4526 - ACCEPTABLE USE - TECHNOLOGY

4000 - INSTRUCTION

Last Updated Date: 03/23/2023

Revisions History: 03/23/2023, 06/04/2015, 06/18/1998

Related Policies & Documents: 0110, 0110.1R,  0115, 0115R, 4325.2, 4526R, 4526E, 4526.4, 5300, 8330, 8630

I. OVERVIEW

The Board of Education (the “Board”) is committed to optimizing student learning and teaching. The Board considers student access to a computer network, including the Internet and the District’s website, to be a powerful and valuable educational and research tool, and encourages the use of computers and computer‑related technology, such as Chromebooks or laptops, in District classrooms for the purpose of advancing and promoting learning and teaching.

The computer network can provide a forum for learning various software applications and through online databases, bulletin boards and electronic mail, can significantly enhance educational experiences and can provide statewide, national and global communication opportunities for staff and students.

1. Student accounts on District-owned devices on the Internet and District computer network are meant to provide students access to information resources for instructional purposes.
2. The Board authorizes student use of personal devices to access the District’s computer network, if the student complies with the provisions of this policy and related regulation.

With increased concern about identity theft, unwarranted invasion of privacy, cybersecurity, and the need to protect personally identifiable information, prior to staff directing students to use any cloud-based educational software/application, staff must receive approval from the computer network coordinator (as appointed by the Superintendent) who will determine if a formal contract is required or if the terms of service are sufficient to address privacy and security requirements.

II.  USERS

A.  All Users

All users of the District’s computer network and the Internet must understand that use of technology entails responsibility. All users (including students, faculty and staff, Board members, visitors or guests) must follow this Acceptable Use – Technology - Policy 4526, and Acceptable Use – Technology – Regulation 4526-R, Acceptable Use Technology – Remote Learning - 4526.4 (when in a remote learning environment). as well as the District’s Code of Conduct - Policy 5300 and its subsections.

The District reserves the right to control access to the Internet, including online activity and access to specific websites, for all users of District owned computers and the District’s computer network. All users of the District’s computer network and equipment will comply with this policy and regulation. Failure for a student to comply with this policy and related regulation may result in counseling, disciplinary action, suspension, revocation of computer access privileges and/or legal action, in accordance with the Code of Conduct. Failure  of a staff member to comply with this policy and related regulation may result in counseling, disciplinary action,  limitations or revocation of computer access privileges and/or legal action.

B.  Students

Some of the information on the Internet may not be appropriate for student use. Therefore, it is essential for each user to recognize their responsibility in having access to vast services, sites, systems and people. In spite of the District’s efforts to establish regulations for the District’s computer network, all concerned must be aware that there may be material or communications on the Internet or other networks that District staff, parents and students would find objectionable and may even be illegal.

The District cannot filter all inappropriate materials and cannot be held responsible for staff and/or students’ access to these materials. The user is ultimately responsible for their actions in accessing Manhasset computer network resources. Just as students learn which social codes and behaviors are acceptable at school, they need to learn the correct procedures and rules for using educational technologies.

1. Use of the District’s computer network by a student acknowledges that student’s acceptance of the District’s Acceptable Use – Technology – Policy - 4526, and Acceptable Use – Technology – Regulation 4526-R. Parents/Guardians of students may decline access for their child to the District’s computer resources by annually providing written notice to the District. by using the Computer Network Opt-Out Form 4526-E.
2. As part of the privilege of access to the District’s computer network, the student, as well as the student’s parent or guardian, relatives, heirs, estates and assigns, release the District and its employees, officers and agents, from any and all claims and liabilities arising out of or resulting from the student’s use, operation or inability to use the District computer network. Furthermore, the student and the student’s parents/guardians agree to indemnify the District and hold the District harmless from and against any and all claims, proceedings, damages, injuries, liabilities, losses, costs, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) relating to any acts taken or not taken by the student or material or information transmitted by the student in connection with any use of the District computer network.
3. All students are advised that any files accumulated in the network storage provided by the District and/or in an email account provided by the District will be deleted after September 1^st of the year of their graduation from the District. Students are encouraged to save offline any files and data they wish to maintain prior to that date.

III.  USE OF PERSONAL ELECTRONIC DEVICES

A.  All Users

The District is not responsible for stolen, lost or damaged personal electronic devices which are brought to school by either students or employees.

There is no expectation of privacy for students or employees. There is NO PRIVACY GUARANTEE for any email, home directories or any use of the District computer network or its data-storage resources. non-District data storage resources or personal electronic storage devices (such as a USB flash drive, memory card or other mobile storage device.) The District reserves the right to access and view any information or material stored via District equipment or used in conjunction with the District computer network or cloud-based services.

The District will have no liability regarding privacy if the District’s network is used for personal purposes or if personal information is stored on the District’s network. Students and staff are expected to periodically review their stored data and delete old and/or obsolete files and data.

Individuals who use personal devices at school must abide by the District’s Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) and its related regulation 4526-R, as well as abide by 8630 – Technology Resources and Data Management Policy.  Failure to comply may result in counseling, disciplinary action, suspension, and/or revocation of computer access privileges and/or legal action.

Certain uses of personal electronic devices may constitute a violation of the law and in those instances the District will cooperate with law enforcement officials as appropriate. Any information saved or shared on the District’s computer network, non-District data storage resources or personal electronic storage devices may be searched and/or disclosed in accordance with law.

B.  Staff

Staff may use their personal electronic devices to access the District’s computer network to carry out job duties, provided that the use of such devices does not interfere with performance of work responsibilities or disrupt school operations.

Maintenance and repair of personal devices is the sole responsibility of the staff member. The District’s IT department will not service or repair any personal device and will not be liable for any damage to such personal device.

C.  Students

While personal electronic devices, including but not limited to cellular or smart phones, smart watches, iPads, and other portable electronic devices, can be a positive means to facilitate communication, non-curricular communication (including, but not limited to, taking pictures, texting, emailing, accessing the internet, using social media) with these electronic devices is prohibited during instructional time as the display and/or use of such devices causes disruption to the educational process.

Student use of their personal electronic devices is limited to before and after school and during lunch and/or an open period.

Unless specifically permitted by a teacher or administrator either in their classroom generally or for a particular exercise, such devices must be turned off and/or stored out of sight during instructional time. Misuse of any personal electronic device will result in its confiscation until the end of the school day as outlined in the Code of Conduct, Policy 5300 and its subsections.

IV.  ELECTRONIC DEVICES AND TESTING

In order to ensure the integrity of testing, and in accordance with New York State guidelines, students are prohibited wearing a smartwatch or using electronic devices in classrooms or other exam locations (i.e., gymnasium, cafeteria) during testing and state assessments unless specific permission has been given in advance.

Test proctors, monitors and school officials will retain the right to collect and hold any prohibited electronic device(s) prior to the start of the test administration and to hold such device(s) for the duration of the test. Admission to the test will be prohibited to any student who has a prohibited electronic device in their possession and does not relinquish it.

A student observed with any prohibited device while taking a state test will be directed to immediately turn the device over to the proctor or monitor. Absent exigent circumstances, the student will be allowed to complete the test. The incident must be reported promptly to the Building Principal. Where a student had a prohibited device in their possession during a test administration, the student’s test will be invalidated and no score may be calculated for that student.

Students with individualized education plans (IEPs), 504 Plans, or documentation from a medical practitioner that specifically requires the use of an electronic device may do so, as specified.

V.  DISTRICT WEBSITE AND DISTRICT-SPONSORED SOCIAL MEDIA

The content of the District's website and social media will be consistent with the goal of serving as an information resource to communicate with the school community regarding the District, its students and staff, and to highlight educational activities and academic and extracurricular accomplishments.

The District reserves the right to respond to any message, post or link to correct outdated, incomplete or inaccurate information. The District reserves the right to remove or block any message, post, or link that is inappropriate, or causes or can reasonably be foreseen to cause a substantial disruption to the school environment.

• All content must be in compliance with District policies, regulations, and state and federal laws.
• Every effort will be taken to ensure and protect the privacy of all involved in our schools, and in accordance with state and federal laws including the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA). Failure to comply with these requirements may result in counseling, disciplinary action, suspension and/or revocation of computer access privileges, and/or legal action.
• Personal home pages or home pages for other individuals or organizations not directly affiliated with the District or links to  non-school sponsored contact information are not permitted. Links to community groups that benefit the school community may be approved by the Superintendent
• District-sponsored social media accounts, which require the prior approval of the District Director of Instructional Technology, should be used by administration, faculty, and staff for posting photos and materials related to academic, co-curricular, and extracurricular activities. Personal social media accounts including, but not limited to, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, are not to be used for posting of District related photos or materials.
• Website management will be accomplished through the collaborative efforts of the District’s webmaster, the District Director of Instructional Technology, Building Principals, department coordinators/directors, teachers and support staff.
• A District faculty/staff member must be designated as the responsible party for the content and maintenance of each particular web page or social media account. This individual is responsible for ensuring that those posting material to the site or account have the necessary technical training and that they fully understand and follow District policies and regulations.
• Information on extracurricular activities and clubs should be posted within the Canvas Learning Management System.
• If an extracurricular activity or club maintains a page on the District’s website, the Advisor for the extracurricular activity or club may create content or modify the existing web page for said activity.
• Individuals must immediately notify the Department Coordinator/Director or Building Principal if they become aware of a security breach or problem.

Under no circumstances will the District be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, special or consequential damages that result from the use of or inability to use the District's website; or that result from mistakes, omissions, interruptions, deletion of files, errors, defects, delays in operation, or transmission, the accuracy or correctness of the date or the information contained therein, or any failure of performance, whether or not limited to acts of God, communications failure, theft, destruction or unauthorized access to the MUFSD website, even if the District has been advised of the possibility thereof.

Policy References

Price v. New York City Board of Education, 16 Misc.3d 543 (2007)