DeWitt Public Schools
Administrative Guidelines
 

7540 - COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY/NETWORKS

The Superintendent shall be responsible for the management of the District's technology system and for making the arrangements for any networks which may be used to enhance the educational program and/or operations of the District.

S/He shall ensure that the guidelines established for program development (AG 2210 - AG 2252), the selection of materials and equipment (AG 2521), and the District's purchasing guidelines (AG 6320) are followed. In addition, the Superintendent shall make sure that the appropriate agreement Form 7540 F1 or Form 7540 F2 is complete for each staff member and student who will have access to District technology and any networks.

All tentative agreements with networks or technology agencies are to be submitted to the Superintendent for review and approval. Any agreements or contracts that exceed the policy or statutory limits for purchase of goods or services must be presented to the Board for acceptance.

It is essential that staff members and students be provided the following information concerning the use of the Internet. This can be done through written guidelines, professional development seminars, faculty and student meetings, and introductory remarks at the beginning of a course in which the Internet may be used.

 A.Use of the Internet is to be related to one or more courses of study and is not to be used by staff or students for recreational, personal, discriminatory, or unlawful purposes. All student use is to be supervised by a staff member or approved volunteer who has signed the Internet Access Agreement Form 7540 F2.
 B.Staff members and students must have signed parental permission prior to disseminating information about the student such as full name, address, or other identifying data including pictures across the internet.
 C.Because of the vast amount of information that can be retrieved from the world-wide network, teachers need to ensure that students have developed and are using proper research skills when retrieving information. It is inappropriate, costly, and a waste of valuable instructional time for staff and/or students to download large quantities of information that has not been checked ahead of time for accuracy, relevancy, and probable usage. It may be helpful, therefore, for teachers to conduct some controlled exercises with students on how to differentiate between web-sites that are "attractive but superficial or irrelevant" from those that are attractive, substantive, and relevant.
 D.Staff members need to have back-up plans or contingency procedures in place for times when the Internet may not be accessible. Since the Internet is primarily a data-gathering mechanism, alternative sources for needed data should be available so that students can accomplish the purpose of the instruction within the established time period.
 E.Although the Network Access Agreement Form 7540 F1/Form 7540 F2 that both students and staff members must sign prohibits the use of the Internet for unethical purposes or to obtain information that could be considered obscene, pornographic, or unsuitable for children, these terms are generally rather than specifically defined. This creates gray areas and the need for judgement on the part of staff. Prior to accessing or allowing access to information that the staff member is unsure about, s/he should consult with supervisor.
 F.As students and/or staff members complete projects which reflect unusual and creative applications of technology, the projects should be shared with supervisor so that proper publicity can be created as appropriate to the project. It is essential that the Network Access Agreement Form 7540 F1/Form 7540 F2 contain the provision that proprietary rights to a work product using District technology are assigned to the District.
 G.Students shall be advised as to appropriate online behavior, including interacting with other individuals on social networking websites and in chat rooms, as well as cyberbullying awareness and response. Issues such as sending personal information, pictures, text or other material with sexual content (sexting), shall be addressed with students.
 H.Staff shall only use e-mail, texting, instant messaging, social networking, chat rooms or similar types of communications for school related purposes. Such school related purposes must be done on the District's networks and supplied equipment, to assure appropriate contacts. Excessive contact with students without any clear educational purpose is prohibited, unless there is a family or other legitimate relationship justifying the amount and nature of the content.

Revised 2/99
Revised 5/24/10