The Houston County Board of Education recognizes the importance of making advanced technology and increased access to learning opportunities available to students and staff. As resources permit, INTERNET services shall be made available in schools. The board believes that this computer technology will help propel our schools into the information age by allowing students and staff to access and use information sources from distant computers, to communicate and share information with individuals or groups of other students and staff, and to expand significantly their knowledge base.
It is the board's intent, through providing access to the Internet, to allow students and teachers access to:

1. Electronic mail communication with people all over the world;

2. Information and news from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration as well as the opportunity to correspond with the scientists at NASA and other research institutions;

3. Public domain and shareware of all types;

4. Discussion groups on a diversity of topics such as culture, environment, music, and politics;

5. University library catalogs as well as the Library of Congress.

The board of education realizes that with access to computers and people all over the world also comes the availability of material that may not be considered of educational value in the context of the school setting. Houston County School System personnel shall take available precautions to restrict access to controversial materials. While recognizing that on a global network it is impossible to control all material which might inadvertently be discovered by users, the Houston County Board of Education firmly believes that the valuable information and interaction available on this worldwide network far outweighs the possibility that users may procure material that is not consistent with the educational goals of the school system.

Proper and Ethical Use

It is important that, with this new learning tool, students and staff understand and practice proper and ethical use. All students and staff shall be required to attend an orientation session regarding procedures, ethics, and security involving the use of the Internet before using the school system's access.

Conditions and Rules for Use

1. Acceptable use
a. The purpose of Internet is to facilitate communications in support of research and education by providing access to unique resources. Use by any student or staff member must be in support of and consistent with the educational objectives of the Houston County School System.
b. Transmission of any material in violation of United States or state regulation is prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to, copyrighted material, threatening or obscene material, or material protected by patent.
c. Use for commercial activities is generally not acceptable. Use for product advertisement or political lobbying is prohibited.

2. Privilege

The use of Internet is a privilege, not a right. Inappropriate use, including any violation of these conditions and rules, may result in cancellation of the privilege. Under this agreement, the Houston County School System is delegated the authority to determine appropriate use and may deny, revoke, or suspend any user's access at any time based upon determination of inappropriate use.

3. Monitoring

The Houston County School System reserves the right to review any material by any user and to monitor fileserver space in order to make determinations as to whether specific uses of the network are inappropriate.

4. Network Etiquette
a. Users shall be polite, not being abusive in messages to others.
b. Users shall use appropriate language. Profanities and vulgarities or any other inappropriate language is prohibited.

5. Warranties

The Houston County Board of Education makes no warranties of any kind, whether express or implied, for services through the Internet. The school system shall not be responsible for any damages a user suffers, including loss of data resulting from delays, non-deliveries, mis-deliveries, or service interruption. Use of information obtained via the Internet is at the user's own risk. The Houston County Board of Education specifically denies responsibility for the accuracy or quality of information obtained through Internet services. All users should consider the source of any information they obtain as well as the validity of that information.

6. Security
a. Security of any computer system is a high priority, especially when the system involves many users.
b. Any user who identifies a security problem must notify an adult teacher/supervisor or administrator immediately.
c. Users shall not use another individual's access account without express permission of the account holder.
d. Any attempt by a student to log on to the Internet as a system administrator or teacher/supervisor will result in cancellation of user privilege.
e. Any user identified as a security risk for having a history of problems with other computer systems may be denied access to the Internet through the resources offered by the Houston County School System.

7. Vandalism
a. Vandalism and harassment will result in cancellation of user privileges.
b. Vandalism is defined as any malicious attempt to harm, modify, or destroy data of another user. This includes, but is not limited to, the uploading or creating of computer viruses.
c. Harassment is defined as the persistent annoyance of another user or the interference in another user's work. Harassment includes, but is not limited to, the sending of unwanted E-mail.

8. Procedures for Use
a. Student users must always get permission from a teacher or adult computer lab supervisor before using the network or accessing any specific file or application.
b. Student users must sign in legibly on an appropriate log or user-register in the classroom or computer lab each time they use the network.
c. All users have the same right to use the equipment; therefore, users shall not play games or use the computer resources for other non-academic purposes. Users shall not waste nor take supplies such as paper, printer ribbons, and diskettes that are provided by the school system.

9. Encounter of Controversial Material

Users may encounter material which is controversial and which users, parents, teachers, or administrators may consider inappropriate or offensive. The Houston County School System has a right and will make every effort to control the content of data accessed through the Internet by use of watchdog software and teacher monitoring. Unfortunately, however, on a global network it is impossible to control every piece of data, and an industrious user may discover controversial material accidentally.

It is the user's responsibility not to initiate access to such material purposely. If such material is accessed accidentally, the student-user shall notify an adult teacher/supervisor immediately to ensure such an accident does not happen again.

Penalties for Improper Use

1. Any user violating these rules or any other state or federal laws or classroom or school system policies is subject to lose network and/or computer use privileges. Furthermore, school disciplinary action, including in-school suspension and/or suspension or expulsion, may be imposed.

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.

2. Any unauthorized access or breach of state or federal law is subject to criminal prosecution.

PROCEDURES

Procedures for access of the Internet by Houston County employees and students:

1. Supervision of student access to telecommunications at various ages and grade levels.

All student access to the Internet will be under the direct supervision of a teacher or designated professional staff member.

2. Selection and screening of electronic communication resources.

Any computer connected to the Internet either directly or through a schoolwide network will have appropriate screening software installed to prevent access to unauthorized material. Examples of screening software are SurfWatch and CyberPatrol.

3. Student responsibilities and behavior when accessing information electronically.

All students who are granted access privileges to the Internet must first read and sign the Student Agreement form. Furthermore, their parents and guardians must read the acceptable use policy and sign the Parent Agreement form and return it to a designated person at the student's school.

ADOPTED: 2/13/96

HOUSTON COUNTY SCHOOL SYSTEM

Perry, Georgia

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Last updated: February 23, 1999

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