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GCSA-R Employee Computer and Internet Use Rules

 

Each employee is responsible for his/her actions and activities involving school unit computers, network and Internet services, and for his/her 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 administrator, technology director or the Superintendent.
 

  1. Access to School Devices and Acceptable Use

The level of employee access to school technology systems is based upon specific job requirements and needs. Unauthorized access to secure areas of the school unit’s computers and network is strictly prohibited.

All Board policies, school rules and expectations for professional conduct and communications apply when employees are using the school unit’s computers, network and Internet services, whether in use at school or off school premises.
 

  1. Prohibited Uses

Examples of unacceptable uses which are expressly prohibited include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Any use that is illegal or which violates Policy GCSA and/or other Board policies/procedures or school rules, including harassing, discriminatory or threatening communications and behavior; violations of copyright laws or software licenses; etc. The school unit assumes no responsibility for illegal activities of employees while using school computers.

  • Any attempt to access unauthorized web sites or any attempt to disable or circumvent the school unit’s filtering/blocking technology.

  • Any use involving materials that are obscene, pornographic, sexually explicit or sexually suggestive, harmful to minors, or intended to appeal to prurient interests.

  • Any communications with students or minors for non-school-related purposes.

  • Any use for private financial, commercial, advertising or solicitation purposes.

  • Any sending of email messages to groups of school employees using school email or others except as part of the performance of their duties as school employees without permission of the building administrator or Superintendent. Prohibited uses of the email system also include but are not limited to:

    • Solicitation of membership in any non-school-sponsored organization;

    • Advocacy or expression by or on behalf of individuals or non-school- sponsored organizations or associations;

    • Political or religious purposes; 

    • Raising funds for non-school-sponsored purposes, whether profit-making or not-for-profit; 

    • Selling articles or services of any kind, advertising or promoting any kind of business.

    • Any communication that represents an employee’s personal views as those of the school unit or that could be misinterpreted as such.

    • Any malicious use, damage or disruption of the school unit’s computers, network and Internet services; any breach of security features; any failure to report a security breach; or misuse of computer passwords or accounts (the employee’s or those of other users).

    • Any attempt to delete, erase or otherwise conceal any information stored on a school computer and/or systems that violates these rules or other Board policies or school rules, or refusing to return computer equipment issued to the employee upon request.

The district will develop an alternative forum to promote the culture of the organization.
 

  1. 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.
 

  1. Compensation for Losses, Costs and/or Damages

An 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.
 

  1. Additional Rules for Use of Privately-Owned Devices by Employee
     

  • The school unit is not responsible for damage, loss or theft of any privately-owned computer.

  • Employees are required to comply with all Board policies/procedures and school rules while using privately-owned computers.

  • Employees have no expectation of privacy in their use of a privately-owned computer while it is being used at school. The contents of the computer may be searched in accordance with applicable laws and policies.

 

Approved: June 12, 2002

Revised: October 18, 2011

Cross Reference: GCSA – Employee Computer and Internet Use