eChalk Technology Acceptable Use Guidelines

eChalk is an extension of the CHCCS network.  All provisions in CHCCS Policy 3225/4312/7320 Technology Acceptable Use, apply to the use of eChalk.  The use of eChalk requires staff to demonstrate responsibility in the use of this powerful communication and educational tool. 

CHCCS Policy Code: 3225/4312/7320

Technology Acceptable Use

Technological resources, including computers, other electronic devices, programs, networks and the Internet, provide opportunities to enhance instructional methods, appeal to different learning styles, and achieve the educational goals established by the Board.  Through district technology resources, users can observe events as they occur around the world, interact with others on a variety of subjects, and acquire access to current and in-depth information.                    

Use of technological resources should be integrated into the educational program.  Technological resources should be used in teaching the North Carolina Standard Course of Study and in meeting the educational goals of the Board.  Professional personnel will make thoughtful use of technological resources by considering the quality of the content, the skills required to access information, and the ability of students to evaluate the information.  Teachers will help students develop skills to enable them to effectively utilize computers and networks, and to search the Internet responsibly.  Professional personnel should consult Board Policy 3200, Selection of Textbooks and Supplementary Materials, for guidance on criteria for selecting digital instructional materials.  The curriculum committee should provide suggestions for using technology resources in the curriculum guides as provided in Board Policy 3115, Curriculum and Instruction Guides.  Teachers are encouraged to further incorporate the use of technological resources into their lesson plans.

The superintendent shall ensure that school district computers with Internet access comply with federal requirements regarding filtering software and Internet safety policies.   The superintendent shall develop any regulations necessary to meet such requirements and will submit any certifications necessary to meet such requirements.

A.                Requirements for Use of  Technological Resources

Any users of district technological resources, including staff and students, must comply with the requirements for use established in the administrative regulation which further defines or explains acceptable use, responsibilities of the user, limits of use, restricted material, consequences of unacceptable behavior, confidentiality of information, and the inability of the board to guarantee services on the Internet.            

The use of school system technological resources, such as computers and other electronic devices, networks, and the Internet, is a privilege, not a right.  Before using the Internet, all students must be trained about appropriate on-line behavior.  Such training must cover topics such as cyberbullying awareness and response, and interacting with others on social networking websites and in chat rooms.

Anyone who uses school system computers electronic devices, or who accesses the school network or the Internet at an educational site must comply with the requirements listed below. Failure to adhere to these requirements will result in disciplinary action, including revocation of user privileges.  Willful misuses may result in disciplinary action and/or criminal prosecution under applicable state and federal law. 

1.      School system technological resources are provided for school-related purposes only.  Acceptable uses of such technological resources are limited to activities that support learning and teaching.  Use of school system technological resources for commercial gain or profit is prohibited. 

2.      Under no circumstance may software purchased by the school system be copied for personal use.

3.      Students and employees must comply with all applicable board policies, administrative regulations, and school standards and rules in using technological resources.  All applicable laws, including those relating to copyrights and trademarks, confidential information, and public records, apply to technological resource use.  Any use that violates state or federal law is strictly prohibited.

4.      No user of the district’s technological resources, including a person sending or receiving electronic communications, may engage in creating, intentionally accessing, downloading, storing, printing, or transmitting images, graphics (including still or moving pictures), sound files, text files, documents, messages, or other material that is obscene, defamatory, profane, pornographic, harassing, or considered to be harmful to minors.

5.      Users of technological resources may not send electronic communications fraudulently (i.e., by misrepresenting the identity of the sender).

6.      Users must respect the privacy of others.  When using e-mail, chat rooms, blogs, or other forms of electronic communication, students must not reveal personally identifiable, private or confidential information, such as the home address, or telephone number, of themselves, or fellow students.  In addition, school employees must not disclose on the Internet, or on school system websites, or web pages any personally identifiable information concerning students (including names, addresses, or pictures) without the written permission of a parent, or a guardian, or an eligible student, except as otherwise permitted by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) or policy 4700, Student Records.  Users also may not forward or post personal communications without the author’s prior consent.

7.      Users may not intentionally negligently damage computers, computer systems, electronic devices, software, or computer networks.  Users may not knowingly or negligently transmit computer viruses, or self-replicating messages, or deliberately try to degrade or disrupt system performance.  Users must scan any downloaded files for viruses.

8.      Users may not create or introduce games, network communications programs, or any foreign program, or software onto any school system computer, electronic device, or network without the express permission of the technology director or designee. 

9.      Users are prohibited from engaging in unauthorized or unlawful activities, such as “hacking,” or using the computer network to gain or attempt to gain unauthorized or unlawful access to other computers, computer systems, or other users’ accounts. 

10.  Users are prohibited from using another individual’s computer account without prior written permission from the individual.

11.  If a user identifies a security problem on a technological resource, he or she must immediately notify a system administrator.  Users must not demonstrate the problem to other users.  Any user identified as a security risk will be denied access.

12.  Teachers shall make reasonable efforts to supervise a student’s use of the Internet during instructional time. 

13.  Views may be expressed as representing the view of the school system or part of the school system only with prior approval by the superintendent or designee.

B.                 Restricted Material on the Internet

All users are responsible for their actions when using technological resources.  Access to networks is available to individuals willing to act responsibly and courteously.  Use of networked resources in a manner harmful to others will not be tolerated. Use of district technological resources will comply with administrative regulations developed by the superintendent.                       

Supervised access to computers, networks, and the Internet will be granted to all students.  Supervised access is defined as access to these resources when a school district staff member is present with the student.  Supervised access includes all classroom settings

with a staff member present, computer labs with a staff member present, and media centers when a staff member, or trained volunteer is circulating, or otherwise monitoring student use of technology resources.  If parents do not want their student to have access to technological resources while at school, they should request and sign a Declination of Technological Resources form.

There is the possibility that students could obtain access to inappropriate, inaccurate, defamatory, illegal, or offensive materials on the Internet. The board is aware that there is information on the Internet that is not related to the educational program.  The board also is aware that the Internet may provide information and opportunities to communicate on subjects that are not suitable for school-age children and that many parents would find objectionable. However, the Board believes that the educational opportunities provided through use of the Internet far outweigh the possibility that users may encounter inappropriate material.  In addition to taking reasonable precautions, the district will install a filtering program to prevent students from viewing inappropriate material. This measure complies with the Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA). Since no content filtering solution provides 100% protection from inappropriate materials, such as violence, nudity, obscenity, or graphic language which does not serve a legitimate pedagogical purpose, the user is ultimately responsible for his or her activity on the Internet. School officials may disable such filters for an adult who uses a school-owned computer for bona fide research or another lawful educational purpose. School system personnel may not restrict Internet access to ideas, perspectives, or viewpoints if the restriction is motivated solely by disapproval of the ideas involved. 

C.                Privacy

No right of privacy exists in any communication on district technological resources. School network spaces are analogous to desks or lockers and may be inspected when network maintenance becomes necessary, or if users are suspected of abusing access rights, and to ensure compliance with board policy and applicable laws and regulations. School system administrators or individuals designated by the superintendent may review files, monitor all communication, and intercept e-mail messages to maintain system integrity, and to ensure compliance with board policy and applicable laws and regulations.  School system personnel shall monitor on-line activities of individuals who access the Internet via the district network.

D.                Personal Websites

The superintendent may use any means available to request the removal of personal websites, social networking websites, and other forms of online materials and communications that substantially disrupt the school environment, or that utilize school system, or individual school names, logos, or trademarks without permission.

1.      Students

Though school personnel generally do not monitor students’ Internet activity conducted outside the district network, when the student’s on-line behavior has a direct and immediate effect on school safety, or maintaining order and discipline in the schools, the student may be disciplined in accordance with board policy (see the student behavior policies in the 4300 series).

2.      Employees

In accordance with Policy Code 7300 - Staff Responsibilities and Ethics, the board expects all staff members to conduct themselves on and off the job in a manner that not only reflects positively on the school system, but that sets forth a

model worthy of emulation by students.  This expectation includes the use of personal websites, social networking websites, and other forms of online materials and communications. 

All employees must use district provided tools when communicating with students about any school-related matters.  Thus, employees may not use personal email, personal websites, or personal on-line networking profiles to post information in an attempt to communicate with students about school-related matters.

Employees are to maintain an appropriate relationship with students at all times.  Employees are encouraged to block students from viewing personal information on employee personal websites or on-line networking profiles in order to prevent the possibility that students could view materials that are not age-appropriate.  If an employee creates and/or posts inappropriate content on a website or profile and it has a negative impact on the employee’s ability to perform his or her job as it relates to working with students, the employee will be subject to discipline up to and including dismissal.  This section applies to all employees, volunteers, and student teachers working in the school system.

Legal References:  U.S. Const. amend. I; Children’s Internet Protection Act, 47 U.S.C. 254(h)(5); Electronic Communications Privacy Act, 18 U.S.C. 2510-2522; Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, 20 U.S.C. 1232g; 17 U.S.C. 101 et seq.; 20 U.S.C. 6777; G.S. 115C-325(e), -391

Cross References:  Curriculum and Instructional Guides (policy 3115), Technology in the Educational Program (policy 3220), Copyright Compliance (policy 3230/7330), Web Page Development (3227/7322), Student Behavior Policies (all policies in the 4300 series), Public Records – Retention, Release and Disposition (policy 5070/7350), Use of Equipment, Materials and Supplies (policy 6520), Staff Responsibilities and Ethics (policy 7300), Staff Internet Usage (policy 7320).                                    

Adopted: 11/20/97

Revised: 3/23/00

Revised 2/7/02

Revised: 5/6/04

Revised: 7/20/06

Revised:  2/3/11