COMPUTER NETWORK FOR EDUCATION

The Board of Education is committed to the optimization of student learning and teaching. The Board considers a computer network to be a valuable tool for education, and encourages the use of computers and computer-related technology in district classrooms. The Board encourages computer network use as an integral part of the curriculum. Through software applications, online databases, bulletin boards and electronic mail, the network will significantly enhance educational experiences and provide statewide, national and global communications opportunities for staff and students. The Board directs the Superintendent of Schools to designate a computer coordinator to oversee the use of district computer resources. The computer coordinator will prepare in-service programs for the training and development of district staff in computer skills, and for the incorporation of computer use in the subject areas The Superintendent, working in conjunction with the designated Purchasing Agent for the district and the computer coordinator, will be responsible for the purchase and district distribution of computer software and hardware throughout district schools. They shall prepare and submit for the Board's approval a comprehensive mufti-year technology plan which shall be revised as necessary to reflect changing technology' and/or district needs. The Superintendent shall establish rules and regulations governing the use and security of the district's computer network. Failure to comply with district policy and regulations for use of the network may result in disciplinary action, as well as suspension and/or revocation of computer access privileges. Computer Network for Education Regulations The use of computers and computer networks has become increasingly common in schools as an aid in instruction or to provide educational enrichment. The Voorheesville Central Schools Board of Education has established policies governing the use and security of the district's system. General Discussion Computer networks provide schools with unique opportunities for statewide, national and international collaboration on class projects, curriculum malls, and idea sharing- With this opportunity also comes the responsibility on the part of users to practice proper ethical use and security. Objectionable Material VOORHEESVILLE CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT DOES NOT HAVE CONTROL OF THE INFORMATION ON THE INTERNET. Our connection to the Internet gives us access to thousands of interconnected networks around the world. Some sites accessible via the Internet may contain material that is inappropriate for educational use in a K-1 2 setting. Although there are some technical solutions to block access to known sources of inappropriate material, such solutions may not be foolproof. The District does not condone the use of such materials and will not permit known usage of such in the school environment The District also denies any responsibility for the accuracy or quality of information obtained through its Internet. System Access The following individuals may be designated as members with access to the computer network system: 1.  Elementary, middle and secondary students may be granted an account for up to one academic year at a time. 2.  Teachers may apply for a class account 3.  Other district employees as deemed necessary. 4.  Community members as deemed necessary. Procedures for Acceptable Use 1.     The district's computer network shall be used only for educational purposes consistent with the district's mission and goals. 2.     The use of the network should encourage efficient cooperative and creative methods to perform the users job duties or educational tasks, support research for educational purposes and provide access to unique resources and collaborative projects. 3.     Users must sign a consent form indicating that they are aware of this policy and will abide in accordance with it Students must also have parental permission to gain access to Internet accounts. 4.     The individual in whose name an account is issued is responsible at all times for its proper use. 5.     Network users will be issued a login name and password. 6.     Users may only obtain access when supervised by a VCSD staff member. The number of simultaneous users will be determined by that staff member. 7.     Only those network users with written permission from the Principal or computer coordinator may access the districts system from off-site (e.g., from home). 8.     Network users identifying a security problem on the district's system must notify the appropriate teacher, administrator or computer coordinator. Do not demonstrate the problem to anyone. 9.     Student account information will be maintained in accordance with applicable education records law and district policy and regulations. 10.     Copyrighted material may not be placed on any computer connected to the district's network without the author's permission. Only staff specifically authorized may upload copyrighted material to the network 11.     Network users may download copyrighted material for their own use. Copyrighted material shall be used in accordance with the fair use doctrine and district policy and regulations. 12.     Any network user identified as a security risk or having a history of violations of district computer use guidelines may be denied access to the district's network. Unacceptable Use The following is a fist of unacceptable actions concerning use of the district's computer network. Violation of any of these prohibitions may result in discipline or other appropriate penalty, including suspension or revocation of a user's access to the network 1.     There must be no sharing of the passwords without written permission from the teacher/administrator or computer coordinator, as appropriate. 2.     Attempts to read, delete, copy or modify the electronic mail of other system users is prohibited as is deliberate interference with the ability of other system users to send/receive electronic mail. Forgery or attempted forgery of electronic mail messages is prohibited. 3.     No personal software or disks may be loaded onto the district's computers and/or network, without permission of the teacher/administrator or computer coordinator. 4.     Attempts by a user to log on to the district's system in the name of another individual, with or without the individual's password, is prohibited. 5.     System users shall not encourage the use of tobacco, alcohol or controlled substances or otherwise promote any other activity prohibited by district policy, state or federal law. 6.     Use of computer access to data and access to secure areas other than for educational purposes is prohibited. 7.     System users shall not evade, change or exceed resource quotas as set by the administration. A user who continues to violate disk space quotas after seven calendar days of notification may have their file removed by the system coordinator. Such quotas may be exceeded only by requesting to the appropriate administrator or system coordinator that disk quotas be increased and stating the need for the increase. 8.     Accessing or distributing inappropriate material, i.e. obscene, abusive, threatening, harassing (religious, sexual, racial), or any material specifically prohibited by district policy or regulation, local, state or federal law or regulation is prohibited. 9.     Transmission of material, information or software in violation of any district policy or regulation, local, state or federal law or regulation is prohibited. 10.     Vandalism will result in cancellation of system use privileges. Vandalism is defined as a malicious attempt to harm or destroy district equipment or materials, data of another user of the district's system or any of the agencies or other networks that are connected to Internet This includes, but is not limited to, the uploading or creating of computer viruses. 11.     Tampering with or misuse of the computer system or taking any other action inconsistent with this policy and regulation will be viewed as a security violation.