5800.1: Compliance with Applicable Law and Use of District Computers

I. Compliance With License Agreements. 

The District will comply with license agreements and/or policy statements contained in software packages used by the District. Questions about compliance with license agreements or use of a software package will be resolved through direct negotiation and mutual agreement with the software publisher, copyright holder, and/or licensor.

II. Computer Use Rules. 

In an effort to prevent violation of copyright laws and illegal software use, the following rules will apply:

A. The legal and ethical implications of software use will be taught to personnel and students at all levels where there is software use. 

B. The building principal, principal's designee, or appropriate supervisor or teacher will be responsible for informing District students of the District Computer and Software Policy and Rules.

C. When permission is obtained from a copyright holder to use software on a disk-sharing system, reasonable efforts will be made to prevent unauthorized copying. 

D. Under no circumstances will illegal copies of copyrighted software be made or used on District equipment.

E. The Executive Director of Technology or designee is authorized to sign software license agreements for District schools. Each school using licensed software shall keep a file containing a signed copy of software agreements.

F. The school principal or principal's designee will be responsible for establishing practices which will enforce the District Computer and Software Policy and Rule.

G. The following uses of District computers will be strictly prohibited:

1. Offensive Messages. The use, display or transmission of sexually explicit images, messages, or cartoons; ethnic slurs or racial epithets; or acts of terrorism, assault, or threats.

2. Personal, Commercial, and/or Religious Messages. Use for the purpose of solicitation or proselytization for commercial, religious, political, personal or any other non-student- related activity.

3. Computer Hackers. Any unauthorized use by students of District computers, including improper access of any District computer, which violates federal or state law.

4. Inappropriate Use of E-mail and/or Internet. The use of the District’s network, internet, and e-mail system, for purposes other than designated coursework, or for the downloading, viewing, or printing of internet material inappropriately dealing with drugs and/or alcohol or dealing with dangerous materials (that could be used in the manufacture of bombs and explosive devices) or weapons.

5. Chat Rooms on the Internet. Unless called for by the curriculum and regulated by District staff, students are not to use “chat rooms”, “social networking sites” or “blogs” on the internet. 

III. Review by District. 

District computers, programs, software, and networks are for educational use only, and any information carried or contained on District computers is subject to review by the District. If a student uses a non-District computer in a manner which provides access to or affects networks or information contained or stored in a District computer, this Rule shall be deemed to be violated.

IV. Prohibited Access. 

If a student or a student's parent has a District internet account, a non-District internet account, or any other account or program which would enable direct or indirect access to a District computer, any access thereto in violation of this Rule or any other District Rule may result in student discipline. If a student uses a computer to gain prohibited access to an account or accounts that the District has through a lease, rental agreement, or other contract with a third party including, but not limited to, the District's educational service unit, such student will be subject to student discipline under District Rule.

V. Violations. 

Violation of any part of this Rule may result in disciplinary action. In the case of computer hackers, this may include the notification of the appropriate federal or state law enforcement agency. 

VI. Reservation of Rights. 

The District reserves all rights it has under the fair use doctrine of the Copyright Acts.

VII. Definitions.

A. Computer Hacker. Computer hacker shall mean a computer user who attempts to gain unauthorized access to proprietary computer systems. 

B. Indirect Access to a District Computer. Indirect access to a District computer shall mean using a non-District computer in a manner which results in the user gaining access to a District computer, including access to any and all information, records, or other material contained or stored in a District computer.