Staff Computer Use & Internet Safety Policies Rules

Code No.: 605.4R1
Staff Computer Use and Internet Safety Policy
Rules and Procedures
A. Educational Purpose
Anamosa Community School District’s Internet system and network is limited to educational
purposes. Activities that are acceptable include classroom activities and career development. It
is not a public access service or a public forum. You may not use it for commercial purposes.
Anamosa Community School District has the right to place reasonable restrictions on the
material you access or post through the system. You are expected to follow the expectations and
rules set forth at each school, as well as the law, in your use of the Anamosa Community School
District’s Internet system and network. This is School Equipment, and as such, you should use
discretion in your personal use of these devices. You are not to use them in any manner that
would be demeaning to the School District. You are cautioned not to use them in any illegal
activity or try to install applications that you do not have the requisite permissions for. Do not
access or store inappropriate images on the school’s devices.
B. Internet Access
The World Wide Web is a global database system providing access to information from around
the world. Staff may have access to the web information resources through their classroom,
library, or school computer lab.
E-mail is an electronic mail system, which allows personnel to communicate one-to-one with
people throughout the world. All staff may have e-mail accounts. Privileges of personal use of
e-mail are extended to staff for communication with family and friends that does not interfere
with the mission of the Anamosa Community School District, does not violate law, and complies
with normal standards of appropriateness associated with public employment.
C. Unacceptable Uses
The following uses of Anamosa Community School District’s Internet system and network are
considered unacceptable:
1. Personal Safety and Personal Privacy of Students. You are cautioned about
posting personal contact information about yourself and should not post personal contact
information about students. Personal contact information includes address, telephone, school
address, work address, etc. You are cautioned against meeting with someone you have met
online. You will promptly disclose to your principal or other school employee any message you
receive that is inappropriate or makes you feel uncomfortable.
2. Illegal Activities. You will not attempt to gain unauthorized access to Anamosa
Community School District’s Internet system and network or to any other computer system
through the Anamosa Community School District’s Internet system and network, or go beyond
your authorized access. This includes attempting to log in through another person’s account or
access another person’s files. You will not make deliberate attempts to disrupt the computer
system or destroy data by spreading computer viruses, or by any other means. You will not use
the Anamosa Community School District’s internet system and network to engage in any other
illegal act, such as arranging for a drug sale or the purchase of alcohol, engaging in a criminal
gang activity, threatening the safety of persons, etc.
3. System Security. You are responsible for your individual account and must take all
reasonable precautions to prevent others from being able to use your account. Under no
conditions should you provide your password to another person. You will immediately notify
your principal or the system administrator if you have identified a possible security problem. Do
not look for security problems, because this may be construed as an illegal attempt to gain
access.
4. Inappropriate Language. Restrictions against inappropriate language apply to
public messages, private messages, and material posted on web pages. You will not use obscene,
profane, lewd, vulgar, rude, inflammatory, threatening, or disrespectful language. You will not
post information that could cause damage or a danger of disruption. You will not engage in
personal attacks, including prejudicial or discriminatory attacks. You will not harass another
person. Harassment is persistently acting in a manner that distresses or annoys another person.
If you are told by a person to stop sending messages, you must stop. You will not knowingly or
recklessly post false or defamatory information about a person or organization.
5. Respect for Privacy. You will not repost a message that was sent to you privately
without permission of the person who sent you the message. You will not post private
information, including personal contact information, about another person.
6. Respecting Resource Limits. You will use the system only for educational and
career development activities. You will not download files without permission. You will not
post chain letters or engage in “spamming”. Spamming is sending annoying or unnecessary
message to a large number of people.
7. Plagiarism. You will not plagiarize works that you find on the internet. Plagiarism is
taking the ideas or writings of others and presenting them as if they were yours.
8. Copyright. You will respect the rights of copyright owners. Copyright infringement
occurs when you inappropriately reproduce a work that is protected by a copyright. If a work
contains language that specifies appropriate use of that work, you should follow the expressed
requirements. If you are unsure whether or not you can use a work, you should request
permission from the copyright owner. If you have questions, ask the library/media specialist.
9. Inappropriate Access to Materials. You will not use the Anamosa Community
School District’s Internet system and network to access material that is designated for adults only
or is profane or obscene (pornography), that advocates illegal or dangerous acts, or that
advocates violence or discrimination towards other people (hate literature). If you mistakenly
access inappropriate information, you should immediately tell your principal to assure filter
adjustment. This will protect you against a claim that you have intentionally violated this policy.
D. Disciplinary Actions
You should expect only limited privacy in the contents of your personal files or record of web
research activities on the Anamosa Community School District’s Internet system and network.
Routine maintenance and monitoring of the Anamosa Community School District’s internet
system and network may lead to discovery that you have violated this policy or the law. An
individual search will be conducted if there is reasonable suspicion that you have violated this
policy or the law. Your principal has the right to eliminate any expectation of privacy by
providing notice to the staff.
The District will cooperate fully with local, state, or federal officials in any investigation related
to any illegal activities conducted through the Anamosa Community School District’s Internet
system and network. In the event there is a claim that you have violated this policy in your use
of the Anamosa Community School District’s Internet system and network, you will be provided
with notice of the suspected violation and an opportunity to present an explanation.
E. Limitation of Liability
The District makes no guarantee that the functions or the services provided by or through the
District system will be error-free or without defect. The District will not be responsible for any
damage you may suffer, including but not limited to, loss of data or interruptions of service. The
District is not responsible for the accuracy or quality of the information obtained through or
stored on the system. The District will not be responsible for financial obligations arising
through the unauthorized use of the system. You may be held financially responsible for any
harm to the system as a result of the intentional misuse.
Approved 1/15/96
Reviewed 11/15/99
Revised 6/3/02
Reviewed 2/16/04
Revised 1/5/09
Reviewed 3/23/15