The technologies of the Information Age have opened today’s classrooms to the world of telecommunications, electronic information sources, and network services. Through the Internet, students, staff and parents can access, communicate and distribute information in ways that go beyond traditional methods. Through online subscription services, for example, network users at North Hardin High School have access to over one thousand periodicals and newspapers.

As an acknowledgment of its commitment to providing access to information technology resources, the Hardin County Board of Education has provided a computer network for student, staff, and parent use. In doing so, the District recognizes the instructional value of these technologies, as well as a need for instruction in electronic information skills for the entire school community. Our ultimate goal is to use technology to promote student achievement.

In order to harness effectively these global communication opportunities, North Hardin High School has developed an Acceptable Use Policy governing procedures, responsibilities, conduct, sanctions and disciplinary measures. Provisions of this acceptable use policy are in compliance with the Kentucky state legislature’s regulations governing the access to computer networks (701 KAR 5:120), and with the Hardin County Board of Education's Code of Conduct handbook.

All staff members will have access to network services, including the Internet and e-mail. Access to these services requires responsible and professional behavior.

Staff members should be made aware of ethical standards of online communication. In particular, they should not send confidential information about students or other employees of the Hardin County School System through e-mail, since it is a public medium.

Staff members should not retrieve any network files unless given authorization to do so.

Staff members should understand that files and messages are considered public record. Network administrators could access these if wrongdoing or misuse of the system is suspected. Courts have ruled that messages and files may be subpoenaed and network supervisors may examine communications to make sure all guidelines are being met for acceptable use. (KRS 61.870-61.884 and KRS 171.410-171.720.)

Staff members will inform all students of their rights and responsibilities as they access the District’s network, whether working independently or in a class setting.

To insure safe usage of the Internet for class assignments, staff members should preview and/or guide their students in the selection of Internet sites.

Staff members should ensure that students are instructed in copyright laws, with the understanding that everything on the network is copyrighted in the same manner as print materials.

Staff members shall report any illegal network activity committed by their students to a school administrator.

Staff members will be held accountable for any illegal network activity committed by their students not reported to a school administrator.

Students will be responsible for their network behavior just as they are responsible for their behavior in a school classroom or hallway.

Students will comply with the restrictions of use as outlined in the Hardin County Schools’ Code of Conduct, when using the network resources. As outlined in Board policy, the following practices are not permitted:

sending or displaying offensive messages or pictures;

using obscene language;

harassing, insulting or attacking others;

attempts to contact strangers on the network regarding non-school related issues, unless pre-approved by the teacher (i.e., pen pals, writing projects, etc);

damaging computers, computer systems, or computer networks; (Class C Felony-KRS 434.840-434.860 and Class D Felony- KRS 512.020)

violating copyright laws;

using another's personal password; (Class C Felony KRS 434.840-434.860)

revealing one's login name or password to anyone; (Class C Felony KRS 434.840-434.860)

trespassing in another's folders, work, or files; (Class C Felony KRS 434.840-434.860)

intentionally wasting limited resources;

employing the network for commercial purposes; and

intentionally loading viruses onto district computers, diskettes, or networks. (Class C Felony KRS 434.840-434.860 and Class D Felony KRS 512.020)

Students will be aware of the instructional and communication focus of network resources. Students will follow suggestions and guidelines developed by staff members and when on the Internet, will be responsible for using recommended sites for their assignment. If no recommended sites are available, students are responsible for staying within the assignment guidelines.

Students should be aware of the network administrators' right to review files and communications in order to maintain system integrity and ensure that users are accessing the system responsibly.

Students should understand that access and use of network services is a privilege and entails responsibility. In accordance with our school policy, the following are not permitted outside of classroom assignments:

1. games,

2. chat rooms and instant messaging,

3. downloading files from the Internet,

4. surfing non-educational sites,

5. listening to music and playing videos,

6. accessing email outside of assigned school accounts,

7. changing computer desktop settings or moving icons. (Class C Felony KRS 434.840-434.860)

Students should be frugal when printing. Students should also keep the computer station

clean and orderly. Students should not have any food or drink near the computer stations.

Network access by students, unless legally emancipated, requires parent or guardian permission. Students 18 and older, who live with a parent or guardian, are required to obtain permission from their parent or guardian.

Student users will comply with district and school policies regarding network access and will honor all agreements they have signed.

Illegal network activities will be reported to the proper authority, including local/state police and/or the F.B. I.

Sanctions may include:

a. Suspension of network privileges, either for one class period, a day or another period of time;

b. Disciplinary action as determined by school administrators;

c. Monetary damages sufficient to cover the cost or repair/replacement of equipment and/or cost of litigation will be assessed as needed;

d. Involvement by appropriate law enforcement agencies as needed.

All teachers will submit notification of student violations to the technology coordinators in the media center. Notification of students who have had network access suspended will be communicated to their teachers. Parents or guardians of student violators will receive notification of modification or suspension of access.

Students who have committed violations resulting in sanctions may wish to appeal those sanctions. In those cases, the following guidelines should be followed:

Students may be subjected to information that is not educationally appropriate due to the availability of non-educational sites on the Internet. To lessen the availability of student access to such sites, the Hardin County Board of Education has installed filtering software in accordance with the guidelines submitted by the Kentucky state legislature (1998 Senate Bill 230.)

However, parents and guardians should provide additional guidelines that will insure appropriate network access for their child. The District supports and respects each family's right to decide whether or not to apply for access.

Parents who agree to give permission to their child for network access will sign a permission card and will agree to accept the regulations outlined in the District's Code of Conduct handbook and this North Hardin High School Acceptable Use Policy.

Approved by Technology committee, April 3, 2003

AUP Sub-Committee: Debbyee Blair, Lin Linder, and Debra Mayer

Approved by NHHS SBDM council, April 17, 2003