STAFF RESPONSIBLE USE OF TECHNOLOGY AND INTERNET SAFETY

STAFF RESPONSIBLE USE OF TECHNOLOGY AND INTERNET SAFETY

po7540.04Adopted August 20, 2018Revised April 21, 2025

7540.04 - STAFF RESPONSIBLE USE OF TECHNOLOGY AND INTERNET SAFETY

Technology has fundamentally altered the ways in which information is accessed, communicated, and transferred in society. As a result, educators are continually adapting their means and methods of instruction and the way they approach student learning to incorporate the vast, diverse, and unique resources available through the Internet. The Board provides Technology and Information Resources (as defined by Bylaw 0100 - Definitions) to support the educational and professional needs of its staff and students. The Board provides staff with access to the Internet for limited educational purposes only and utilizes online educational services/apps to enhance the instruction delivered to its students and to facilitate the staff’s work. The District’s computer network and Internet system do not serve as a public access service or a public forum, and the Board imposes reasonable restrictions on its use consistent with its limited educational purpose.

The Board regulates the use of District Technology and Information Resources by principles consistent with applicable local, State, and Federal laws, and the District’s educational mission. This policy and its related administrative guidelines and any applicable employment contracts govern the staffs’ use of the District’s computers, laptops, tablets, and personal communication devices (as defined by Policy 7540.02 - Web Content, Apps, and Services), when they are connected to the District computer network, Internet connection, and/or educational services/apps.

Users are required to refrain from actions that are illegal (such as libel, slander, vandalism, harassment, theft, plagiarism, inappropriate access, and the like) or unkind (such as personal attacks, invasion of privacy, injurious comment, including prejudicial or discriminatory attacks, and the like). Because its technology resources are not unlimited, the Board has also instituted restrictions aimed at preserving these resources, such as placing limits on the use of bandwidth, storage space, and printers.

Users have no right or expectation of privacy when using District Technology and Information Resources (including, but not limited to, privacy in the content of their personal files, e-mails, and records of their online activity when using the District's computer network and/or Internet connection). The use of the District network is a privilege, not a right.

Staff members are expected to utilize District technology and information resources to promote educational excellence in our schools by providing students with the opportunity to develop the resource-sharing, innovation, and communication skills and tools that are essential to both life and work. The Board encourages the staff to develop the appropriate skills necessary to effectively access, analyze, evaluate, and utilize these resources to enrich educational activities. The instructional use of the Internet and online educational services will be guided by the Board's Policy 2521 - Selection of Instructional Materials and Equipment. The District network shall not be used for unauthorized purposes or financial gain unrelated to the mission of the District.

The Internet is a global information and communication network that provides valuable education and information resources to our students. The Internet connects computers and users in the District with computers and users worldwide. Through the Internet, students and staff can access relevant information that will enhance their learning and the education process. Further, District technology and resources provide students and staff with the opportunity to communicate with other people from throughout the world. Access to such a vast quantity of information and resources brings with it, however, certain unique challenges.

First, the Board may not be able to technologically limit access to services through its technology resources to only those who have been authorized for the purpose of instruction, study and research related to the curriculum. Unlike in the past when educators and community members had the opportunity to review and screen materials to assess their appropriateness for supporting and enriching the curriculum according to adopted guidelines and reasonable selection criteria (taking into account the varied instructional needs, learning styles, abilities, and developmental levels of the students who would be exposed to them), access to the Internet, because it serves as a gateway to any publicly available file server in the world, opens classrooms and students to electronic information resources that may not have been screened by educators for use by students of various ages.

The District network is provided on an "as is, as available" basis. The District will not be responsible for any damage staff may suffer. The District is not responsible for the accuracy or quality of any advice or information obtained through or stored on the District network, nor is it responsible for damages or injuries from improper communication or damage to property used to access the District network. Routine maintenance and monitoring of electronic information, including the District network, may lead to a discovery that a staff member has violated this policy, another District policy, or Federal or State law.

Pursuant to Federal law, the Board has implemented technology protection measures that protect against (e.g., filter or block) access to visual displays/depictions/materials that are obscene, constitute child pornography, and/or are harmful to minors, as defined by the Children’s Internet Protection Act. At the discretion of the Board or Superintendent, the technology protection measures may also be configured to protect against access to other material considered inappropriate for students to access. The Board also utilizes software and/or hardware to monitor online activity of staff members to restrict access to child pornography and other material that is obscene, objectionable, inappropriate, and/or harmful to minors. The technology protection measures may not be disabled at any time when students may be using the District's technology resources, if such disabling will cease to protect against access to materials that are prohibited under the Children’s Internet Protection Act. Any staff member who attempts to disable the technology protection measures without the express written consent of an appropriate administrator will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination.

The Board utilizes software and/or hardware to monitor online activity of staff and to block/filter access to child pornography and other material that is obscene, objectionable, inappropriate, and/or harmful to minors. "Harmful to minors" is a term defined by the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 254 (h)(7)) as any picture, image, graphic image file, or other visual depiction that:

  1. taken as a whole and with respect to minors, appeals to a prurient interest in nudity, sex, or excretion;
     
  2. depicts, describes, or represents, in a patently offensive way with respect to what is suitable for minors, an actual or simulated sexual act or sexual contact, actual or simulated normal or perverted sexual acts, or a lewd exhibition of the genitals;
     
  3. taken as a whole, lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value to minors.

Dependent on the nature and degree of the irresponsible use of the District network and a violation of it, irresponsible use of the District networks may result in one (1) or more of the following consequences:

  1. suspension or cancellation of use or access privileges;
  2. payment for damages or repairs; or
  3. discipline or discharge under other appropriate District policies, or civil, criminal liability under other applicable laws.

The Superintendent or Director of Technology may temporarily or permanently unblock access to websites or online educational services/apps containing appropriate material if access to such sites has been inappropriately blocked by the technology protection measures. The determination of whether material is appropriate or inappropriate shall be based on the content of the material and the intended use of the material, not on the protection actions of the technology protection measures. The Superintendent or Director of Technology may disable the technology protection measure to enable access for bona fide research or other lawful purposes for staff or students.

Staff members will participate in professional development programs in accordance with the provisions of this policy. Professional development shall include:

  1. the safety and security of students while using e-mail, social networking, and other forms of direct electronic communications;

  2. the inherent danger of students disclosing personally identifiable information online;

  3. the consequences of unauthorized access (e.g., "hacking", "harvesting", "digital piracy", "data mining", etc.), cyberbullying, and other unlawful or inappropriate activities by students or staff online; and

  4. unauthorized disclosure, use, and dissemination of personally identifiable information regarding minors.

Furthermore, the District shall provide instruction for students regarding the appropriate use and online safety and security as specified above. Staff will monitor students’ online activities while at school. The District reserves the right to monitor, read or copy any item on or using the District network. Staff will not vandalize, damage, or disable any electronic technology or system used or owned by the District.

Monitoring may include, but is not necessarily limited to, visual observations of online activities during class sessions, or use of specific monitoring tools to review browser history and network, server, and computer logs.

The disclosure of personally identifiable information about students online is prohibited.

The Board expects that staff members will provide guidance and instruction to students in the appropriate use of the District's technology resources.

Off-premises use of E-Rate-supported technology must be primarily for an educational purpose that is integral, immediate, and proximate to the education of students.

Staff will be assigned a school email address that they are required to utilize for all school-related electronic communications, including those to students, parents, and other staff.

With prior approval from the Superintendent or the Director of Technology, staff may direct students who have been issued school-assigned email accounts to use those accounts when signing-up/registering for access to various online educational services, including mobile applications/apps that will be utilized by the students for educational purposes under the teacher’s supervision.

Staff are responsible for good behavior when using District technology and information resources - i.e., behavior comparable to that expected when they are in classrooms, school hallways, and other school premises and school-sponsored events. Communications on the Internet are often public in nature. The Board does not approve any use of the technology and information resources that is not authorized by or conducted strictly in compliance with this policy and its accompanying guidelines.

  1. Staff may only use District technology resources to access or use social media if it is done for educational or business-related purposes.
  2. Staff will not use the District network for political campaigning or to further political affiliation.
  3. Staff shall not use the District network to vandalize, damage, or disable the property of another person or organization.
  4. Staff will not make deliberate attempts to degrade or disrupt equipment, software, or system performance by spreading computer viruses, engaging in "spamming," or by any other means.
  5. Staff shall not tamper with, modify, or change the District system software, hardware, or wiring, or take any action to violate the District security system.
  6. Staff will not use the District's electronic information in such a way as to disrupt the use of the system by other users.
  7. Staff shall not use the District network to gain unauthorized access to another person's materials, information, or files, without the implied or direct permission of that person.
  8. Staff shall not deliberately or knowingly delete a student or employee file.
  9. Staff shall not post private or confidential information about another individual, employee, or student on social networks.
  10. Staff shall not attempt to gain unauthorized access to the District network or attempt to log in through another person's account, or use computer accounts, access codes, or network identification other than those assigned to them. Staff shall keep all account information and passwords private.
  11. Staff shall not use the District network to violate copyright laws or usage licensing agreements.

General school rules for behavior and communication apply.

Use of a staff member's personal device or School District device and any form of communication about a student will be considered a pupil record under the Wisconsin Pupil Records Statute 118.125.

Use of a staff member's personal device or School District device and any form of communication that is school-related is subject to Wisconsin Statute 120.12(28), Public Record Access.

Staff is encouraged to use personal electronic storage when saving or storing personal information, such as pictures, videos, music, and other personal files.

Users who disregard this policy and its accompanying guidelines may have their use privileges suspended or revoked, and disciplinary action taken against them. Users are personally responsible and liable, both civilly and criminally, for uses of District technology and information resources that are not authorized by this policy and its accompanying guidelines.

The Board designates the Superintendent and the Director of Technology as the administrators responsible for initiating, implementing, and enforcing this policy and its accompanying guidelines as they apply to staff's use of District technology and information resources.

Social Media Use

Staff’s personal or private use of social media may have unintended consequences. While the Board respects its staff's First Amendment Rights, those rights do not include permission to post inflammatory comments that could compromise the District's mission, undermine staff relationships, or cause a substantial disruption to the school environment. This warning includes staff’s online conduct that occurs off school property, including from a private computer. All social media information created by staff is sponsored and monitored, and managed by the District only.

In addition, Federal and State confidentiality laws forbid schools and their staff from using or disclosing student education records without parental consent. See Policy 8330. Education records include a wide variety of information; posting personally identifiable information about students is not permitted. Staff who violate State and Federal confidentiality laws or privacy laws related to the disclosure of confidential employee information may be disciplined.

Staff members retain the right of communication for collective bargaining purposes and union organizational activities.

Revised 6/15/20
Revised 9/14/20
T.C. 7/24/23

© Neola 2024