FILE:  EFA

Cf:  IFBGA

USE OF TECHNOLOGY RESOURCES

PURPOSE

This policy statement of the Assumption Parish School Board sets forth some important guidelines and restrictions regarding any and all use of the school district’s technology resources.  This policy is not exhaustive of all user responsibilities, but is intended to outline certain specific responsibilities that each user acknowledges, accepts and agrees to follow when using technology resources provided by and/or through the school district, as well as those technology resources existing throughout the world to which the school district provides and/or enables access.  The school district provides technology resources for authorized users to support the educational and academic, and business purposes of the school district.  Use of the technology resources shall not conflict with the primary educational and academic purposes of the school district or with applicable laws and regulations.  As a condition for access to the technology resources, each user is personally responsible for ensuring that each and all of these guidelines are followed.

DEFINITIONS

For purposes of this policy statement, the following definitions shall apply:

Technology resources shall be defined as including all school district-owned and/or licensed information technology, computing and related resources, which includes computers, printers and related hardware, licensed software (such as e-mail and Web-browsers), communications, personal communication devices (PDA's, cell phones, etc), Internet access and all other related resources.   This is not deemed to be an all-inclusive list as technology advancements are occurring in an exponential time frame.  So as to not have to revise this policy, all additional technology resources here-to-fore not mentioned shall be deemed to be included in this list.

User shall be defined as any person that utilizes technology resources.

USER RESPONSIBILITIES

Each user is strictly responsible for adhering to the highest standards of ethical, responsible and considerate uses of technology resources, and for avoiding those uses prohibited by law or other directives.

Each user of technology resources shall:

• Use technology resources only for authorized purposes in accordance with the school district’s policies and procedures, with federal, state and local laws, and with related laws and authorities governing the use of technology resources, software, email and/or similar technology.
   

• Maintain passwords according to the Administrative Password Policy in confidence and inform Information Technology Services if a breach occurs since log-on identification and passwords act as electronic signatures.
   

• Be considerate in the use of shared technology resources, coordinating with Information Technology Services for "heavy use" operations that may unduly slow operations for other Users.
   

• Accept full responsibility for any publication resulting from technology resources and/or publishing Web pages and similar resources, including ensuring that all copyrights have been authorized for use.

Each User shall NOT:

• Obtain or use another’s log-on identification or password, or otherwise access technology resources to which authorization has not been validly given.
   

• Copy, install or use any software, data files or other technology that violates a copyright or license agreement.
   

• Transmit or participate in chain letters, hoaxes, scams, misguided warnings, pyramid schemes or any other fraudulent or unlawful schemes.
   

• Utilize technology resources, including the Internet and/or Email, to access, create, transmit, print or download material that is defamatory, obscene, fraudulent, harassing (including uninvited amorous or sexual messages), threatening, incites violence, or offensive, such as slurs, epithets, or anything that may be construed as harassment or disparagement based on race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, or religious or political beliefs or to access, send, receive, or solicit sexually oriented messages or images or any other communication prohibited by law or other directive.
   

• Intentionally copy, download, install or distribute a computer virus, worm, ”Trojan Horse” program, or other destructive programs, or otherwise harm systems or engage in any activity that would disrupt services, damage files, or make unauthorized modifications.
   

• Monopolize or disproportionately use shared technology resources, overload systems or networks with endless loops, interfere with others’ authorized use, degrade services or otherwise waste computer time, connection time, disk space, printer paper or similar resources.
   

• Modify or reconfigure any component of computing resources without proper Information Technology Services written authorization.
   

• Accept payments, discounts, free merchandise or services in exchange for any services provided through use of the computing resources. No user shall utilize district computer resources for personal gain.  
   

• Endanger the security of any technology resources or attempt to circumvent any established security measures, such as using a computer program to attempt password decoding.
   

• Send unsolicited mass mailings or ”spamming.”
   

• Transmit personal comments or statements or post information to newsgroups or Usenet that may be mistaken as the position of the school district.
   

• Utilize technology resources to develop, perform and/or perpetuate any unlawful act or to improperly disclose confidential information.
   

• Install, store or download software from the Internet or Email to school district technology resources unless such conduct is consistent with the school district’s educational and academic policies or otherwise properly approved by the school district.
   

• Copy, impair or remove any software located on any technology resources or install any software on any technology resources that impairs the function, operation and/or efficiency of any technology resources.

MONITORING AND PENALTIES

Use of the school district’s technology resources is a privilege, not a right.  Assumption Parish School District reviews and monitors its technology resources for compliance with policies, applicable laws and related directives, and discloses transactions to investigating authorities and others as warranted.  Users should not have any expectation of privacy when using and storing information on the school district’s technology resources and the school district specifically reserves the right to review and copy any data or other information stored on any technology resources, without notice to any user, by use of forensic computers or otherwise.  Violations of this policy may result in penalties, such as terminating access to technology resources, school district disciplinary action, civil liability and/or criminal sanctions.  All users are specifically prohibited from encrypting files on any technology resources or taking any steps that block the school district’s access to files, other than the use of school district passwords, or approved encryption programs, unless such conduct is consistent with the school district’s educational and academic policies or otherwise properly approved by the school district.

The school district shall monitor all usage of the Internet on or through technology resources and all other use of the school district’s technology resources, including, without limitation, reviewing a list of any and all sites accessed by any user and all E-mails transmitted and/or received on any technology resources.

PROPRIETARY RIGHTS AND LICENSES

Except as may be specifically agreed otherwise by the school district, any and all software and materials contained on any school district technology resource is solely owned by the school district, except to the extent that any such materials are licensed to the school district by a third party vendor.  Users are forbidden from taking any action that would be in violation of any standard license agreement for any software licensed to the school district and contained on any school district technology resources, including without limitation, making any unauthorized copies of any such software.

QUESTIONS

Any user who has questions regarding this policy should contact the Information Technology Services Department.

Adopted:  April 23, 2008

Ref:    20 USC 7131 (Internet Safety)

La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§17:81, 17:100.7

Board minutes, 4-23-08

Assumption Parish School Board