FILE: IFBGA

Cf: EFA

The Livingston Parish School Board believes it is necessary for all persons to become aware of acceptable use of computers. Any person using computers or other electronic information resources shall be required to use such equipment and resources in a responsible, legal manner. The School Board retains the right to monitor all computer usage and files for compliance to all regulations and/or procedures.

USE OF THE INTERNET

The Internet is a vast global computer network that provides access to major universities around the world, governmental agencies, other school systems, and commercial providers of data banks. The School Board shall establish appropriate guidelines for exploring and using Internet resources within the school district to enhance learning and teaching activities. The Board shall incorporate the use of computer-related technology or the use of Internet service provider technology designed to block access or exposure to any harmful materials or information, such as sites that contain obscene, pornographic, pervasively vulgar, excessively violent, or sexually harassing information or material. Sites which contain information on the manufacturing of bombs or other incendiary devices shall also be prohibited.

It shall be the policy of the Livingston Parish School Board that any use of the Internet that adversely affects its operation in pursuit of teaching and learning or jeopardizes its use or performance for other community members is prohibited and may result in loss of Internet privileges, suspension of the student, or other appropriate disciplinary action. The School Board does not condone the use of the Internet for any illegal or inappropriate activities and shall not be responsible for any such use by staff or students.

Students may use the Internet only if under the direct supervision of a teacher or other professional designated by the teacher.

USE OF INTERNET REGULATIONS

The School Board provides access to the Internet to students, teachers, staff and administrators. The Internet is a very exciting educational tool which can greatly benefit schools. Research, collaborative learning, and exchange of educational ideas and information are regularly pursued on the Internet. The Board believes that there are appropriate regulations to maximize effective educational use of the Internet and minimize abuse of the opportunity being provided to our schools. Ethical, efficient and legal use of any network is the key to a successful linkage with the Internet. Accordingly, regulations for participation by anyone on the Internet shall include but not be limited to the following:

1) Acceptable Use/Unacceptable Use

a. Use must be in support of education and research consistent with district policy

b. Use must be consistent with the rules appropriate to any network being used/accessed

c. Unauthorized use of copyrighted material is prohibited

d. Threatening or obscene material is prohibited

e. Distribution of material protected by trade secret is prohibited

f. Use for commercial activities is not acceptable

i. Product advertisement or political lobbying is prohibited

2) Privileges

a. Access to the Internet is not a right, but a privilege

b. Unacceptable usage may result in cancellation of privilege

3) Netiquette

a. Be polite

b. Do not use vulgar or obscene language

c. Never reveal personal (home) addresses or phone numbers (or those of others)

d. Electronic mail is not private

e. Do not intentionally disrupt the network or other users

f. Abide by generally accepted rules of network etiquette

4) Security

a. If a security problem is discovered, the user shall notify a system administrator immediately

b. A security problem shall not be shared with other users

c. Attempts to log on as another user shall result in cancellation of privileges

d. Any user identified as a security risk or having a history of problems with other computer systems, may be denied access

5) Vandalism/Harassment

a. Vandalism and/or harassment shall result in the cancellation of the offending user's privilege

b. Vandalism is defined as any malicious attempt to harm or destroy data of another user, the Internet or other networks. This includes, but is not limited to, creating and/or uploading computer viruses.

Harassment is defined as the persistent annoyance of another user or the interference in another user's work. This includes, but is not limited to, the sending of unwanted mail such as chain letters.

6) Penalties

a. Any user violating these provisions, applicable state and federal laws, and district rules shall be subject to loss of network privileges and any other system disciplinary options, including criminal prosecution.

The Livingston Parish School Board makes no warranties of any kind, whether expressed or implied for the service it is providing. The Livingston Parish School Board shall not be responsible for any damages a user may suffer, including loss of data. The Livingston Parish School Board shall not be responsible for the accuracy or quality of information obtained through any school system Internet connection.

All regulations are applicable to all users of the network. Each computer user in the Livingston Parish School District shall be required to sign an Acceptable Use of the Internet Agreement, which shall acknowledge that the user understands and agrees to abide by all provisions governing the use of computers and access and use of the Internet in the Livingston Parish Schools. These provisions reflect an agreement of the parties and shall be governed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of Louisiana and the United States of America.

The School Board may suspend or terminate any student's privilege to use the Internet at any time solely at the School Board's discretion. The policy of the School Board defining use of the Internet serves as guideline but does not warrant or guarantee access to or use of the Internet. Consequently, the School Board may, at any time and in its sole discretion, end the privilege of any individual student or of all students to use the Internet without notice, cause, or reason.

Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §17:81, 17:100.7.