COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY and NETWORKS ACCEPTABLE USE POLICY
The School Board is committed to the effective use of technology to both enhance the quality of student learning and the efficiency of Corporation operations. It also recognizes that safeguards have been established to ensure that the Corporation's investment in both hardware and software is achieving the benefits of technology and inhibiting negative side effects.
The Superintendent is directed to establish administrative guidelines not only for acquisition of technology but also to ensure that the staff and students are making appropriate and ethical use of the computers and other equipment as well as any networks that may be established. The responsibility for the educational value of Internet access is the joint responsibility of school staff; the students with access to the Internet, and their parents. Such guidelines shall also ensure that parents are provided the option to request alternative activities not requiring Internet access.
The Superintendent shall also ensure that both staff and students are adequately informed about disciplinary actions that will be taken if Corporation technology and/or networks are abused in any way, or used in an illegal or unethical manner.
Rights and Responsibilities
The rights and responsibilities of school employees are fully protected, including due process rights. School employees will not be held liable for improper student use of the Internet
School employees may have censorship, intellectual property, academic freedom, and privacy concerns which are beyond those extending to students.
The Association may have rights to use school corporation electronic networking and computer equipment and facilities in the same manner as other equipment and facilities.
The Union Township School Corporation reserves the right to any material stored in files to which all users have access and will edit or remove any material which Union Township School Corporation staff in its sole discretion, believes, may be objectionable. Users of the network will not use their account to obtain, view, download or otherwise gain access to such materials.
Privacy in communication over the Internet and the Network is not guaranteed. To ensure compliance with these guidelines, the Corporation reserves the right to monitor, review, and inspect any directories, files and/or messages residing on or sent using the Corporation's computers/network. Messages relating to or in support of illegal activities will be reported to the appropriate authorities.
Students may not use the Internet to access any database or service which charges a fee for access. The download of any file, including without limitation, software for which a fee is charged is prohibited. If any of the foregoing occurs, the user will be responsible for paying any fees so incurred and user privileges may be canceled.
This policy and the guidelines and agreements established by the Superintendent are to be made available for review by parents, members of the staff and members of the community.
The provisions of this policy and associated guidelines and agreements are subordinate to local, State, and Federal law.
Guidelines for Acceptable Use:
The Union Township School District provides Internet access for the purpose of promoting the use of telecommunication and networking technology as a tool to enhance classroom teaching and technology. All use of the network must be consistent with this purpose and be in accordance with this policy.
The purpose of this policy is to ensure that those using the information resources will do so with respect for the public trust and in accordance with Union Township School's mission and educational goals and the policy and regulations established from time to time by School Board or state and/or federal agencies.
The Internet links computer networks around the world and provides access to a wide variety of computer and information resources. It is essential for each user on the network to recognize his/her responsibility in having access to vast services, sites, systems and people. Because of the cost and sensitivity of computer equipment, and because of the unregulated nature of material found on the Internet, the rules for usage must be understood by all parents and students. Access to the network is a privilege, which requires that each user adhere to the responsibility of acceptable use.
To access, possess, distribute, display, print or transmit any material in violation of any state or federal regulation is prohibited. This prohibition extends to, but is not limited to: copyrighted material, threatening, obscene, or any unlawful material, and material protected by trade secret, or any material that is objectionable, inappropriate and/or harmful to minors. Use of the network for any illegal activities is prohibited. Offensive messages and pictures, inappropriate text files, or files dangerous to the integrity of the Corporation's computers/network (e.g., viruses) are also prohibited.
Responsible Users May:
Only access the Internet by using their assigned Internet/E-mail account. Use of another person's account/address/password is prohibited. Students may not allow other users to utilize their passwords
Use the Internet to research assigned classroom projects.
Use the Internet to send electronic mail (e-mail) to other users through the user’s corporation provided account.
Use the Internet to explore other computer systems.
Responsible Users May Not:
Use offensive or inappropriate language, or language that would promote violence or hatred, and do not respond to such.
Reveal your (or other's) name, personal address, phone number, credit card information, of yourself or other students, family members, teachers, administration, or other staff members.
Access or participate in online "chat rooms" or other forms of direct electronic communication (other than e-mail) without prior approval from a teacher or the principal. All such authorized communications must comply with these guidelines.
Intentionally seek information on, obtain copies of, or modify files, data or passwords belonging to other users, or misrepresent other users on the network.
Use the network in such a way as to disrupt use of the network by others or abuse access time.
Harass anyone by sending uninvited communications.
Send electronic information from accounts that do not belong to you without the owner’s authorization.
Access unauthorized or inappropriate areas on the network and do not change or interfere with information found on the network.
Use the Internet to engage in "hacking" or other unlawful activities.
Transmit any material in violation of any State or Federal law or regulation, or Board policy.
Misrepresent yourself or your age.
Agree to get together with someone you "meet" online without prior parent approval.
Access the network at Union Township Schools without a signed Internet Use Agreement
Union Township Schools makes no warranties of any kind, whether expressed or implied, for the service it is providing. Union Township Schools reserve the right to modify the Acceptable Use Policy at any time. It is the responsibility of the user to check for policy changes. Teachers and/or administrators will determine what is inappropriate use.