LaSalle Parish School Board adopted an Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) to govern the use of the district's network and access to the Internet.  These policies form the guidelines for establishing user accounts and outlining their responsibilities.  All administrators and teachers are required to participate in training prior to receiving a network account to facilitate the use of technology resources in the classroom.  Students are encouraged to use the resources under the supervision of the instructor.

 

ACCEPTABLE USE POLICY

 

A.  INTERNET USAGE
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 LaSalle Parish School Board (hereinafter referred to as the "School Board") shall establish appropriate guidelines for exploring and using Internet resources within the school district to enhance learning and teaching activities.  Acceptable use of these resources shall be consistent with the philosophy, goals, and objectives of the School Board.

 

Exploration of the Internet is encouraged but with rights and privileges come responsibility.  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 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.  Parents shall be made aware that the Internet usage is only partially controllable by supervision.

 

B.  USE OF THE INTERNET

Students may use the Internet only if the Internet Usage Contract has been properly signed, filed at the school site, and approved by the School Board personnel and then only in accordance with School Board regulations governing such usage.  School Board personnel and other authorized persons may use the Internet only if the Internet Usage Contract has been properly signed, approved by appropriate personnel and filed at the user's site.

 

Any person using computers or other electronic information resources shall be required to use such equipment and resources in a responsible, legal matter.  The School Board retains the right to monitor all computer usage and files for compliance to all regulations and/or procedures.

 

C.  USE OF INTERNET REGULATIONS

The School Board provides access to the Internet for students, teachers, staff, and administration.  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 School Board believes that appropriate regulations will 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 successful linkage with the Internet.  Accordingly, regulations for participation by anyone on the Internet shall include but not be limited to the following:

 

        1.    Users must demonstrate honesty, integrity, and respect for others at all times.  Appropriate manners and language shall be required.

 

        2.    No individual student shall be permitted to have an e-mail account.  Only teachers and classes as a whole may be permitted to use e-mail.  E-mail is not guaranteed to be private on the Internet.  Therefore, only appropriate teacher or class messages shall be allowed.

 

        3.    No photographs, personal addresses, personal phone numbers, last names, or any other personal information will be permitted in student use of the Internet.

 

        4.    Illegal activities, including copyright or contract violations shall not be permitted.  The Internet may not be used for financial or commercial gain.

 

        5.    Threatening, profane, or abusive messages shall be forbidden.

 

        6.    No activities shall be allowed which may damage equipment or interrupt any networking system.

 

        7.    Any attempt to alter, harm, or destroy the data of another user of the Internet, or any network on the Internet shall be forbidden.

 

        8.    No user is permitted to download, upload, or create a computer virus on the Internet or any networking system.

 

        9.    Resources offered by the Internet and paid for by the School Board may not be willfully wasted.

 

        10.    A user shall not attempt to access any Internet resources or entities not previously authorized by the teacher.

 

        11.    Invading the privacy of another user, or using their account shall not be tolerated.

 

        12.    Posting personal message without the author's consent shall be forbidden.

 

        13.    Sending or posting anonymous messages shall be forbidden.

 

        14.    Perusing, accessing, downloading, uploading, and/or creating obscene or pornographic material, or using profanity in messages shall be forbidden.

 

        15.    Product advertising, political lobbying, or sending messages involving illegal activities shall not be permitted.  Violations shall be reported to the teacher when evidence of such is encountered on the Internet.

 

        16.    Any subscriptions to list servers, bulletin boards, or online services shall be approved by the Superintendent or his designee prior to any such usage.

 

        17.    When a security problem is detected, it shall be reported immediately to the teacher, the school technology coordinator and the principal.  The problem shall not be demonstrated to other users.

 

        18.    Suspension shall automatically result for a user who accesses, sends, receives, or configures electronically any profane or obscene language or pictures.

 

Use of the Internet is a privilege, and any inappropriate use may result in appropriate disciplinary action and loss of privileges to use the Internet.  Loss of privileges shall apply to all students, teachers, staff, and administrators who abuse the privilege of using the Internet.

 

No one shall be permitted to use the Internet unless a completed Internet Usage Contract has been submitted to the Superintendent or designee.

 

D.  COPYRIGHT POLICY

 

It is the policy of the LaSalle Parish School Board to abide by the provisions of the Copyright Law of the United States and the Congressional Guidelines that delineate it.

 

The School Board does not sanction illegal use or duplication of copyrighted materials in any form.  Employees who willfully violate the copyright position of the School Board do so at their own risk and assume all liability and responsibility.  Copying that violates the Copyright Law may not be ordered by a higher authority.

 

The School Board directs that:

 

        1.    Unlawful copies of copyrighted materials may not be produced on School Board-owned equipment or within School Board-owned facilities.

 

       2.    Unlawful copies of copyrighted materials may not be used with School Board-owned equipment or within School Board-owned facilities or at School Board-sponsored functions.

 

        3.    Information about copyright law and guidelines shall be made available to all employees.

 

The School Board delegates to the Superintendent or designee the responsibility for informing employees of the Copyright Policy of the School Board and of provisions of the United States Copyright Law.

 

Since copyright law and its interpretation are under constant revision by the Courts and the Congress, these guidelines will require periodic study and updating.  All staff must comply with any court decision or change in the law that pertains to use of copyrighted materials in the educational setting.