General User Policy

 INGLESIDE INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT

Internet Acceptable Use Policy (AUP)

It is the policy of the Ingleside Independent School District to permit employees and students to have access to district network resources and the Internet. In general, the user’s responsibilities require responsible, decent, ethical, polite, efficient, and legal use of network resources. An Acceptable Use Policy must be signed by the employee or student (and student’s parent or guardian).

Definitions:

1.      Acceptable Use: Internet use must be consistent with the education objectives of the District, and the use must also be consistent with the terms of this agreement.

2.      Prohibited Use: Any use that violates federal or state laws and/or school policy.

Implementation Procedures/Guidelines:

1.      Prohibited Uses: The following uses of the District’s computers, including its network and Internet access are prohibited for:

·          Using an account other than your own and any attempt to gain unauthorized access to accounts on the network. 

·          Attempting to obtain access to restricted sites, servers, files, databases, etc. Attempts to gain unauthorized access to other systems. 

·          Using Internet gaming sites, chat rooms, and instant messaging not specifically assigned by a teacher or administrator. 

·          Using the Internet or network for any illegal activity.  This includes, but is not limited to: copyrighted material, threatening or obscene material, or material protected by trade secrets.  This prohibition includes the violation of any state, local, or federal law.

·          Providing personal addresses, phone numbers, and financial information network communication whether that information belongs to the user or any other individual unless it is related to the core curriculum.

·          Commercial purposes, financial gain, personal business, product advertisement, use for religious or political lobbying (including student body elections).

·          Attempting vandalism defined as any attempt to harm or destroy data of another user, another agency or network that is connected to the Internet. Vandalism includes, but is not limited to, the uploading, downloading, or creation of computer viruses. It also includes attempts to gain unauthorized access to a network that is connected to the Internet.

·          Degrading or disrupting network equipment, software or system performance.

·          Using personal computer equipment (laptops, routers, and hand held devices) without permission from the Technology department. 

·          Invading the privacy of individuals or disclosing confidential information about other individuals. 

·          Posting personal communications without the original author’s consent.

·          Posting anonymous messages.

·          Accessing, downloading, storing or printing files or messages that are profane, obscene or that use language that offends or tends to degrade others.

·          Harassing others and using abusive or obscene language on the network. You may not use the network to harass, annoy, or otherwise offend other people.

·          Using material which may be deemed to violate any district policy or student code of conduct.

·          Downloading music or video files or any other files that are not directly related to a school assignment.

·          Accessing or using services on the Internet that impose fees or charges.

·          Communicating threats of violence.

·          Using the network for plagiarism. Plagiarism is taking ideas or writing from another person and offering them as your word. Credit must always be given to the person who created the information or idea.

2.      Privileges and Discipline: Internet use is a privilege, not a right, and inappropriate use will result in a loss of network privileges, disciplinary action, and/or referral to legal authorities. The system administrators will close an account when necessary. An administrator or faculty member may request the system administrator to deny, revoke, or suspend specific user access and/or user accounts.

3.      Authorized district employees will be responsible for determining what constitutes a violation of this policy. Authorized district employees have the right to intercept or read a user’s email, review any material and to edit or remove any material which they believe may be unlawful, obscene, defamatory, abusive or otherwise objectionable. If the District intends to impose any discipline other than revoking privileges for the remainder of the school year, the user will be afforded appropriate due process.

4.      Privacy Information: Nothing is private on the network. If a user accesses a particular site on the Internet, it is likely that someone knows the connections that the user is making, knows about the computer the user is using and what the user looked at while on the system. Frequently these sites maintain records which can be subpoenaed to identify what the user has been viewing and downloading on the Internet. In addition, the District reserves the right to monitor whatever a user does on the network and to make sure the network functions properly. A user has no expectation of privacy as to his or her communications or the uses made of the Internet.

5.      Network Etiquette: Users are expected to abide by the generally accepted rules of network etiquette. These include but are not limited to the following:

·          Be polite.

·          Do not be abusive in your messages to others.

·          Use appropriate language.

·          Do not swear, use vulgarities or any other language inappropriate in a school setting.

6.      Security: Security is a high priority on computer networks. If a security problem is identified, the user must notify the system administrator immediately. Do not demonstrate the problem to other users. Users may not use the Internet to discuss or disseminate information regarding security problems or how to gain unauthorized access to sites, servers, files, etc.

·          Passwords should not be shared with or disclosed to other users and should be changed frequently.

·          Do not leave a workstation without logging out of the network.

·          You must report any of the following to a building administrator: 

1.     if you receive or obtain information to which you are not entitled;

2.     if you know of any inappropriate use of the network by others; and

3.     if you believe the filtering software is not filtering a site or sites that should be filtered under this agreement.

7.       Disclaimer: The District makes no guarantee of the completeness or accuracy of any information provided on the network. It makes no promise or warranty to maintain or update its network or the information contained or made           available to the public, its employees and students. The District may suspend or discontinue these services at anytime. The user assumes the risk of verifying any materials used or relied on.

·          The District disclaims any express or implied warranty in providing its computer system and any materials, information, graphics, or processes contained therein. It makes no warranty, express or implied, nor assumes any responsibility regarding the use of its network or its contents for its accuracy, completeness, currency, its use of any general or particular purpose, or that such items or use of such items would not violate or infringe on the rights of others. Access to its network is provided on a strictly “as is basis”. 

·          The District’s network resources may contain hypertext or other links to Internet or computer sites not owned or controlled by the District that may be of interest. The District cannot supervise or control the content of these other sites. Any information, endorsements of products or services, materials or personal opinions appearing on such external sites are not controlled, sponsored or approved by the District.

·          The District specifically disavows legal responsibility for what a user may find on another site, or for personal opinions of individuals posted on any site, whether or not operated by the District.

·          A user assumes the risk of use or reliance on any information obtained through the network.

·          The District will not be responsible for any damages a user suffers while on the system, including loss of data resulting from delays, non-deliveries, mis-deliveries or service interruptions caused by negligence, errors or omissions.

8.     Ingleside Independent School District’s Guidelines for Access and/or Accounts 

All users must read and agree to follow all guidelines outlined in the AUP. This agreement is formalized through the user's signature on the application. Users may be granted an account for their term of employment.