IFBG-R
INTERNET/NETWORK
ACCEPTABLE USE
ADMINISTRATIVE
REGULATIONS 05/02/02
Revised: 04/13/04
Revisions to be
effective July 1, 2004
Computer network use is governed
by federal and state laws which specify punitive legal actions that can be
taken, as well as terms of imprisonment and/or financial fines that may be
imposed by the courts for conviction of computer related crimes. The State of Georgia has passed laws which
govern the use of computers and related technology. The Georgia Computer Systems Protection Act (portions listed
below) specifically forbids computer misuse and abuse (Section 4. Computer
fraud and abuse).
(a)
Whoever knowingly and willfully, directly or
indirectly, without authorization, accesses, causes to be accessed, or attempts
to access any computer, computer system, computer network, or any part thereof
which, in whole or in part, operates in commerce or is owned by, under contract
to, or in connection with state, county or local government or any branch,
department, or agency thereof, any business, or any entity operating in or
affecting commerce for the purpose of:
(1) Devising or executing any
scheme or artifice to defraud, or
(2) Obtaining
money, property, or services for themselves or another by means of false or fraudulent
pretenses, representations, or promises shall, upon conviction thereof, be
fined a sum of not more than two and one-half times the amount of the fraud or
theft, or imprisoned not more than 15 years, or both.
(b)
Whoever intentionally and without authorization,
directly or indirectly accesses, alters, damages, destroys, or attempts to
destroy any computer, computer system, or computer network, or any computer
software, program or data shall, upon conviction thereof, be fined not more
than $50,000.00 or imprisoned not more than 15 years, or both.
The purpose of school
system-provided Internet access is to facilitate communications in support of
research and education. Students will
be guided toward topics which have been matched to specific learning objectives
rather than being allowed to "surf" the Internet without
direction. The Lincoln County School
System will allow limited access to students using filtering devices. Even with such steps to ensure that Internet
resources are used only for purposes consistent with approved curricula,
students may be able to search for and access materials which have not been
evaluated by staff.
See
next page
IFBG-R cont. p. 2
Families should be aware that
some material accessible via the Internet may contain items that are
inaccurate, defamatory, illegal, or potentially offensive to some people. In addition, it is possible to purchase
certain goods and services via the Internet which could result in unwanted
financial obligations for which a student's parent or guardian would be liable.
Before obtaining Internet and
network access, students must be aware of their responsibilities and of the
guidelines governing the network environment. To remain eligible as users,
students' use must be in support of and consistent with the educational
objectives of the Lincoln County School System. Access is a privilege, not a right.
Students and/or staff files
stored on school-based computers or networks are subject to access and review
by administrators or designated system technicians to maintain system integrity
and insure that users are acting responsibly.
The user (student and/or staff)
is responsible for his/her actions and activities involving computers and
network usage. Examples of prohibited
conduct include but are not limited to the following:
a.
Accessing, sending, creating, or posting materials or
communications that are damaging to another person's reputation, abusive,
obscene, sexually oriented, threatening, demeaning to another person's gender
or race, harassing, or illegal.
b.
Violating any local, state or federal statute.
c.
Vandalizing, damaging, or disabling the property of any
individual or organization.
d.
Using the school's computer hardware or network for
illegal activity such as copying software or violation of copyright laws.
e.
Making copies of software on any school's computer or
computer network.
f.
Copying or downloading copyrighted software.
g.
Violating copyright or otherwise using the intellectual
property of another individual or organization without permission.
h.
Using the network for private financial or commercial
gain.
i.
Loading or using games, public domain, shareware or any
other unauthorized programs on any school's computer or computer network.
j.
Using any software designed to transfer, damage, alter
or destroy data.
k.
Gaining unauthorized access to network resources and or
passwords.
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IFBG-R cont. p. 3
l.
Invading the privacy of other individuals by gaining
unauthorized access to their files or documents.
m.
Using or attempting to use another person’s user name
(User I.D.) or password.
n.
Posting or plagiarizing work created by another person
without their consent.
o.
Posting anonymous messages.
p.
Using the network for commercial or private
advertising.
q.
Forging electronic mail messages.
r.
Attempting to access, alter, delete, or copy the
electronic mail of other system users.
s.
Using the school's computers, network or Internet link
while access privileges are suspended.
t.
Using the school's computers, network or Internet link
in a manner that is inconsistent with teacher's directions and generally
accepted network etiquette.
u.
Attempting to alter the configuration of a computer, a
network of any of the resident software on the computer or network.
v.
Using personal diskettes and personal CDs and/or digital
storage devices that may pose a virus hazard.
w.
Using Windows File Manager, Explorer, or the DOS
prompt.
The use of Lincoln County School
System's computers or networks for violations of items a, b, c, j, k, l, s, and
u are actions that are considered Zero Tolerance and will be disciplined with ten
(10) days suspension and a recommendation for expulsion through a discipline
tribunal hearing.
Staff violations may result in
discipline up to and including dismissal. Fees or others charges may be imposed.
Violations of the other items will result minimally with a first
offense of two weeks of no computer use and second offense of four weeks of no
computer use. Additional disciplinary
action may be taken in keeping with existing procedures and practices regarding
inappropriate behavior.
The Lincoln County School System
believes that the benefits to students provided by access to the Internet far
exceed any disadvantages. Ultimately,
parents and guardians of minors are responsible for setting and conveying the
standard that their children should follow when using media and information
sources. To that end, the Lincoln
County School System supports and respects each family's right to decide
whether or not to permit a child Internet access. Only students who have returned a signed Internet user agreement
including parental permission may request access to the Internet.
See next page
IFBG-R
cont. p. 4
LINCOLN COUNTY SCHOOL SYSTEM
COMPUTER & NETWORK USER AGREEMENT
Name
of User (please print) __________________________
ID
Number___________
School________________Grade________Graduation
Date___________
As
a user of the Lincoln County School System's computer network, I have read and
hereby agree to comply with the Lincoln County Acceptable Use Policy and
Regulations concerning computer use. I
further understand that any violation of the regulations above is unethical and
may constitute a criminal offense. Should I commit any violation, my access
privileges may be revoked, school disciplinary action may be taken and/or
appropriate legal action may be initiated.
And if the actions of a user
cause or contribute to the loss of service, applications, and/or data, school
disciplinary action commensurate with the magnitude of the infraction shall be
administered. In the event that such action causes the need for technical
assistance to restore the service, application or data restitution may be
charged.
User
Signature_______________________________________________________________
User
Home
Address__________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
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IFBG-R cont. p. 5
LINCOLN COUNTY SCHOOL SYSTEM
COMPUTER
& NETWORK PARENT PERMISSION FORM
Students under the age of eighteen (18)
must have the signature of their parent(s)/guardian(s) to have student Internet
Access Privileges.
Parent
or guardian, please sign the following:
As
the parent or legal guardian of the minor student signing above, I have read
and discussed the Lincoln County Internet Acceptable Use Policy and
Regulations. And in doing so, I grant
permission for my son or daughter to access resources provided over the
Internet. I understand that individuals
and families may be held liable for violations. I understand that some materials on the Internet may be
objectionable, but I accept responsibility for my child's appropriate Internet
use. I may withdraw my permission at
any time and any student's access privileges will be cancelled within 24 hours
(working days only). I understand that
the Lincoln County School System may cancel any student's access privileges for
violation of rules and regulations regarding computer use. If the actions of the minor student cause or contribute to the loss of
service, applications, and/or data, school disciplinary action commensurate
with the magnitude of the infraction shall be administered. In the event that
such action causes the need for technical assistance to restore the service,
application or data restitution may be charged.
Student
Name____________________________________
Parent/Guardian
Name ___________________________________
(Please print)
Signature_________________________________________
Date________________
See next page
IFBG-R cont. p. 6
LINCOLN COUNTY SCHOOL SYSTEM
STAFF COMPUTER & NETWORK USER
AGREEMENT
Name
of User (please print) ________________________________
As
a user of the Lincoln County School System's computer network, I have read and
hereby agree to comply with the Lincoln County Acceptable Use Policy and
Regulations concerning computer use. I
further understand that any violation of the regulations above is unethical and
may constitute a criminal offense. Should I commit any violation, my access
privileges may be revoked, school disciplinary action may be taken and/or
appropriate legal action may be initiated.
Staff violations may result
in discipline up to and including
dismissal, and if the actions of a user cause or contribute to the loss of
service, applications, and/or data, school disciplinary action commensurate
with the magnitude of the infraction shall be administered. In the event that
such action causes the need for technical assistance to restore the service,
application or data restitution may be charged.
If a staff member wishes to use the
software that has Work at Home Use Rights, a LCBOE School Agreement
Staff/Faculty Users Acceptance Form must be on file with Technology Department.
User
Signature_______________________________________________________________
Date __________________________