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BOARD POLICY
Rescinds Policy: n/a
Descriptor Code: IFBG
Descriptor Term: Appropriate Use of
Fayette County Schools Electronic Network Resources
Adopted June 17, 2002
The
Fayette County School System believes that the use of technology for the
purpose of information acquisition, retrieval, manipulation, distribution,
and storage is an important part of preparing students to live in the 21st
century. The Board further believes that a technology rich classroom can
significantly enhance both the teaching and learning process. This
technology includes computer hardware, software, local and wide area
networks, and Internet access. Due to the complex nature of these systems
and the magnitude of information available via the Internet, the Fayette
County Board of Education believes guidelines regarding acceptable use are
warranted in order to serve the educational needs of students.
With respect to any computers belonging to the school and having access
to the Internet, it shall be the policy of the Fayette County Board of Education
that the school system shall have in continuous operation:
1. a
qualifying technology protection measure, as that term is defined in Section
1703(b)(1) of the Children's Internet Protection Act of 2000; and
2. procedures
or guidelines developed by the superintendent, administrators, and/or other
appropriate personnel which provide for monitoring the online activities
of users and the use of the chosen technology protection measure to protect
against access through such computers to visual depictions that are (i)
obscene, (ii) child pornography, or (iii) harmful to minors, as those terms
are defined in Section 1703(b)(1), and (2) of the Children's Internet Protection
Act of 2000. Such procedures or guidelines shall be designed to:
a. provide
for monitoring the online activities of users to prevent, to the extent
practicable, access by minors to inappropriate matter on the Internet and
the World Wide Web;
b. promote
the safety and security of minors when using electronic mail, chat rooms,
and other forms of direct electronic communications;
c. prevent
unauthorized access, including so-called "hacking", and other unauthorized
activities by minors,
d.
prevent the unauthorized disclosure, use, and dissemination of personal
indentification information regarding minors online, and
e. restrict
minors' access to materials "harmful to minors" as that term is defined
in Section 1703(b)(2) of the Children's Internet Protection Act of 2000.
The
technology resources are provided for educational purposes that promote
and are consistent with the instructional goals of the Fayette County School
System. Use of computers and network resources outside the scope of this
educational purpose is strictly prohibited. Students and employees accessing
network services or any school computer shall comply with the district's
acceptable use guidelines. The district reserves the right to monitor, access,
and disclose the contents of any user's files, activities, or communications.
It
must also be understood that the Internet is a global, fluid community,
which remains largely unregulated. While it is an extremely valuable tool
for educational research, there are sections that are not commensurate with
community, school, or family standards. It is the belief of the Board that
the Internet's advantages far outweigh its disadvantages. The Fayette County
Board of Education will, through its administrative staff, provide an Internet
screen system which blocks access to a large percentage of inappropriate
sites. It should not be assumed, however, that users are completely prevented
from accessing inappropriate communications or from sending or receiving
objectionable communications.
Additionally,
access to the Internet and computer resources is a privilege, not a right.
Therefore, users violating the Fayette County Board of Education's acceptable
use policy shall be subject to revocation of these privileges and disciplinary
action.
LEGAL
REF.: Children's Internet Protection Act of 2000, Section 1703 (b)(1)(2)
Adopted:
June 17, 2002
Board of Education of Fayette County |
