Procedural Guidelines for Appropriate use of Computers and Computer Networks belonging to the San Juan Island School District

I. User Expectations and Responsibilities

A. Students are authorized to use District computing facilities/networks for work directly related to the student’s educational efforts.

B. Students are responsible for protecting their account/password from unauthorized use and may not allow another person to use their password or to share their account.

C. Students may not use another person’s computing account, attempt to forge account identity, or use a false account or e-mail address. Students may not circumvent workstation security systems or prevent access to individual workstations. Any attempt to circumvent system security or in any way gain unauthorized access to local or network resources is forbidden.

D. Students are forbidden to use e-mail and other network communications to harass, offend, or annoy other users of the network including impeding their computing systems, software, or data.

E. Authorized student users of the San Juan Island School District have specific behavior expectations in reference to District computers and computer systems/networks. All users are responsible for:

1. Backing up their own data as needed.

2. Courteous and considerate use of all computers and computer systems/networks.

3. Legitimate and appropriate use. Users may not:

a.) Use the computers and computer systems/networks for commercial use or financial gain unless specifically granted approval by the superintendent or designee and in accordance with other District procedures.

b.) Charge fees or other remuneration for advertising or other use of the computer facilities for any purpose unless specifically granted approval by the District administrator responsible for overseeing such fees.

c.) Copy any District owned software unless specifically authorized by the copyright and licensing provisions of the software or place copyrighted material on the system without the author’s permission or in any way violate copyright law.

d.) Initiate or participate in activities which damage or disrupt hardware or communications such as irresponsible or destructive use of equipment, virus creation and propagation, wasting system resources, and overloading networks with excessive data.

e.) Upload/download any unauthorized file including, but not limited to, obscene, pornographic or inappropriate material.

f.) Use the system to encourage or engage in any illegal activity or promote unethical practices or any activity, including political activity, prohibited by Board policy or law.

g.) Use computers resources for unauthorized game playing.

F. Users shall report any security problem or misuse of the network to District staff.

II. Sanctions for Policy Violations

Violations of this policy will be treated as misconduct, a misdemeanor, or a felony as appropriate for the offense. Students who violate the policy are subject to discipline, prosecution, and restitution. Computer access may be limited or terminated pending determination of disciplinary investigations.