31. Computer and Device Acceptable Use
31. Computer and Device Acceptable Use
(Refer to BOE Policy ECH, IIBGC, IIBF, JCDA and KBA)
Students shall have no expectation of privacy when using district email, computer systems or electronic devices. E-mail messages shall be used for only approved educational purposes. Students must use appropriate language in all messages. Students are expected to use the system following guidelines approved by teachers or the administration.
Any email or computer application or information stored in district computers, computer systems or electronic devices is subject to monitoring by the staff and/or administration. The district retains the right to duplicate any information created by students in a computer system, on any individual computer or on any electronic device. Students who violate these rules or any other classroom rules relating to computer or electronic device use are subject to disciplinary action up to and including suspension or expulsion from school.
Purpose (IIBF)
The district provides computer network and internet access for its students and employees. This service allows employees and students to share information, learn new concepts, research diverse subjects, and create and maintain school-based websites. The district has adopted the following Guidelines for Acceptable Use to govern the conduct of those who elect to access the computer network or district Internet.
Guidelines for Acceptable Use
Users shall adhere to the following guidelines for acceptable use:
● All use of the Internet will be in support of educational activities.
● Users will report misuse and breaches of network security.
● Users shall not access, delete, copy, modify, nor forge other users’ emails, files, or data.
● Users shall not use other users’ passwords nor disclose their password to others.
● Users shall not pursue unauthorized access, disruptive activities, nor other actions commonly referred to as “hacking,” internally or externally to the district.
● Users shall not disclose confidential information about themselves or others.
● Users shall not utilize unlicensed software.
● Users shall not access or permit access to pornography, obscene depictions, or other materials harmful to minors ● Students shall not disable or attempt to disable Internet filtering software.
● Utilization of the network to disseminate non-school/work-related material is discouraged
Prohibitions
Although the district reserves the right to determine what use of the district network is appropriate, the following actions are specifically prohibited:
● Transferring copyrighted materials to or from any district network without the express consent of the owner of the copyright. ● Use of the network for creation, dissemination, or viewing of defamatory, factually inaccurate, abusive, obscene, profane, sexually oriented, threatening, harassing, cyberbullying, or other material prohibited by law or district policy. ● Dissemination of personnel or student information via the network when such information is protected by law, including the Family and Educational Rights Act or Student Data Privacy Act.
● Utilization of the network as a means for advertising or solicitation.
Monitoring
The school district reserves the right to monitor without prior notice any and all usage of the computer network and district Internet access, including, but not by way of limitation, e-mail transmissions and receptions. Any information gathered during monitoring may be copied, reviewed, and stored. All such information files shall be and remain the property of the school district, and no user shall have any expectation of privacy regarding his/her use of the computer network or the district Internet.
Internet Safety
In compliance with the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) and the Kansas Children's Internet Protection Act, the school district will implement filtering and or blocking software to restrict access to Internet sites containing child pornography, obscene depictions, or other materials harmful to minors. The school district, however, cannot and does not guarantee the effectiveness of filtering software. Any student who connects to such a site must immediately disconnect from the site and notify a teacher. An employee who accidentally connects to such a site must immediately disconnect from the site and notify a supervisor. If a user sees another user is accessing inappropriate sites, he or she should notify a teacher or supervisor immediately. The school district administration reserves the right to prohibit access to any network or Internet it deems inappropriate or harmful. The school district shall instruct students regarding appropriate online behavior.
Penalties for Improper Use
Access to the network and Internet is a privilege, not a right, and inappropriate use will result in the restriction or cancellation of the access. The school district has the right to make the determination of what constitutes inappropriate use and use as an educational tool. Inappropriate use may lead to any disciplinary and/or legal action, up to and including suspension and/or expulsion of district students and suspension and/or termination of employees. Law enforcement shall be notified of inappropriate use which may constitute a violation of Federal or state law, and such use may result in criminal prosecution.
Use of District Computers and Devices/Privacy Rights (IIBG)
District-issued computer systems and electronic devices are for educational and professional use. All information created by staff and students or stored thereon shall be considered District property and shall be subject to unannounced monitoring by District administrators. Unauthorized access to and/or unauthorized use of the District server or security system (including, but not limited to, surveillance footage) is also prohibited. The District retains the right to discipline any student up to and including expulsion and any employee up to and including termination for violation of this policy.
Copyright
Software acquired by students or staff using either District or personal funds and installed on District computers or electronic devices must comply with copyright laws.
Artificial Intelligence -AI (IIBE)
This policy pertains to all artificial intelligence (AI) technologies and platforms accessed or utilized by students within the school district for school-related activities or through school-provided devices and networks. Students using AI tools for educational purposes may only use them as directed by teachers or school staff. AI may enhance, not replace, access to curricular content and learning opportunities. The use of AI should support equitable access to learning while maintaining high expectations for academic integrity. Using AI for non-instructional school activities or submitting AI-generated work as original student work within the school context is strictly prohibited. When using AI technologies is permitted, students are expected to adhere to ethical standards, respecting copyright laws, privacy norms, and the intellectual property rights of others. AI shall not be used to plagiarize, cheat, or commit academic dishonesty. AI-generated work must not be presented as the student's original creation. When AI is used to assist in creating work, it must be cited appropriately, similar to any other reference material. Students are
prohibited from sharing sensitive or personal data without explicit authorization or supervision. Students shall not utilize AI to access or disseminate harmful or inappropriate content. AI must not be used to intentionally harm, harass, bully, or threaten others, including generating false, misleading, or defamatory content about individuals. AI must not be used to violate any laws or school district policies. Any known
or suspected security breach, suspicious activity, or exposure to inappropriate content encountered during AI use must be reported to school authorities immediately. Violations of this policy may result in disciplinary action, including, but not limited to, the restriction of access to AI resources, educational interventions, or other disciplinary measures as deemed appropriate by the school administration.
Installation
The network administrator can verify the compatibility of the software or application with existing software, hardware and applications and prescribe installation and de-installation procedures.
Hardware
Students shall not install unapproved hardware on district computers or make changes to software settings that support district hardware.
Audits
The administration may conduct periodic audits of software and applications installed on district equipment to verify legitimate use.
E-mail Privacy Rights
Employees and/or students shall have no expectation of privacy when using district e-mail or other official communication systems. Any e-mail or computer application or information in district computers, computer systems, or electronic devices is subject to monitoring by the administration.
Privacy Rights
Any email, computer application or information stored or transmitted through District computers, network systems or electronic devices is subject to monitoring by the administration with no expectation of privacy.
Ownership of Employee Computer and Device Materials
Computer materials, devices, software or applications created as part of any assigned District responsibility or classroom activity undertaken on school time shall be the property of the Board.
Lost, Stolen or Damaged Computers and/or Equipment
Students and staff members shall be responsible for reimbursing the District for replacement of or repair to District-issued computers or electronic devices which are lost, stolen or damaged while in the student’s or staff member’s possession.
Staff Online Activities (IIBGC)
Employees are encouraged to use District electronic mail and other District technology resources to promote student learning and communication with parents of students and education-related entities. If those resources are used, they shall be used for purposes directly related to work-related activities. Technology-based materials, activities and communication tools shall be appropriate for and within the range of the knowledge, understanding, age and maturity of students with whom they are used.
District employees including, but not limited to, classroom teachers and extracurricular activity coaches and sponsors, may set up blogs and other social networking accounts using District technological resources and following District policy and guidelines to promote communications with students, parents and the community concerning school-related activities and for the purpose of supplementing classroom instruction. All school or District social media accounts, including Facebook or X (formerly Twitter) must be approved by Community Relations. Direct messaging through social media will not be allowed.
In order for District employees and activity sponsors to utilize a social networking site for instructional, administrative or other work-related communication purposes, they shall comply with the following:
1. They shall request prior permission from the Superintendent or the Superintendent’s designee.
2. If permission is granted, staff members will set up the site following any District guidelines developed by the Superintendent and approved by the Board. If the expenditure of District funds is required to complete the set-up or maintenance of the site, the requesting staff member shall present an itemized summary of such costs to the Superintendent or designee. District approval shall be required prior to the expenditure of District funds for such purpose.
3. Guidelines shall specify whether access to the site must be given to school/District administrators and technology staff.
4. If written parental consent is not otherwise granted through acceptable use policy forms provided by the District, staff shall notify parents of the site and obtain written permission for students to become “friends” of the site prior to the students being granted access. This permission shall be kept on file at the school as determined by the principal.
5. Once the site has been created, the sponsoring staff member is responsible for the following:
a. Monitoring and managing the site to promote safe and acceptable use and compliance with District policies; and
b. Observing confidentiality restrictions concerning release of personally identifiable student information under state and federal law.
Staff members are discouraged from creating personal social networking accounts to which they invite current or future students to be friends. Employees taking such action do so at their own risk. All employees shall be subject to disciplinary action if their conduct relating to use of technology or online resources violates this policy or other applicable Board policy, statutory, or regulatory provisions governing employee conduct or the protection of student record information; or if it impairs the staff member’s job performance or effectiveness in the work setting. District staff shall endeavor to protect the health, safety and emotional well-being of students and confidentiality of student record information both in the school setting and in their online actions. Conduct in violation of this policy including, but not limited to, conduct relating to the use of technology, social networking or online resources, may form the basis for disciplinary action up to and including termination from employment.
Emporia Public Schools has implemented ParentSquare, which includes Remind, as the primary communication platform with our families. This is a school-home communications platform that allows for consistent communication across our District. ParentSquare is a simple and engaging platform that can assist in communication with our families in a variety of ways. The expectation is for all staff including District office, administrators, licensed, and classified to use ParentSquare when communicating with families. Staff may continue to use Google Classroom, their District email, or phone calls from a school district phone for communication. However, the only other communication tool will be ParentSquare.