WUSD Technology Board Approved Policies

Introduction
Whiteriver Unified School District recognizes the profound educational advantages of making information technology assessable to our staff and students. The district will continue to make available the most current hardware and software that are financially available to assist students and staff in developing technological skills. We also recognize the security and privacy risks which are inherent in sharing information electronically. The purpose of these technology procedures and policies is to provide a safe environment for both students and teachers and encourage the integration of technology in our teaching curriculum. Integrating technology is accomplished by providing a variety of information to enhance the curriculum, helping students work effectively with various forms of telecommunication, teaching technology skills essential to modern society, and preparing students to become critical thinkers and problem-solvers.

Technology Access
Access to any Whiteriver Unified School District technology resource is a privilege and not a right. Access is only given to Staff and Students who agree to use these technology resources in a responsible manner and sign an Acceptable Use Policy. All students are also required to have parental permission. The following is a list of general responsibilities of all WUSD technology users:

General WUSD Technology User Responsibilities: (WUSD Acceptable Use Policy)

• Technology users are directly responsible for their behavior while using any district technology resource.
• The use of district technology is for educational purposes only and not for personal business, financial gain, entertainment or private use.
• Technology users must follow all copyright laws, fair use policies, and software licenses.
• Technology users will not share their passwords or use another user’s password.
• Technology users will not write their password on paper and will not leave around their work area and other area hits of what their password could be.
• The minimum length of the password is to be 3 characters longs (letter or numbers or a mix of letters and number). The password never expired. Such relax policy is in place in order to encourage users not to leave their password written anywhere.
• Technology users are required to log off when finished working at a computer or work station.
• Technology users will not download programs or executable files that possibly could contain a virus. The illegal installation of copyrighted software is prohibited.
• Technology users will not attempt to hack into any system, modify and program or trespass into anyone’s folders or files.
• Technology users will not intentionally send or display photos, graphics or words that are sexually explicit or otherwise objectionable.
• Technology users will not use obscene language, hate language, or discriminatory remarks in any electronic communication.
• Technology users will not use electronic communication to harass others or misrepresent themselves or other users. The use of Internet accounts without the permission of authorized owners is prohibited.
• Chat rooms are prohibited unless they are for an educational use and monitored closely. (i.e. gaggle.com)
• Technology users will not vandalize data, disrupt systems, damage equipment, or knowingly spread computer viruses.
• Technology users are responsible for all damages and repair costs- as well as any costs for goods and services purchased via the Internet.
• Technology users will make an effort to conserve paper and toner when printing or copying.
• Technology users will not eat or drink near computers or other electronic equipment.
• Staff Acceptable Use Agreement Form
• Upon acceptance of the Staff Acceptable Use Agreement Form staff members will be able to access the WUSD network and their personal documents through a personal roaming profile accessible from any networked computer within the district.
• Consequences of violation of user agreement: Any staff member found to have violated these policies may be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment depending on the severity and intent of the violation.
• Student Acceptable Use Agreement and Internet Permission Form
• Upon acceptance of the Student Acceptable Use Agreement and Internet Permission Form students will be able to access the WUSD network and their personal documents through a personal roaming profile accessible from any networked computer within the district.

Consequences of violation of student user agreement:

• First Offense: Verbal Reprimand will be given by the school administrator and this will be documented in the student’s file.
• Second Offense: A parental contact will be made by the school administrator and this will be documented in the student’s file.
• Third Offense: The student’s technology privileges will be revoked for a period of time determined by the school administrator.
• When more serious violations of procedure occur the progression of consequences may be accelerated at the school administrator’s discretion.

Technology Training
In order to facilitate the integration of technology in the classroom we will provide practical training to assist teachers in specific areas of need and across the curriculum. Our goal is that every staff member and student will maintain and expand their technology skills.

• Each school will have a technology coordinator who will offer the staff technology courses onsite during the school year. These coordinators will also be available to answer technology questions.
• Staff will be able to attend any technology training scheduled within the district.
• Technology training courses will be applicable towards district continuing education requirements.

Network Security Policy.
The following policies serve to protect the WUSD network from attack and the privacy of your personal information.

• Attached USB Devices (Zip Drives): For reasons of privacy and safety any information which belongs to the school district or information about staff or students (including personal contact information) may not be copied onto a portable USB attached drive for any reason.
• Personal Electronic Devices: Permission to connect any personal electronic device to the computer network must be obtained from the technology department beforehand.
• Connecting a Network Device: Permission to connect a computer, printer or network storage device to the network must be obtained from the technology department.
• CCTV: Staff with access to Close Captioned Television Cameras should not access the cameras at school or from a remote location unless they need to investigate a particular incident (i.e. student behavior issue, staff conduct incident, break-in.)
• Antivirus Software: All school computers have antivirus software installed which is not to be removed or disabled.
• Users are to attempt to the “Internet Security” workshop within the first 6 months of their employment with WUSD.
• Password Security Policy: Because of the roaming profile system, all of your personal documents are available from anywhere in the district, it is extremely important that you protect your password. Each WUSD user will have a username and personal password to insure that all information is kept private.
• Users shall not reveal their passwords to another individual.
• Teachers are required to log off from the network when they complete working at a particular station.
• Any user identified as a security risk or having a history of problems with other computer systems may be denied access to district technology for an appropriate amount of time.

It is advisable to reset your roaming profile password on a regular basis (quarterly). To reset your password:

• Navigate to the Whiteriver Password Management Webpage at http://wusdzis.wusd.us
• Select the appropriate type of user.
• Enter log-in account information to verify your identity and then specify your new password.

Backup and Recovery Procedures: The Whiteriver Unified School District will take steps to ensure the safety and integrity of your personal documents contained in your roaming profile.

Employee Security Responsibilities upon Termination of Employment:

• It is the former employee’s legal responsibility to maintain the confidentiality of all sensitive and personal information as well as network passwords and protocols.
• Any information exclusively belonging to the Whiteriver Unified School District may not be shared or used outside of the school district.
• All technology equipment belonging to the Whiteriver Unified School District must be returned to the Technology Department.
• Upon request, District Email Accounts may be forwarded to a specified address.
• Breach of Security Problems: If you feel you can identify a breach of security in the WUSD network, you must immediately notify your Technology Coordinator or Technology Department. Do not demonstrate the problem for other users.

Internet Guidelines:
Internet Access: Students or Staff who have not signed an acceptable use policy or who have violated the acceptable use policy will not be able to gain access to the Internet through their district log-in.

Internet Filtering: Whiteriver Unified School District will employ a web-filtering solution to prohibit objectionable, obscene, and inappropriate material from being accessed by students. Internet content filtering will be as specified in the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA). District measures designed to restrict minor’s access to material “harmful to minors” includes, but is not limited to, the following internet sites and topics: gambling, violence, hate speech, criminal skills, weapons, chat, and adult/sexually explicit.

Internet Monitoring: Monitoring online activities of minors on the Internet will be accomplished through direct teacher supervision in the classroom or computer lab. In addition, all Internet activity conducted by students and staff will be monitored and recorded by the district technology department.

Internet Downloading:

• Never download files or programs from an unknown or suspicious source.
• The District reserves the right to refuse or restrict any downloads or software for security or file bandwidth reasons.
• WUSD staff may download only software with direct educational use, and must arrange with the Technology Department to have such software properly downloaded and installed.

Whiteriver Unified School District Web Pages: The district’s Network Administrator has responsibility for the storage and maintenance of all web pages on the WUSD webpage. Any teachers of students wishing to create web pages should contact their school Technology Coordinator who will facilitate the process of contacting the Technology Department and uploading the webpages.

Web Content Developed by Students:

• School created web sites can only reside on the district web server.
• Web pages should not contain any confidential information.
• Written permission must be obtained from parent(s) or guardian(s) to allow students to publish any web content. In addition, identifiable pictures or names can only be published with the consent of the parent(s) or guardian(s) of the student so identified.
• The teacher overseeing the creation of student web content will be responsible to make sure all material is appropriate, copyright law is properly followed, and proper releases have been obtained.
• Reporting Inappropriate Internet Content: If you observe any Internet content which you deem “harmful to minors” you must immediately notify your Technology Coordinator or Network Administrator so that they can take the appropriate measures to block this content. Do not bring this content to the attention of other users.

Electronic Communication Guidelines
District Email.

• Avoiding Virus and Malware: The district will attempt to filter spam and email viruses from your account. You will still need to take the following precautions:
• Never open any files or macros attached to an email from an unknown, suspicious, or dubious source. Delete these attachments immediately.
• Avoid opening any attached file from a known source unless you know what is contained in the attached file.
• Do not respond to unsolicited emails.
• District Employees should check email daily. District email is the official means of communicating district and school information.

Privacy Concerns: Electronic mail is not considered private communication. The school district does have access to staff and student email messages. These messages may be monitored for illegal activities. In addition, all email messages are archived for future reference.

Student Email.

• Students will not be allowed to access any email or web mail accounts that are not closely monitored and officially approved for use. (Gaggle email account is acceptable).
• Additional Student Email Guidelines:
  • Do not send obscene, harassing, or offensive material through email or print them on the school printers.
  • Do not give anyone else your email password, or access another person’s email account.
  • Do not include personal information in an email or any other form of electronic communication. You may not publish your personal details or identity to strangers for safety reasons.
  • Do not attempt to meet in person anyone you have met online.

Online Communications: Including, but not limited to Internet Chat rooms, Web Mail, and Social Networking Sites.

• Chat rooms are prohibited unless they are for an educational use and monitored closely. (i.e. gaggle.com)
• Students are prohibited from accessing social networking sites, including, but not limited to Facebook and Myspace.
• Access to all Internet email sites (web mail) will be blocked during regular school hours.

District Telephone.
Capabilities: Your telephone extension number will travel with you wherever you take your telephone unit. It will function correctly when plugged in anywhere within the school district. It is capable of recording voice mail, forwarding your voice mail to your email inbox, forwarding your calls to an outside number, and making conference calls.

Setting up Voice Mail: To set up your voice mail you must first follow the audio directions on the telephone to specify your unique numeric password.

Setting up Email Voice Mail: If you wish to have your voice mail forwarded to your email inbox you can contact your school technology coordinator to have this service set up.

Unacceptable Uses:

• Transmission of obscene, profane or offensive material over the district telephone system is prohibited.
• Use of district telephone system for personal commercial business.
• Unauthorized use of another user’s password or mailbox.
• Solicitation to buy or sell goods or services is prohibited.
• Use of voice mail to promote political views and/or campaigns is prohibited.

Procedures for reporting problems: If you observe electronic communication being used in a way which violates the general technology user responsibilities you should notify your Technology Coordinator or Network Administrator so that they can take the appropriate measures.

Privacy Concerns: No audio communication over the district digital telephone system is recorded or archived for retrieval unless it is purposefully recorded as a voice message.

Hardware Guidelines.
Hardware Acquisition: To ensure that all our resources are used effectively, are compatible with existing equipment and that any necessary peripheral equipment is ordered, all hardware purchases related to technology will be approved by the Technology Department. Any staff considering a stand alone hardware purchase should also involve their administrator in the selection process. Purchases should be approved by the Technology Department.

Teacher Laptops.

• Teachers may be provided with a school laptop which they are to use in their classroom, but which will also be available for use at home.
• Teacher laptops will be checked out using the laptop check-out form on a yearly basis. Each school year, a new form will be issued by the school technology coordinator to insure that the laptop is working properly and any defect is noted.

Equipment Use.
Student Personal Electronic Devices: Includes, but is not limited to mp3 players, cell phones, and laptops. Each school will determine policy as it relates to the particular uses of these devices. However, students are prohibited from connecting any of these devices to the district network.

Computers: This includes but is not limited to: desktop computers, thin client work stations, laptops, and PDA’s. Desktop computers and work stations should be shut down on a daily basis. Tampering with, vandalism to, or unauthorized use of this equipment is prohibited. Using these devices for activities not directly related to the curriculum or mission of the district is prohibited. Violation of this policy will result in disciplinary actions, and violators may be subject to criminal prosecution.

Printers: This includes all stand-alone and networked printers belonging to the district. Users agree to make a reasonable effort to conserve paper and print resources. Use of recycled paper in school printers is prohibited. Personal use is prohibited. Using these devices for activities not directly related to the curriculum or mission of the district is prohibited. Users are prohibited from making copies of copyrighted materials in violation of copyright and fair use laws. Tampering with, vandalism to, or unauthorized use of this equipment is prohibited. Violation of this policy will result in disciplinary actions, and violators may be subject to criminal prosecution.

Peripherals: This includes but is not limited to: video projectors, scanners, and storage devices. Tampering with, vandalism to, or unauthorized use of this equipment is prohibited. Using these devices for activities not directly related to the curriculum or mission of the district is prohibited. Violation of this policy will result in disciplinary actions, and violators may be subject to criminal prosecution.

Copiers: This includes any school owned copying device. Users agree to make a reasonable effort to conserve paper and print resources. Use of recycled paper in school copiers is prohibited. Personal use is prohibited. Using these devices for activities not directly related to the curriculum or mission of the district is prohibited. Users are prohibited from making copies of copyrighted materials in violation of copyright and fair use laws. Tampering with, vandalism to, or unauthorized use of this equipment is prohibited. Violation of this policy will result in disciplinary actions, and violators may be subject to criminal prosecution.

Video Devices: This includes but is not limited to: televisions, VCR’s, DVD’s, digital cameras, and video cameras. Users are prohibited from making copies of copyrighted materials in violation of copyright and fair use laws. Tampering with, vandalism to, or unauthorized use of this equipment is prohibited. Using these devices for activities not directly related to the curriculum or mission of the district is prohibited. Violation of this policy will result in disciplinary actions, and violators may be subject to criminal prosecution.

Audio playback/recording: This includes but is not limited to: cd players, cassette players, radios, and mp3 players. Users are prohibited from making copies of copyrighted materials in violation of copyright and fair use laws. Tampering with, vandalism to, or unauthorized use of this equipment is prohibited. Using these devices for activities not directly related to the curriculum or mission of the district is prohibited. Violation of this policy will result in disciplinary actions, and violators may be subject to criminal prosecution.

Calculators:Calculators that are the property of the school district are not to be tampered with or vandalized in any way. Violations of this rule will result in disciplinary actions.

Fire Alarms: Tampering with, vandalism to, or unauthorized activation of fire alarms is prohibited. Violation of this policy will result in disciplinary actions, and violators may be subject to criminal prosecution.

Records of Technology Inventory: The Whiteriver Unified School District will keep an inventory and tag all district technology equipment. In addition, each school will keep an inventory of technology equipment.

Moving Computer Work Stations: In order to maintain an accurate inventory and the smooth operation of the network, approval will need to be obtained from the school Technology Coordinator before relocating any computer work station to a different location (room).

Disposal of Obsolete Equipment:

• The School Board must approve the action when property is being resold or removed from inventory.
• When a computer or printer is broken, it will be repaired if possible. If it is not repairable it will be taken from the school inventory and used for spare parts.
• Once equipment is removed from inventory it will be used for spare parts, resold, auctioned, or given away at a public meeting on a first-come, first-served basis.

Software Guidelines:

• License Agreements: All legal software license agreements will be followed. Users will assume that any software they did not create is copyrighted unless it is labeled “freeware” or “public domain”. Software will only be loaded on the proper number of machines as specified by the user license agreement. The Network Administrator will be responsible for all network software loaded on machines attached to the Local Area Network and for ensuring site license user numbers are not exceeded.
• Software Acquisition Procedures: Any software that is to be purchased must be approved by the Technology Department prior to purchasing. This is to insure that the software is compatible with existing hardware and will be able to run on the network. Decisions involving single-user software also need to be approved by the Technology Department to insure that they can be installed and run properly.

Copyright Policy:
The Whiteriver Unified School District requires that all current copyright and fair use laws be followed at all times. Teachers will be responsible for educating students on copyright and fair use policy before making assignments requiring the use of Internet or software resources. The owner of an original work in any electronic form must receive credit for his or her creation. If necessary, you will have to request information from the owner of the material.

Privacy Rights:

• Staff and student personal information and documents are private. No Whiteriver Unified School District user may access your documents or communicate this information without your permission. No one is allowed to post another person’s personal information without their consent.
• The school district will not publish a student’s name or identifiable photograph on the Internet without first obtaining permission from that student’s parent or guardian.

District Liability Disclaimer:

• Whiteriver Unified School District does not guarantee the function of any technology services performed, or that the network will be uninterrupted or error-free.
• The District will not be held liable for any illegal information that is downloaded or any illegal electronic activity that takes place. Instead, each individual who uses the WUSD network will be liable for his or her actions. In general, the district is not responsible for:
• Any information that may be lost, damaged, or unavailable because of technical problems.
• The accuracy or appropriateness of any information retrieved through electronic technology.
• Breaches of confidentiality created by users of the WUSD network (in violation of the WUSD technology user policy).
• Defamatory or offensive material accessed or created by WUSD users (in violation of the WUSD technology user policy).
• Changes in Technology Policies and Procedures: Any changes or additions to this policy document will be approved by a District Technology Committee. This committee will have the input of the Technology Department and School Principals before making any recommendations to the Governing Board- the final decision-making authority.

Related Forms:

• Laptop Check-Out Form: Form to be used by School Administrator or Technology Coordinator for annual laptop check-out.
• Request for Permission to use Copyrighted Material: Copy the following form and enter the appropriate information before emailing or mailing the owner of copyrighted material to request permission to use copyrighted material.
• Release to Display Student Work Electronically: By signing this release form, parents will give permission for their child’s work to be published and/or picture to be published on the Internet. We are very concerned with the privacy and safety of our students. Because of this we will honor any and all limitations that you may place on this consent to publish.
• Staff Acceptable Use Form: To be revised.
• Student Acceptable Use/Internet Permission Form: To be revised.