2361 - ACCEPTABLE USE OF COMPUTER NETWORK/COMPUTERS AND RESOURCES
The Board of Education recognizes that as telecommunications and other new technologies shift the manner in which information is accessed, communicated and transferred that those changes will alter the nature of teaching and learning. Access to telecommunications will allow pupils to explore databases, libraries, Internet sites, bulletin boards and the like while exchanging information with individuals throughout the world. The Board supports access by pupils to information sources but reserves the right to limit in school use to materials appropriate to educational purposes. The Board directs the Superintendent to effect training of teaching staff members in skills appropriate to analyzing and evaluating such resources as to appropriateness for educational purposes.
The Board also recognizes that telecommunications will allow pupils access to information sources that have not been pre-screened by educators using
Board approved standards. The Board therefore adopts the following standards of conduct for the use of computer networks and declares unethical, unacceptable or illegal behavior as just cause for taking disciplinary action, limiting or revoking network access privileges and/or instituting legal action.
The Board provides access to computer network/computers for educational purposes only. The Board retains the right to restrict or terminate pupil access to the computer network/computers at any time, for any reason. The Board retains the right to have district personnel monitor network activity, in any form necessary, to maintain the integrity of the network and ensure its proper use.
Standards for Use of Computer Networks
Any individual engaging in the following actions when using computer networks/computers shall be subject to discipline or legal action:
- Using the computer network(s)/computers for illegal, inappropriate or obscene purposes, or in support of such activities. Illegal activities are defined as activities that violate federal, state, local laws and regulations. Inappropriate activities are defined as those that violate the intended use of the network. Obscene activities shall be defined as a violation of generally accepted social standards for use of publicly owned and operated communication vehicles.
- Using the computer network(s)/computers to violate copyrights, institutional or third party copyrights, license agreements or other contracts.
- Using the computer network(s) in a manner that:
1. Intentionally disrupts network traffic or crashes the network;
2. Degrades or disrupts equipment or system performance;
3. Uses the computing resources of the school district for commercial purposes, financial gain or fraud;
4. Steals data or other intellectual property;
5. Gains or seeks unauthorized access to the files of others or vandalizes the data of another user;
6. Gains or seeks unauthorized access to resources or entities;
7. Forges electronic mail messages or uses an account owned by others;
8. Invades privacy of others;
9. Posts anonymous messages;
10. Possesses any data which is a violation of this policy; and/or
11. Engages in other activities that do not advance the educational purposes for which computer networks/computers are provided.
Internet Safety/Protection
The school district is in compliance with the Children’s Internet Protection
Act and has installed technology protection measures for all computers in the school district, including computers in media centers/libraries that block and/or filter visual depictions that are obscene as defined in Section 1460 of Title 18, United States Code; child pornography, as defined in Section 2256 of Title 18, United States Code; are harmful to minors including any pictures, images, graphic image file or other visual depiction that taken as a whole and with respect to minors, appeals to a prurient interest in nudity, sex, or excretion; or depicts, describes, or represents in a patently offensive way, with respect to what is suitable for minors, sexual acts or conduct; or taken as a whole, lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value as to minors.
The school district will certify on an annual basis, that the schools, including media centers/libraries, in the district are in compliance with the Children’s Internet Protection Act and the school district enforces the requirements of this policy.
This Policy also establishes Internet safety policy and procedures in the district as required in the Neighborhood Children’s Internet Protection Act. Policy 2361 addresses access by minors to inappropriate matter on the Internet and World Wide Web; the safety and security of minors when using electronic mail, chat rooms, and other forms of direct electronic communications; unauthorized access, including “hacking” and other unlawful activities by minors online; unauthorized disclosures, use, and dissemination of personal identification information regarding minors; and measures designed to restrict minors’ access to materials harmful to minors.
Notwithstanding blocking and/or filtering the visual depictions prohibited in the Children’s Internet Protection Act, the Board shall determine other Internet material that is inappropriate for minors. The Board will provide reasonable public notice and will hold one annual public hearing during a regular monthly board meeting or during a designated special board meeting to address and receive public community input on the Internet safety policy - Policy and Regulation 2361.
Consent Requirement
No pupil shall be allowed to use the computer network and the Internet unless they shall have filed with the Technology Specialist a consent form signed by the pupil and his/her parent(s) or legal guardian(s).
Violations
Individuals violating this policy shall be subject to the consequences as indicated in Regulation No. 2361 and other appropriate discipline, which includes but are not limited to:
1. Use of the network only under direct supervision;
2. Suspension of network privileges;
3. Revocation of network privileges;
4. Suspension of computer privileges;
5. Revocation of computer privileges;
6. Suspension from school;
7. Expulsion from school; and/or
8. Legal action and prosecution by the authorities.
N.J.S.A. 2A:38A-3
Federal Communications Commission: Children’s Internet Protection Act.
Adopted: 04 April 2006
5512.02 CYBER-BULLYING
Policy Statement
A safe and civil environment in school is necessary for pupils to learn and achieve high academic standards. Cyber-bullying by a pupil in the district directed toward another school district pupil or school staff member is conduct that disrupts both a pupil's ability to learn and a school's ability to educate its pupils in a safe environment.
The Board of Education prohibits acts of cyber-bullying by school district pupils through the use of any school district owned, operated, and supervised technologies. The Building Principal or designee may report allegations of cyber-bullying to law enforcement authorities.
Definitions
"Cyber-Bullying" is the use of electronic information and communication devices, to include but not be limited to, e-mail messages, instant messaging, text messaging, cellular telephone communications, internet blogs, internet chat rooms, internet postings, and defamatory websites, that:
- Deliberately threatens, harasses, intimidates and individual or group of individuals; or Places and individual in reasonable fear of harm to the individual or damage to the individual's property; or Has the effect of substantially disrupting the orderly operation of the school.
- "School district owned, operated, or supervised technologies" is any computer, networking system, electronic equipment, or any other equipment or device that may be used by a person to communicate to another which is owned, leased, operated, or under the control or supervision of the school district and/or school district staff.
Reporting Procedure and Investigation
Any pupil or school staff member who believes he/she has or is being subjected to cyber-bullying, as well as any person who has reason to believe a pupil or school staff member has knowledge or reason to believe another pupil or school staff member is being subjected to or has been subjected to cyber-bullying shall immediately make a report to the Building Principal or designee.
The Building Principal or designee shall investigate all reports of such conduct. If the investigation results indicate cyber-bullying was not committed, the Building Principal or designee will inform the affected parties of the investigation results. In the event the investigation results indicate cyber-bullying was committed by a school district pupil on school grounds and/or using school district technologies, the pupil will be subjected to appropriate discipline.
In the event the investigation results indicate cyber-bullying was committed by a school district pupil using non-school district technologies away from
school grounds, the Building Principal or designee may report the investigation results to local law enforcement. In addition, school authorities have the right to impose a consequence on a pupil for conduct away from school grounds, including on a school bus or at a school-sponsored function pursuant to N.J.A.C.6A:16-7.6. This authority shall be exercised only when it is reasonably necessary for the pupil's physical or emotional safety, security, and well-being or for reasons relating to the safety, security, and well-being of other pupils, staff, or school grounds, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:25-2 and 18A:37-2. This authority shall be exercised only when the conduct, which is the subject of the proposed consequence, materially and substantially interferes with the requirements of appropriate discipline in the operation of the school. Consequences shall be handled in accordance with Policy and Regulation 5600, N.J.A.C. 6A:16-7.1, and as appropriate, in accordance with N.J.A.C. 6A:16-7.2, 6A:16-7.3, or 6A:16-7.5.
Any investigation regarding an allegation of cyber-bullying will provide all parties the appropriate due process rights, including the right to appeal the determination of the Building Principal or designee as outlined in Regulation 5512.
Discipline and Consequences
Some acts of cyber-bullying may be isolated incidents requiring the school district to respond appropriately to the individual committing the acts. Other acts may be so serious or part of a larger pattern of cyber-bullying that require a response either at the classroom, school building, or school district level or by law enforcement officials.
Consequences and appropriate remedial actions for pupils who commit an act of cyber-bullying range from positive behavioral interventions up to and including suspension or expulsion, as permitted under N.J.S.A. 18A:37-1, Discipline of Pupils. In addition, cyber-bullying using district technology violates Policy 2361 – Acceptable Use of Computer Network/Computer and Resources and subjects the pupil to discipline and sanctions of Policy and Regulation 2361.
Prevention and intervention techniques to prevent cyber-bullying and to support and protect victims shall include appropriate strategies and activities as determined by the Building Principal or designee.
Reprisal or Retaliation Prohibited
The school district prohibits reprisal or retaliation against any person who reports an act of cyber-bullying. The consequence and appropriate remedial action for a person who engages in reprisal or retaliation shall be determined by the Building Principal or designee after consideration of the nature and circumstances of the act, in accordance with case law, Federal and State statutes and regulations, and district policies and procedures.
Consequences for False Accusation
Consequences and appropriate remedial action for a pupil found to have falsely accused another of an act of cyber-bullying range from positive behavioral interventions up to and including suspension or expulsion, as permitted under N.J.S.A. 18A:37-1, Discipline of Pupils.
Consequences and appropriate remedial action for a school employee found to have falsely accused another of an act of cyber-bullying shall be disciplined in accordance with district policies and procedures.
Policy Publication
This Policy will be disseminated annually to all school staff, pupils, and parent(s) or legal guardian(s).
Adopted: February 15, 2007