7540 - TECHNOLOGY

Greenwood Community School Corporation

Bylaws & Policies

7540 - TECHNOLOGY

Although students' use of Corporation Technology Resources (see definition in Bylaw 0100) is required to participate in and benefit from certain aspects of the Corporation’s curriculum, unsupervised use of Technology Resources may be limited or denied if such use is not under the direct supervision of school staff.

The School Board is committed to the effective use of technology to both enhance the quality of student learning and the efficiency of School Corporation operations.

Students’ use of Corporation Technology Resources (see definition in Bylaw 0100) is a privilege, not a right. As a prerequisite, students and their parents must sign and submit a Student Network and Internet Acceptable Use and Safety form annually.

The Superintendent shall develop and implement a written Corporation Technology Plan (CTP). One of the primary purposes of the CTP is to evaluate new and emerging technologies and how they will play a role in student achievement and success and/or efficient and effective Corporation operations.

The CTP shall state the procedures for the proper acquisition of technology. The CTP also shall provide guidance to staff and students about making safe, appropriate and ethical use of Corporation Technology Resources, as well as inform both staff and students about disciplinary actions that will be taken if its Technology Resources are abused in any way or used in an inappropriate, illegal, or unethical manner.

This policy, along with the Student and Staff Technology Acceptable Use and Safety policies and the Student Code of Conduct, further govern students’ and staff members’ use of their personal communication devices. Users have no right or expectation of privacy when using Corporation Technology Resources (including but not limited to privacy in the content of their personal files, e-mails and records of their online activity when using the Corporation’s computer network and/or Internet connection).

Further safeguards shall be established so that the Board's investment in both hardware and software achieves the benefits of technology and inhibits negative side effects. Accordingly, students shall be educated about appropriate online behavior including, but not limited to: using social media to interact with others online; interacting with other individuals in chat rooms or on blogs; and, recognizing what constitutes cyberbullying, understanding cyberbullying is a violation of Board policy, and learning appropriate responses if they experience cyberbullying.

For purposes of this policy, social media is defined as Internet-based applications that facilitate communication (e.g., interactive/two-way conversation/dialogue) and networking between individuals or groups. Social media is "essentially a category of online media where people are talking, participating, sharing, networking, and bookmarking online. Most social media services encourage discussion, feedback, voting, comments, and sharing of information from all interested parties." [Quote from Ron Jones of Search Engine Watch] Social media provides a way for people to stay "connected or linked to other sites, resources, and people." Examples include Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, webmail, text messaging, chat, blogs, and instant messaging (IM). Social media does not include sending or receiving e-mail through the use of Corporation-issued e-mail accounts.

Staff may use social media for business-related purposes. Authorized staff may use Corporation Technology Resources to access and use social media to increase awareness of Corporation programs and activities, as well as to promote achievements of staff and students, provided the Superintendent approves, in advance, such access and use. Use of social media for business-related purposes is subject to Indiana's public records laws and staff members are responsible for archiving their social media and complying with the Corporation's record retention schedule.

Instructional staff and their students may use Corporation Technology Resources to access and use social media for educational purposes, provided the principal approves, in advance, such access and use.

Students shall comply with Policy 7540.03 and Policy 5136 when using Corporation Technology Resources to access and/or use social media. Similarly, staff shall comply with Policy 7540.04 and Policy 7530.02 when using Corporation Technology Resources to access and/or use social media.

Revised 5/15/18