Procedure – Electronic Resources and Internet Safety

Acceptable Use Guidelines/Internet Safety Requirements

These procedures are written to support the Electronic Resources and Internet Safety Policy of the board of  directors and to promote positive and effective digital citizenship among students and staff. Digital  citizenship includes the norms of appropriate, responsible, and healthy behavior related to current  technology use. 

Successful, technologically-fluent digital citizens recognize and value the rights, responsibilities, and  opportunities of living, learning, and working in an interconnected digital world. They recognize that  information posted on the Internet can have a long-term impact on an individual’s life and career. They  cultivate and manage their digital identity and reputation, and are aware of the permanence of their actions  in the digital world. Expectations for student and staff behavior online are no different from face-to-face  interactions.

Use of Personal Electronic Devices

Students and staff are furnished technology equipment by the district, based on their role and the  appropriate level of access to these tools. In general, these are the extent to which technology equipment  should be used for district-related school/work. School staff will retain the authority to decide when and how  students may use personal electronic devices on school grounds and during the school day per policy 3245 –  Students and Telecommunications Devices. Staff use of personal devices on the district network is limited as  follows:

  • Staff are restricted from accessing district resources such as district printers, network folders, and district-hosted servers on their personal devices. Other uses, such as access to the district’s internet  connection from personal devices is subject to available resources and may be limited.
  • Staff will use district-issued devices, not personal devices for accessing district and student data.
  • Personal electronic devices will be connected to the district network only by Wi-Fi, not by cable. All personal electronic devices must have up-to-date virus prevention software and current operating  systems patches. Browsers must also be updated to the most current version.

Network

The district network includes wired and wireless devices and peripheral equipment, files and storage, e-mail,  and Internet content (blogs, websites, collaboration software, social networking sites, wikis, etc.). The  district reserves the right to prioritize the use of, and access to, the network.

All use of the network, as well as any materials stored, transmitted, or published on the system, must be in  conformity to state and federal law-including FERPA and CIPA, network provider policies and district policy. All use of the network must support education and research and be consistent with the mission of the  district. 

From time to time, the district may determine whether specific uses of the network are consistent with the  regulations stated in this procedure. Under prescribed circumstances, non-student or staff use may be  permitted, provided such individuals demonstrate that their use furthers the purpose and goals of the  district. 

For security and administrative purposes, the district reserves the right for authorized personnel to review  system use and file content including, without limitation, the contents of district-provided personal and  shared file storage, web browsing history on a district device and/or the district network, and district email.  Email is archived as per Public Disclosure Laws.

Acceptable network use by district students and staff include:

  1. Creation of files, digital projects, videos, webpages, and podcasts using network resources in support of education and research;
  2. Participation in blogs, wikis, bulletin boards, social networking sites and groups as permitted under district filtering limitations, and the creation of content for podcasts, e-mail, and webpages that support education and research;
  3. With parental permission, the online publication of original educational material, curriculum-related materials, and student work. Sources outside the classroom or school must be cited appropriately;
  4. Staff use of the network for incidental personal use in accordance with all district policies and procedures; or
  5. Connection of personal electronic devices (wired or wireless), when authorized, including portable devices with network capabilities, to the district network after checking with the Director of Technology to confirm that the device is equipped with up-to-date virus software, compatible  network card, and is configured properly. Connection of any personal electronic device is subject to  all procedures in this document and district policy.

Unacceptable network use by district students and staff includes but is not limited to:

  1. Personal gain, commercial solicitation, and compensation of any kind;
  2. Actions that result in liability or cost incurred by the district;
  3. Downloading, installing and use of games, audio files, video files, games, or other applications (including shareware or freeware) without permission or approval from the Director of Technology;
  4. Support for or opposition to ballot measures, candidates, and any other political activity;
  5. Hacking, cracking, vandalizing, the introduction of malware, including viruses, worms, Trojan horses, time bombs, and changes to hardware, software, and monitoring tools;
  6. Making use of the electronic resources in a manner that serves to disrupt the operation of the system by others, including modifying, abusing, or destroying system hardware, software, or other components.
  7. Attempting to gain or achieving unauthorized access to other district computers, networks, and information systems;
  8. Action constituting or contributing to harassment, intimidation, or bullying, including cyberbullying, hate mail, defamation, discriminatory jokes, and remarks. This may also include the manufacture, distribution, or possession of inappropriate digital images;
  9. Information posted, sent, or stored online that could endanger others (e.g., bomb construction, drug manufacturing);
  10. Accessing, uploading, downloading, storage and distribution of obscene, pornographic, or sexually explicit material;
  11. Attaching unauthorized devices to the district network. Any such device will be confiscated, and additional disciplinary action may be taken; or
  12. Any unlawful use of the district network, including but not limited to stalking, blackmail, violation of copyright laws, and fraud.

The district will not be responsible for any damages suffered by any user, including but not limited to, loss of  data resulting from delays, non-deliveries, mis-deliveries, or service interruptions caused by his/her own

negligence or any other errors or omissions. The district will not be responsible for unauthorized financial  obligations resulting from the use of, or access to, the district’s computer network or the Internet.

Internet Safety Instruction

Lessons on online safety issues and cyberbullying awareness/response will be provided and updated  regularly. All students will receive a short, age-differentiated lesson on the meaning of the contents of the Acceptable Use Agreement before being asked to sign the agreement. The purpose of obtaining  student signatures is to indicate (1) their understanding of and (2) agreement to the provisions therein. Students will be educated regarding appropriate digital citizenship according to 2023 – Digital Citizenship and Media Literacy. 

Staff will be educated regarding cybersecurity, including the protection of confidential and personally identifiable information.

Personal Information and Inappropriate Content:

  1. Students and staff should not reveal personal information, including a home address and phone number on web sites, blogs, podcasts, videos, social networking sites, wikis, e-mail, or as content on any other electronic medium;
  2. Students and staff should not reveal personal information about another individual on any electronic medium without first obtaining permission;
  3. No student pictures or names can be published on any public class, school, or district website unless the appropriate permission has been obtained according to district policy;
  4. If students encounter dangerous or inappropriate information or messages, they should notify the appropriate school authority;
  5. No user may use, disclose, or disseminate personally identifiable information of a minor without explicit parent/guardian permission.
  6. Staff must follow district data-handling procedures, including 3231 – Student records, when handling any student’s personally identifiable information; and
  7. Students should be aware of the persistence of their digital information, including images and social media activity, which may remain on the Internet indefinitely.

Filtering and Monitoring

Filtering software is used to block or filter access to visual depictions that are obscene and all child  pornography in accordance with the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA). Other objectionable material  could be filtered. The determination of what constitutes “other objectionable” material is a local decision.

  1. Filtering software is not 100 percent effective. While filters make it more difficult for objectionable material to be received or accessed, filters are not a solution in themselves. Every user must take responsibility for his/her use of the network and Internet and avoid objectionable sites;
  2. Any attempts to defeat or bypass the district’s Internet filter or conceal Internet activity are prohibited (e.g., proxies, https, special ports, modifications to district browser settings, and any other techniques designed to evade filtering or enable the publication of inappropriate content);
  3. E-mail inconsistent with the educational and research mission of the district will be considered SPAM and blocked from entering district e-mail boxes;
  4. The district will provide appropriate adult supervision of Internet use. The first line of defense in controlling access by minors to inappropriate material on the Internet is deliberate and consistent monitoring of student access to district devices. ;
  5. Staff members who supervise students, control electronic equipment, or have occasion to observe student use of said equipment online, must make a reasonable effort to monitor the use of this equipment to assure that student use conforms to the mission and goals of the district
  6. Staff must make a reasonable effort to become familiar with the Internet and to monitor, instruct, and assist effectively;
  7. The district may monitor student use of the district network, including when accessed on students’ personal electronic devices and devices provided by the district, such as laptops, netbooks, and tablets; 
  8. The district may block or delete any malicious content detected, and
  9. The district will provide a procedure for staff members to request access to internet websites blocked by the district’s filtering software. The procedure will indicate a timeframe for a designated school official to respond to the request. The requirements of the Children’s Internet Protection Act  (CIPA) will be considered in evaluation of the request. The district will provide an appeal process for  requests that are denied.

Internet Safety Instruction

All students will be educated about appropriate online behavior, including interacting with other individuals on social networking websites and in chat rooms, and cyberbullying awareness and response:

A. All students will receive a short, age-differentiated lesson on the meaning of the contents of the Acceptable Use Agreement before being asked to sign the agreement. The purpose of obtaining student signatures is to indicate (1) their understanding of and (2) agreement to the provisions therein. Students will be educated regarding appropriate digital citizenship according to 2023 – Digital Citizenship and Media Literacy.

B. Staff will be educated and trained as appropriate for their roles regarding cybersecurity; and

C. Information about online safety issues will be made available for families.

Copyright

Downloading, copying, duplicating, and distributing software, music, sound files, movies, images, or other  copyrighted materials without the specific written permission of the copyright owner is generally prohibited.  However, the duplication and distribution of materials for educational purposes is permitted when such  duplication and distribution falls within the Fair Use Doctrine of the United States Copyright Law (Title 17,  USC) and content is cited appropriately.

Ownership of Work

All work completed by employees as part of their employment will be considered property of the district. The  District will own any and all rights to such work including any and all derivative works, unless there is a  written agreement to the contrary.

All work completed by students as part of the regular instructional program is owned by the student as soon  as it is created, unless such work is created while the student is acting as an employee of the school system  or unless such work has been paid for under a written agreement with the school system. If under an  agreement with the district, the work will be considered the property of the district. Staff members must  obtain a student’s permission prior to distributing his/her work to parties outside the school.

Network Security

Passwords are the first level of security for a user account. System logins and accounts are to be used only  by the authorized owner of the account for authorized district purposes. No user will share their district  account password. Students and staff are responsible for all activity on their account and will: 

  1. Lock the screen or log off if leaving the computer;
  2. Change passwords according to district policy/rules.
  3. Not use another user’s account;
  4. Keep account passwords confidential and safe, including not inserting passwords into e-mail or other communications;
  5. Not storing passwords in a file without encryption; and
  6. Not using the “remember password” feature of Internet browsers.

Privacy

Student Data is Confidential

District staff must maintain the confidentiality of student data in accordance with the Family Educational  Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).

No Expectation of Privacy

The district provides the network system, e-mail, and Internet access as a tool for education and research in  support of the district’s mission. The district reserves the right to monitor, inspect, copy, review, and store,  without prior notice, information about the content and usage of:

  1. The district network, regardless of how accessed;
  2. User files and disk space utilization;
  3. User applications and bandwidth utilization;
  4. User document files, folders, and electronic communications;
  5. E-mail;
  6. Internet access; and
  7. Any and all information transmitted or received in connection with network, e-mail and AI use.

No student or staff user should have any expectation of privacy when using the district’s network. The  district reserves the right to disclose any electronic messages to law enforcement officials or third parties as  appropriate. All documents are subject to the public records disclosure laws of the State of Washington.

Hardware, Educational Applications, and Programs

Hardware, and all applications, including software, and operating systems must be approved for use prior to  purchase and installation according to current technology purchase procedures. Additionally, hardware and all  applications, software, and operating systems must be:

  1. Currently supported by the manufacturer.
  2. Periodically reviewed to ensure they are still in use, supported by the manufacturer, and patched for vulnerabilities.

The district will remove any hardware, application, software, or operating system that does not meet these  criteria.

Archive and Backup 

Backup is made of all district e-mail correspondence for purposes of public disclosure and disaster recovery.  Barring power outage or intermittent technical issues, staff and student files are backed up on district  servers regularly. Refer to the district retention policy for specific records retention requirements.

Artificial Intelligence

Artificial Intelligence is a rapidly advancing set of technologies for capturing data to detect patterns and  automate decisions. Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become an increasingly important part of our lives, and  it is essential for students to understand when and how to use it effectively and ethically. AI tools can  enhance classroom learning, and their implementation should be guided with proper training, ethical  considerations, and responsible oversight. When utilizing generative AI tools to create or support the  creation of texts or creative works, students are expected to adhere to these guidelines in the student handbook, Board Policy 2023 and any additional guidance provided by their classroom teacher. Training will be provided to both students and staff on responsible AI use.

A. Purpose

The district will seek to maintain staff and student access to generative Artificial Intelligence tools for the  following purposes:

  • Ensuring all students have equitable access to leverage these technologies, regardless of what learning technology devices may be available to them.
  • Providing all students with an opportunity to engage in current technologies in a learning environment, to better prepare them for the world they will live and work in.
  • Extending the benefits of these tools to the workplace, where appropriate, to leverage efficiencies and productivity.

B. Appropriate Use

Student and staff use of generative Artificial Intelligence technologies should be used to support and  extend student learning and workplace productivity. Student and staff use of AI will be in accordance  with the expectations outlined in Policy 2022, this document (2022P), and the student handbook.

C. Inappropriate Use

In addition to those uses that violate this procedure the following are prohibited uses of Artificial  Intelligence:

  • Any use of Artificial Intelligence that does not align with expectations outlined by a classroom instructor or building administrator. It is ultimately the teacher’s responsibility to determine the  appropriate level of use of Artificial Intelligence in each classroom, and for each assignment or 
  • Use of Artificial Intelligence to complete an assignment in a way that represents the assignment as one’s own work.
  • Use of Artificial Intelligence to purposefully create misinformation or to misrepresent others for the purpose of harming or bullying groups or individuals.
  • Use of Artificial Intelligence with anyone’s personally identifiable information.

 Disciplinary Action

All users of the district’s electronic resources are required to comply with the district’s policy and procedures  and agree to abide by the provisions set forth in the district’s user agreement as well as associated  documents such as in the student handbook. Violation of any of the conditions of use explained in any of  these documents could be cause for suspension or revocation of network, computer access, or other  electronic resources privileges. Additionally, violations of these documents could result in disciplinary action,  including suspension from school, termination of employment, and/or civil or criminal actions, as warranted.

Accessibility of Electronic Resources

In compliance with federal and state law, all District-sponsored programs, activities, meetings, and services  will be accessible to individuals with disabilities, including persons with hearing, vision, and/or speech  disabilities. To ensure such, the content and functionality of websites associated with the district should be  accessible. Such websites may include, but are not limited to, the district’s homepage, teacher websites,  district-operated social media pages, and online class lectures.

District staff with authority to create or modify website content or functionality associated with the district  will take reasonable measures to ensure that such content or functionality is accessible to individuals with  disabilities. Any such staff member with questions about how to comply with this requirement should consult with the Director of Public Relations. 

Adoption Date:04.01
Classification: Encouraged
Revised Dates: 04.09; 12.11; 12.17; 11.23; 3/26

Policies and Procedures