Marion County School Board
Acceptable Use Policy and Guidelines for Network Access

The Marion County School Board (MCSB) believes network access is an exciting opportunity to expand learning for educators, students and parents. The fundamental goal of the network is to provide Marion County students and educators with equal access to the computing resources which serve public education. Schools in the district will have the capacity to connect to the Internet, World Wide Web, electronic mail and each other. With this opportunity comes the responsibility for appropriate use.

GENERAL POLICY & GUIDELINES

It is a general policy that the network will be used in a responsible, efficient, ethical and legal manager in accordance with the mission of the MCSB. Users must acknowledge their understanding and agreement with the Acceptable Use Policy and Guidelines as a condition of receiving access. Failure to adhere to the Policy and Guidelines may result in access privileges being suspended or revoked. In addition, school disciplinary action and/or appropriate legal action may be taken.

NETWORK WARNING

With access to computers and to people all over the world, there will be some material that may not be considered to be of educational value. There may be some material, individual contacts or communication which is not suitable for school-age children. The MCSB supports only those materials which will enhance the research and inquiry of the learner within the context of a school setting.

However, on a global network it is impossible to control all materials, and an industrious user may discover inappropriate information. The MCSB cannot prevent the possibility that some users may access material that is not consistent with the school district's educational mission, goals and policies.

NETWORK RESOURCES

Classroom resources will be expanded enormously by making information and people from all over the world available to students, teachers, and others. It brings instant access to original source material, general information, data, images and computer software. It makes contact with people possible, bringing into the classroom experts from all over the world. Such access spawns individual and group projects, collaboration, curriculum materials and idea sharing. As a hands-on tool, the network can motivate students.

GUIDELINE I

Acceptable uses of the network are activities which support teaching and learning. Users are encouraged to develop uses which meet their individual needs and which take advantage of the network's function: electronic mail, conferences (video or audio), bulletin boards, data bases and access to the Internet.

GUIDELINE II

Unacceptable uses of the network include:

1. Using the network to access materials that are considered inappropriate for educational purposes,
2. Trying in any way to interfere with the computer systems within the Marion County Schools or anywhere, in an effort to obtain private information, have the computer malfunction or destroy data,
3. Violating federal and state law dealing with students' rights to privacy,
4. Using profanity, obscenity or other language which may be offensive to another user,
5. Reposting personal communications without the author's prior consent,
6. Copying commercial software and other copyright protected material in violation of copyright law,
7. Using the network for any illegal activity.

GUIDELINE III

Users must cooperate to conserve resources and to assure equitable access for all. Users are expected to:

1. Observe a self-imposed limit of one hour on-line during a six-hour period except under special circumstances, such as when moderating a conference or uploading or downloading an extensive file,
2. Prepare text files for uploading before logging on,
3. Log off before editing and printing downloaded files.

GUIDELINE IV

Sponsors of classroom accounts are responsible for teaching students proper techniques and standards for preparation, for guiding their access to appropriate sections of the network, and for assuring that students understand that if they misuse the network they will lose their privilege to use the network.

GUIDELINE V

Conference moderators are responsible for monitoring the content and tone of the posted messages and for taking steps to delete offensive material before returning it to its author for revision.

GUIDELINE VI

The person in whose name the account is issued is responsible at all times for its proper use and will not give his/her password to others.

GUIDELINE VII

Users must avoid knowingly or inadvertently spreading computer viruses. They must not upload files from unknown sources. Deliberate attempts to degrade or disrupt system performance will be viewed as criminal activity by state and federal law.

GUIDELINE VIII

Never consider electronic communications to be completely private. Instances of misdirected mail, mail inadvertently forwarded to others and public posting of private correspondence by users have occurred from time to time. The Marion County School Board accepts no responsibility for harm caused directly or indirectly by the use of the network.