DISTRICT NETWORK AND INTERNET ACCESS FOR THE COMMUNITY

The purposes of providing Internet access to members of the community in the school environment is to provide access to new means to gather information, provide research experiences, and to teach responsible use of computers and the Internet. To that end the District reserves the right to limit user access to those sites which are appropriately related to these stated purposes.

All community members' use of the Internet shall be consistent with the District's goal of promoting educational excellence by facilitating educational resource sharing, electronic communication, and improving methods for learning and research. This authorization includes examples of rules about the District's Internet use. It does not attempt to state all that may be required of users, or proscribed behavior. The failure of any user to follow the terms and conditions for community Internet access will result in the loss of those privileges, and may result in disciplinary action. Misuse of computers or the Internet may also result in legal liability of the user.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

1. Acceptable Use - Any person who resides within the District may access the District's Internet access during such hours as established by the District; any such Internet access and use must be for a legitimate purpose, consistent with the educational objectives of the school.
2. Privileges - The use of the District's Internet access is a privilege, not a right, and inappropriate use will result in a cancellation of those privileges. The Board of Education and Administration have the right to make all decisions regarding whether or not someone has violated applicable rules, and may deny, revoke, or suspend access at any time. Such decisions are final.
3. Unacceptable Use - A user is personally responsible for his or her actions and activities involving school computers, electronic mail (E-mail) or the Internet. The Board of Education and Administration may make additional rules at any time regarding use of school computers. Electronic mail (E-mail) or the Internet. Some examples of unacceptable uses of school computers of the Internet are

          f. Using resources such as file space or processor time, including any use that hinders, delays or obstructs others in their use of school computers or the Internet.

        g. Gaining or attempting to gain unauthorized access to any resources, including but not limited to the District's computers, networks, databases, and files, or information contained therein.

        h. Invading the privacy of others.

        i. Using or attempting to use another's E-mail account or password of other identification.

        j. Posting material authored or created by another without his or her consent.

        k. Posting anonymous messages.

        l. Use for commercial or private advertising.

        m. Submitting, posting, publishing or displaying any material which is defamatory, intentionally inaccurate, abusive, obscene, profane, sexually oriented, threatening, racially offensive or harassing, or accessing material which is obscene, profane or sexually oriented.

        n. Use or attempted use while access privileges are suspended or revoked.

        o. Failure to follow security rules.

        p. Incurring telephone charges, long-distance charges, per-minute surcharges, and/or equipment or line costs or other access charges without written permission of the District.

        q. Attempted or actual use, possession or creation of any computer virus or other software, or physical or electronic device intended to or capable of causing damage to any computer, network, or file. Computer and network vandalism is prohibited. Vandalism is defined as any act of a user which intentionally or recklessly causes damage or attempts to cause damage to any person, entity, computer, computer component, file, or network.

        r. Use of computing facilities knowingly to disrupt the work of another student, faculty member, school official or any other person or entity.

        s. Use of computing facilities knowingly to disrupt normal operation of any computing system.

t. Posting of messages or material under a false name, or corrupting or changing any data or material of any other person without consent.

        u. Use of the District's computers or the Internet to engage in any theft or fraud.

        v. These rules may be supplemented at any time at the discretion of the District. Any supplemental rules will immediately be binding upon users.

4. Internet Etiquette - While using the District's computers or the Internet, users are required to abide by the generally accepted rules of appropriate Internet etiquette.

These include, but are not necessarily limited to, the following:

        a. Be polite. Do not become abusive in your messages to others.

        b. Use appropriate language. Don not swear or use vulgarities, or any other inappropriate language.

        c. Do not reveal the identification, password, personal addresses, or telephone numbers of others.

        d. Recognize that electronic mail (E-mail) is not private, People who operate the system have access to all mail. Messages relating to illegal activities may also be reported to law enforcement authorities.

        e. Do not use the network in any way that would disrupt its use by other users.

        f. Consider all communications and information accessible via the network to be private property.

5. No Warranties - The school makes no warranties of any kind, whether expressed or implied, regarding the use of computers, the Internet, or the accuracy, correctness, completeness or reliability of any information, files or software. The school is not responsible for any damages for any of the foregoing, including loss of data, non-deliveries, missed-deliveries, or service interruptions, whether caused by its negligence, user errors or omissions, or other defects. Use of any information obtained via the Internet is at the user's own risk. The District specifically denies any responsibility for the accuracy or quality of information obtained through use of the network, or the Internet.

6. Indemnification - The user, by signing below, in consideration of the District, providing him/her with Internet access agrees to indemnify the District for any losses, costs, or damages, including telephone charges, long-distance charges, per-minute surcharges, and/or equipment or line costs. Ordinary Internet access and use will incur no such charges. Any such charges are the responsibility of the user signing below.

7. Telephone Charges - The School assumes no responsibility for any unauthorized charges or fees, including telephone charges, long-distance charges, per-minute surcharges, and/or equipment or line costs. Ordinary Internet access and use will incur no such charges. Any such charges are the responsibility of the user signing below.

8. Privacy - Electronic communications and downloaded material may be monitored or read by School officials.

9. Authorization Execution - Users need only sign the Authorization for District Internet Access once.

A user's signature is required for District Internet use, and constitutes:

1. Agreement that the user is bound by the rules set forth in this authorization, and any other rules adopted by the school from time to time in respect to District Internet access, and
2. Agreement by the user to be bound by the terms of this authorization and agreement.

I understand and will abide by all rules contained in this Authorization for District Community Members Internet Access, and any other rules of computer, E-mail, or Internet use adopted from time to time. I further understand that should I commit any violation, my access privileges may be revoked, and disciplinary action and/or appropriate legal action may be taken against me.

DATE: ______________________

________________________________________________________________

USER SIGNATURE

Adopted: 5/11/98

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