2020 6410
Personnel
SUBJECT: STAFF ACCEPTABLE USE POLICY
The Board will provide staff with access to various computerized information resources through the District’s computer system (DCS) consisting of software, hardware, computer networks, wireless networks/access, and electronic communication systems. This may include access to electronic mail, on-line services, and the Internet. It may also include the opportunity for staff to have independent access to the DCS from their home or other remote locations, and/or to access the DCS from their personal devices. All use of the DCS and the wireless network, including independent use off school premises and use on personal devices, will be subject to this policy and any accompanying regulations.
The Board encourages staff to make use of the DCS to explore educational topics, conduct research, and contact others in the educational world. The Board anticipates that staff access to various computerized information resources will both expedite and enhance the performance of tasks associated with their positions and assignments. To that end, the Board directs the Superintendent or designee(s) to provide staff with training in the proper and effective use of the DCS.
Staff use of the DCS is conditioned upon written agreement by the staff member that use of the DCS will conform to the requirements of this policy and any regulations adopted to ensure acceptable use of the DCS. These agreements will be kept on file in the District Office.
Generally, the same standards of acceptable staff conduct which apply to any aspect of job performance will apply to use of the DCS. Employees are expected to communicate in a professional manner consistent with applicable District policies and regulations governing the behavior of school staff. Electronic mail and telecommunications will not be utilized to share confidential information about students or other employees.
Access to confidential data is a privilege afforded to District employees in the performance of their duties. Safeguarding this data is a District responsibility that the Board takes very seriously. Consequently, District employment does not automatically guarantee the initial or ongoing ability to use mobile or personal devices to access the DCS and the information it may contain.
This policy does not attempt to articulate all required and/or acceptable uses of the DCS; nor is it the intention of this policy to define all inappropriate usage. Administrative regulations will further define general guidelines of appropriate staff conduct and use as well as proscribed behavior.
District staff will also adhere to the laws, policies, and rules governing computers including, but not limited to, copyright laws, rights of software publishers, license agreements, and rights of privacy protected by federal and state law.
Staff members who engage in unacceptable use may lose access to the DCS and may be subject to further discipline under the law and in accordance with applicable collective bargaining agreements. Legal action may be initiated against a staff member who willfully, maliciously, or unlawfully damages or destroys property of the District.
Social Media Use by Employees
The District recognizes the value of teacher and professional staff inquiry, investigation and communication using new technology tools to enhance student learning experiences. The District also realizes its obligations to teach and ensure responsible and safe use of these new technologies. Social media, including social networking sites (SNS), have great potential to connect people around the globe and enhance communication. Therefore, the Board encourages the use of District-approved social media tools and the exploration of new and emerging technologies to supplement the range of communication and educational services.
Public social media networks or SNS are defined to include: websites, Web logs (blogs), wikis, social networks, online forums, virtual worlds, video sites, and any other social media generally available to the District community which do not fall within the District’s electronic technology network (e.g., Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, LinkedIn, Flickr, Vine, Instagram, SnapChat, etc.). The definition of District approved password-protected social media tools are those that fall within the District’s electronic technology network or which the District has approved for educational use. Within these internal forums, the District has greater authority and ability to protect minors from inappropriate content and can limit public access.
The use of social media (whether public or internal) can generally be defined as Official District Use, Professional/Instructional Use and Personal Use. Personal use of social media or SNS by employees during District time is discouraged and is prohibited on District-owned equipment. In addition, employees are encouraged to maintain the highest levels of professionalism when communicating, whether using District devices or their own personal devices, in their professional capacity as educators. They have a responsibility to address inappropriate behavior or activity on these networks, including requirements for mandated reporting and compliance with all applicable District policies and regulations.
Official District Use
“Official District use” is defined as the use of social media by an employee, on behalf of his or her department, program or school that has been authorized for the express purpose of communicating the District’s broad interests or specific programmatic and policy interests. Authorization must be granted by the Superintendent or designee and all account names and log in passwords must be on file with the Director of Technology.
Professional or Classroom Use
“Professional use” is defined as an employee’s use of social media for the purpose of furthering his or her specific job responsibilities or professional duties through an externally focused site or District sponsored site. While use for professional interests is beneficial to the work of the District because it enables employees to stay informed on important issues or to collaborate with their peers, the social media site is not maintained or monitored by the District itself, however employees’ participation requires prior approval. “Classroom use” is defined as the use of SNS in a classroom for instructional purposes, i.e., Google Classroom, class websites, class blogs, etc. Such use could include teachers uploading homework or materials, as well as allowing students to interact with their peers or their teacher to discuss a current class topic. Staff must obtain prior approval for classroom use of these internal applications and no software directly by students requires the express permission of the Director of Technology and/or the Assistant Superintendent of Instruction.
Personal Use
“Personal Use” is defined as use that is not related to the employee’s job duties for the District or his or her professional interests. Personal use of social media or SNS by employees during District time is discouraged and prohibited on District-owned equipment. Employees are encouraged to maintain the highest levels of professionalism when communicating, whether using District devices or their own personal devices, in their professional capacity as educators.
Confidentiality, Private Information and Privacy Rights
Confidential or private data, including, but not limited to, protected student records, employee personal identifying information, and District assessment data, will only be loaded, stored, or transferred to District-owned devices which have encryption and/or password protection. This restriction, designed to ensure data security, encompasses all computers and devices within the DCS, any mobile devices, including flash or key drives, and any devices that access the DCS from remote locations. Staff will not use email to transmit confidential files in order to work at home or another location. Similarly, staff are prohibited from using cloud-based storage services (such as Dropbox, GoogleDrive, SkyDrive, etc.) for confidential files.
In addition, staff will not leave any devices unattended with confidential information visible. All devices must be locked down while the staff member steps away from the device, and settings enabled to freeze and lock after a set period of inactivity.
Staff data files and electronic storage areas will remain District property, subject to District control and inspection. The Technology Coordinator may access all staff data files and communications without prior notice to ensure system integrity and that users are complying with requirements of this policy and any accompanying regulations. Staff should not expect that information stored on the DCS will be private.
NOTE: Refer also to Policies
- #5672 — Information Security Breach and Notification
- #5674 — Data Networks and Security Access
- #5676 — Privacy and Security for Student Data and Teacher and Principal Data
- #6411 — Use of Email in the District
- #7316 — Student Use of Personal Technology
- #8271 — Internet Safety/Internet Content Filtering
Adopted: 8/24/11
Revised: 5/28/19; 9/22/20