Madison Metropolitan School District
Board of Education Policies and Procedures

POLICY	STAFF POLICY, PROCEDURES, AND RULES FOR USING THE INTERNET AND GROUPWISE E-MAIL	3720

It is the policy of the Board to mandate and expect that staff will use the Internet and GroupWise email in a responsible manner. Accordingly, the Board has established a policy and procedures for the use of the Internet and GroupWise* email along with rules governing staff use. Staff must understand that use of this electronic information resource is a privilege, not a right. Violations of these procedures or rules will result in appropriate disciplinary action up to and including written reprimand, suspension without pay, or possible discharge.

PROCEDURE	STAFF POLICY, PROCEDURES, AND RULES FOR USING THE INTERNET AND GROUPWISE E-MAIL	3720

1. The District provides staff with access to the Internet for the purpose of fulfilling the District's mission of teaching, learning, and public service operations. Uses are to be related to the academic programs or operations of the MMSD.
2. All MMSD e-mail accounts (GroupWise and Internet e-mail) are owned by the MMSD and therefore not private. The District retains the right to review, audit, intercept, access and disclose all messages created, received, or sent over the electronic mail systems as necessary.
3. Remote call-in access to the Internet for staff will be provided to the extent economically feasible. Length of time users may stay connected to call-in services will be limited. Technical assistance to staff in accessing the Internet from home will be limited.
4. Because the District provides Internet access to minors, all District staff must understand the following:
   1. Internet safety and security, including:
      • the importance of understanding what materials are inappropriate to minors
      • safe use of electronic mail, chat rooms and other direct forms of electronic communication including the importance of understanding that one should never provide personal information to a site on the Internet without the supervision of an adult; such personal information includes full name, address, phone number, credit card number, and Social Security number
   2. Responsible use of the Internet, including:
      • abiding by copyright laws
      • understanding that unethical and unlawful activities include unauthorized access to any data or communications equipment without the owner's permission, "hacking," or unauthorized disclosure, use, or dissemination of anyone's personal information
   3. Measures the District has taken to restrict access to materials harmful to minors, including:
      • implementing Internet filtering
      • requiring adult supervision during student use of the Internet

Rules:

1. Staff shall:
   • use computing equipment, software, and network access in a manner consistent with appropriate school district staff and student codes of conduct and applicable statutes of the Wisconsin Criminal Code, and adhere to Board of Education policies
   • be aware of and abide by copyright and licensing laws
   • be aware of and comply with state laws regarding the release of student information; sensitivity to security/safety issues related to publishing names, addresses and pictures on the Internet is critical
   • log off the Internet as soon as finished
2. Staff shall not:
   • interfere with the ability of other users to make effective use of District computing and network resources
   • allow anyone else, including family members, to use individually assigned network or email accounts
   • use any form of obscene, harassing, racist, sexist or abusive language or behavior on-line
   • send messages using someone else's name
   • use the Internet and/or GroupWise email for personal gain or for more than occasional personal use including the sending of personal messages
   • read mail or files without the owner's permission
   • intentionally access Internet sites containing sexually explicit or hate materials

*GroupWise is a trademark of Novell.

6/17/02

Last Updated: Wed Jul 19 14:07:54 2006
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