GCSA-R Employee Computer and Internet Use Rules
These rules implement Board policy GCSA (Employee Computer and Internet Use). Each employee is responsible for their actions and activities involving school unit computers, networks, and Internet services, and for their computer files, passwords, and accounts. These rules provide general guidance concerning the use of the school unit’s computers and examples of prohibited uses. The rules do not attempt to describe
every possible prohibited activity by employees. Employees who have questions about whether a particular activity or use is prohibited are encouraged to contact a Building Principal or the Technology Director.
A. Consequences for Violation of Computer Use Policy and Rules
Failure to comply with Board policy GCSA, these rules, and/or other procedures or rules governing computer use may result in disciplinary
action, up to and including termination. Illegal use of the school unit’s computers will also result in referral to law enforcement.
B. Access to School Computers, Networks, and Internet Services
The level of employee access to school unit computers, networks, and Internet services is based upon specific job requirements and needs.
Unauthorized access to secure areas of the school unit’s computers and networks is strictly prohibited.
C. Acceptable Use
Falmouth Public Schools computers, networks, and Internet services are provided to employees for administrative, educational, communication,
and research purposes consistent with the school unit’s educational mission, curriculum, and instructional goals. All Board policies, school
rules, and expectations for professional conduct and communication apply when employees are using the school unit’s computers, networks, and Internet services.
Leaders of recognized collective bargaining organizations may use public school computers, networks and internet services for conducting official union business, as permitted by applicable collective bargaining agreements or with express authorization from the Building Principal or the Technology Director. Such use must not interfere with instructional time, student access to technology, or the regular operation of school programs.
D. Personal Use
School unit computers, network, and Internet services are provided for purposes related to school programs and operations, and performance of their job responsibilities. Incidental personal use of school computers is permitted as long as such use: 1) does not interfere with the employee’s job responsibilities and performance; 2) does not interfere with system operations or other system users; and 3) does not violate this policy and the accompanying rules, or any other Board policy, procedure, or school rules. “Incidental personal use” is defined as use by an individual employee for occasional personal communications.
E. Prohibited Uses
Examples of unacceptable uses that are expressly prohibited include, but are not limited to, the following:
1. Any use that is illegal or which violates other Board policies, procedures, or school rules, including harassing, discriminatory or
threatening communications and behavior, violations of copyright laws, etc. The school unit assumes no responsibility for illegal
activities of employees while using school computers.
2. Any use involving materials that are obscene, pornographic, sexually explicit or sexually suggestive;
3. Any inappropriate communications with students or minors;
4. Any use for private financial gain, or commercial, advertising, or solicitation purposes;
5. Any use as a forum for communicating by email or any other medium with other school users or outside parties to solicit,
proselytize, advocate or communicate the views of an individual or non-school-sponsored organization; to solicit membership in or
support of any non-school-sponsored organization; or to raise funds for any non-school-sponsored purpose, whether profit or
not-for-profit. No employee shall knowingly provide school email addresses to outside parties whose intent is to communicate with
school employees, students, and/or their families for non-school purposes. Employees who are uncertain as to whether particular
activities are acceptable should seek further guidance from the Building Principal or other appropriate administrator.
6. Any communication that represents personal views as those of the school unit or that could be misinterpreted as such;
7. Downloading or loading software or applications without permission from the system administrator. Unauthorized copying of software is
illegal and may subject the copier to substantial civil and criminal penalties. The school unit assumes no responsibility for illegal
software copying by employees.
8. Sending mass emails to school users or outside parties for school or non-school purposes without the permission of the Building
Principal or Technology Director.
9. Any malicious use or disruption of the school unit’s computers, networks, and Internet services; any breach of security features; or
misuse of computer passwords or accounts (the employee’s or those of other users);
10. Any misuse or damage to the school unit’s computer equipment, including opening or forwarding email attachments (executable
files) from unknown sources and/or that may contain viruses;
11. Any attempt to access unauthorized sites or any attempt to disable or circumvent the school unit’s filtering/blocking technology;
12. Failing to report a breach of computer security to the system administrator;
13. Using school computers, networks, and Internet services after such access has been denied or revoked; and
14. Any attempt to delete, erase, or otherwise conceal any information stored on a school computer that violates these rules or other
Board policies or school rules, or refusing to return computer equipment issued to the employee upon request.
F. No Expectation of Privacy
Falmouth Public School computers remain under the control, custody, and supervision of the school unit at all times. The school unit reserves the right to monitor all computer and Internet activity by employees and other system users. Employees have no expectation of privacy in their use of school computers, including email messages and stored files, and Internet access logs.
G. Disclosure of Confidential Information
Employees are expected to use appropriate judgment and caution in communications concerning students and staff to ensure that personally
identifiable information remains confidential.
H. Employee/Volunteer Responsibility to Supervise Student Computer Use
Employees and volunteers who use school computers with students for instructional purposes have a duty of care to supervise such use.
Teachers, staff members, and volunteers are expected to be familiar with the school unit’s policies and rules concerning student computer and
Internet use and to enforce them. When, in the course of their duties, employees or volunteers become aware of a student violation, they are
expected to stop the activity and inform the Building Principal.
I. Compensation for Losses, Costs and/or Damages
The employee is responsible for compensating the school unit for any losses, costs, or damages incurred by the school unit for violations of
Board policies and school rules while the employee is using school unit computers, including the cost of investigating such violations. The school
unit assumes no responsibility for any unauthorized charges or costs incurred by an employee while using school unit computers.
Approved: June 12, 2002
Revised: June 16, 2025
Cross Reference: GCSA – Employee Computer and Internet Use