GCSA-R - EMPLOYEE COMPUTER AND INTERNET USE RULES

As used herein, the term "Computer(s)" refers to any desktop, laptop, or other mobile computing device, including cellular phone, owned or issued by the Cape Elizabeth School Department (CESD) to any employee for school and/or home use. The term "Privately-Owned Computer(s)" refers to any privately-owned desktop, laptop, or other mobile computing device, including cellular phones. The term "Computer Services" refers to the School Department's network or Internet connections used to access school or Internet-based information.

The policy and accompanying rules apply to the use of computers and computer services whether in use at school or off school premises. Staff are allowed to privately-owned computers at school, provided that they comply with the policy and related rules and policies.

Each employee is responsible for their actions and activities involving computers and computer services, and for their computer files, passwords, and accounts. These rules provide general guidance concerning the use of computers and computer services 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 or the Technology Coordinator. These rules apply to all computer and/or school computer services regardless of how they are accessed.

1. Access to School Computers and Acceptable Use
   The level of employee access to school computers and computer services is based upon specific job requirements and needs. Unauthorized access to secure areas of the school's computers and computer services is strictly prohibited.
   All Board policies, school rules, and expectations for professional conduct and communications apply when employees are using computers and computer services whether in use at school or off school premises.

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

   1. 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, etc. The school district 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, harmful to minors, or intended to appeal to prurient interests.
   3. Any communications with students or minors for non-school-related purposes.
   4. Any use for private financial, commercial, advertising, or solicitation purposes.
   5. Any use as a forum for communication with 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. Employees who are uncertain as to whether particular activities are acceptable should seek further guidance from the building administrator or other appropriate administrator.
   6. Any communication that represents an employee's personal views as those of the school district or that could be misinterpreted as such.
   7. Sending mass emails to school users or outside parties for any purpose without the permission of the Technology Coordinator or district administrator, except that the school district may, at its sole discretion, provide a forum for exchanging information that could be beneficial to its employees (e.g., Buy/Sell/Exchange, Google group/email).
   8. Any malicious use or disruption of the school district's computers, network and Internet services; any breaches 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).
   9. Any attempt to delete, erase, or otherwise conceal any information stored on a school computer and school computer services that violates these rules or other Board policies or school rules, or refusing to return computer equipment issued to the employee upon request.
   10. Any attempt to access unauthorized web sites or any attempt to disable or circumvent the school district's filtering/blocking technology.

3. Disclosure of Confidential Information Employees are expected to use appropriate judgement and caution in communications concerning students and staff to ensure that personal identifiable information remains confidential. Use of e-mail for sharing confidential information must comply with FERPA.

4. Employee Volunteer Responsibility to Supervise Student Computer Use Employees and volunteers who use school computers with students for instructional purposes have a duty to supervise such use and to enforce the school district's policies and rules concerning student computer use. 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 administrator consistent with the educational mission and curriculum and instructional goals.

5. Compensation for Losses, Costs, and/or Damage
   An employee is responsible for compensating the school district for any losses, costs or damages incurred by the school district for violations of Board policies and school rules while the employee is using school district computers and school computer services, including the cost of investigating such violations. The school district assumes no responsibility for any unauthorized charges or costs incurred by an employee while using school district computers and school computer services. CESD will be responsible for accidental damage to employee computers that occur through normal use of their job functions.

6. Additional Rules for Use of Privately-Owned Computers by Employees

   1. Employees are permitted to use privately-owned computers in school provided that they comply with the policy and rules governing computer and Internet use, there is a suitable educational basis for the request, and the demands on the school district's network or staff are reasonable. In addition, if requested, the employee must provide to the Technology Coordinator such information as IP addresses and login passwords to enable enforcement of all policies and rules regarding use of computer services.
   2. The technology staff has the authority to determine whether use of an employee's privately-owned computer would place an undue burden on or could interfere with the computer services.
   3. The employee is responsible for proper care of their privately-owned computer including any costs of repair, replacement, or any modifications needed to use the computer at school.
   4. The school district is not responsible for damage, loss, or theft of any privately-owned computer.
   5. Employees have no expectation of privacy in their use of computer services while using a privately-owned computer at school.
   6. Employees are required to comply with all Board policies/procedures and school rules while using school computer services on privately-owned computers at school or elsewhere.
   7. Violation of any Board policies, administrative procedures, or school rules involving an employee's use of computer services or a privately-owned computer may result in the revocation of the privilege of using the computer at school and/or disciplinary action.
   8. The school district may seize any privately-owned computer used by an employee in school without authorization as required by these rules and the contents of the computer may be searched in accordance with applicable laws and policies. The computer will be returned to the owner when it is no longer needed for investigatory or evidentiary purposes.

CESD may utilize all information provided in Fl above to review, monitor, and/or have access to an employee's private computer at any time, without prior notice, to determine if an employee is using the school computer services on an employee's privately-owned computer in compliance with all applicable policies and rules of the school.

1. Violations
   A violation by the employee of the school's policies and rules or use of school computer services shall subject the employee to such disciplinary action as the Superintendent believes is appropriate including, but not limited to, loss of use of school computers and/or school computer services.

Cross Reference:

• GCSA - Employee Computer and Internet Use
• GBEBB - Staff Conduct with Students
• JRA - Student Education Records and Information

Adopted:

• January 10, 2006

Revised:

• February 8, 2011
• January 14, 2014

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