The Board of Education is committed to the effective use of technology to both enhance the quality of student learning and the efficiency of District operations. Students’ use of District technology resources (see definition in Bylaw 0100) is a privilege not a right. Students and their parents must sign and submit a Student Technology Acceptable Use and Safety form. (see also, Policy 7540.03)

The District Administrator shall develop, recommend for approval by the Board, and implement a written District Technology Procedure (DTP). One of the primary purposes of the DTP is to evaluate new and emerging technologies and how they will play a role in student achievement and success and/or efficient and effective District operations.

The District Administrator shall create a Technology Governance Committee (see AG 7540B) to oversee and guide the development of the DTP. The District Administrator shall appoint individuals to the Technology Governance Committee that include representatives of all educational, administrative, and business/operational areas in the District.

The DTP shall set forth procedures for the proper acquisition of technology. The DTP shall also provide guidance to staff and students concerning making safe, appropriate, and ethical use of District technology resources, as well as inform both staff and students about disciplinary actions that will be taken if Board technology and/or networks are abused in any way or used in an illegal or unethical manner. (see Policy 7540.03 and AG 7540.03 – Student Technology Acceptable Use and Safety, and Policy 7540.04 and AG 7540.04 – Staff Technology Acceptable Use and Safety)

The District Administrator, in conjunction with the School Board, shall review the DTP and report any changes, amendments, or revisions to the Board annually.

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 (see Policy 5136 and Policy 7530.02). Users have no right or expectation of privacy when using District 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 District’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 District-issued e-mail accounts.

The Board prohibits students from using District technology resources to access and/or use social media.

Staff may use social media for business-related purposes. Authorized staff may use District technology resources to access and use social media to increase awareness of District programs and activities, as well as to promote achievements of staff and students, provided the District Administrator approves, in advance, such access and use. Use of social media for business-related purposes is subject to Wisconsin's public records laws and staff members are responsible for archiving their social media and complying with the District's record retention schedule. See Policy 8310 – Public Records, AG 8310A – Public Records, and AG 8310D – Records Retention and Disposal.

Staff must comply with Policy 7540.04 and Policy 7530.02 when using District technology resources to access and/or use social media.

Wis. Stats. 947.0125, 948.11