its services.

 

I have read and understand this provision.  Initial    Initial            

 

E.  Security: Security on any computer system is a high priority because there are so many users.  If you identify a security concern or problem, notify the district System Administrator at once.  Never demonstrate the problem to other users.  Never use another individual’s account without written permission from that person.  Never allow another person to access/use your account.  All use of the system must be under your own account.  Any user identified as a security risk will be denied access to the district information system.

 

I have read and understand this provision.  Initial    Initial            

 

F.  Vandalism: Vandalism is defined as any attempt, malicious or otherwise, to harm or destroy data of another user or any other agencies or networks that are or may be connected to the system.  This includes, but is not limited to, the uploading or creation of computer viruses of any nature.  Any vandalism will result in the termination of your computer service with corresponding disciplinary action and referral to appropriate authorities.

 

I have read and understand this provision.  Initial    Initial            

 

G.  Updates: The district information service system may periodically require new system registration and account information from you in order to continue to provide service.  You must notify the information System Administrator of any changes in your account information.

 

I have read and understand this provision.  Initial    Initial            

 

 

STAFF MEMBER

I understand and will comply with the provisions and conditions of this contract.  I understand that any violations of the above provisions may result in disciplinary action, including but not limited to the revocation of my user account and reporting to appropriate authorities, at the discretion of the superintendent and House Municipal School District Board of Education.  I also agree to report any misuse of the information system to the House Municipal School District System Administrator(s).  Misuse can come in many forms, but it is commonly viewed as any message(s) that is/are sent or received, or accessing any web site that indicates or suggests pornography, unethical or illegal solicitation, racism, sexism, inappropriate language, or other issues described above.  All rules of conduct described in this “Policy Relating to the Acceptable Use of Electronic Information” apply when I am accessing/using the Internet.

 

Staff Member’s Name (Please Print)                                                                   

 

Date                                                                

 

STUDENT

I understand and will comply with the provisions and conditions of this contract.  I understand that any violations of the above provisions may result in disciplinary action, including but not limited to the revocation of my user account and reporting to appropriate authorities, at the discretion of the superintendent and House Municipal School District Board of Education.  I also agree to report any misuse of the information system to the House Municipal School District System Administrator(s).  Misuse can come in many forms, but it is commonly viewed as any message(s) that is/are sent or received, or accessing any web site that indicates or suggests pornography, unethical or illegal solicitation, racism, sexism, inappropriate language, or other issues described above.  All rules of conduct described in this “Policy Relating to the Acceptable Use of Electronic Information” apply when I am accessing/using the Internet.

 

Student’s Name (Please Print)                                                               

 

Date                                                                

 

PARENT/GUARDIAN

As the parent/guardian of this student, I have read this contract and understand that it is designed for educational purposes.  I understand that it is not possible for the House Municipal School District to restrict access to all controversial materials, and I will not hold the House Municipal School District responsible for materials acquired on the network.  I also agree to report any misuse of the information system to the House Municipal School District System Administrator(s).  Misuse can come in many forms, but it is commonly viewed as any message(s) that is/are sent or received, or accessing any web site that indicates or suggests pornography, unethical or illegal solicitation, racism, sexism, inappropriate language, or other issues described above.

 

Parent/Guardian’s Name (Please Print)                                                   

 

Date                                                                

 

SPONSORING TEACHER

I have read this contract and agree to promote this agreement with the student.  As a sponsoring teacher, I agree to instruct this student on acceptable use of the network and proper network etiquette.  I also agree to report any misuse of the information system to the House Municipal School District System Administrator(s).  Misuse can come in many forms, but it is commonly viewed as any message(s) that is/are sent or received, or accessing any web site that indicates or suggests pornography, unethical or illegal solicitation, racism, sexism, inappropriate language, or other issues described above.

 

Teacher’s Name (Please Print)                                                               

 

Date