Published in accordance with Board Policy IJNDB

Technology Use

Due to the integration of technology in the educational process and the curriculum of districts, student use of technology is not optional. In this handbook, we provide a summary of the Use of Technology Resources in Instruction board policy. Students and parents/guardians can view the latest version of the entire policy and administrative rules on the district website (www.lexington4.net) by clicking on “Board Policies.”

The district’s goal in providing technology is to promote educational excellence by facilitating resource sharing, innovation, communication and learning through access to resources unavailable through traditional means. Through the network and Internet, students and staff have access to the following:

• locally networked reference and research sources;
• global information and news;
• discussion groups on a vast range of topics;
• local, regional, public, state and national library catalogs;
• the World-Wide Web; and
• electronic mail services.

Access to technology is a privilege, not a right. With this privilege also comes a responsibility to use this access solely for educational purposes and not for inappropriate purposes. Use of the district’s technology system is limited to educational, professional, or career development activities only — providing it is not disruptive and does not interfere with the performance of other responsibilities.

Access to computer systems and networks owned/operated by the district imposes certain responsibilities and obligations on users, and is subject to district policies and local, state and federal laws. Transmission of any material in violation of any federal or state laws or regulations is prohibited.

At the beginning of each school year, students and staff receive information about the appropriate use of technology, the district network, safety and other issues governing technology use through the district’s student/parent and employee handbooks.

All students enrolled in the district understand that they will be using technology responsibly at school on a regular basis and that they are bound by terms of the district’s policies.

Lexington Four requires all its users to report technology-related issues or problems immediately. Students tell their attending teacher. Employees tell their supervisor.

Acceptable use is always ethical, reflects honesty and shows restraint in the consumption of shared resources. It demonstrates respect for intellectual property, ownership of information, system security mechanisms, and the individual’s rights to privacy and freedom from intimidation, harassment and unwarranted annoyance.

Rules Governing Technology Use

Lexington Four web pages must comply with district policies on FERPA, data privacy and public use of school records. All communications via district web pages will comply with the district’s technology policy and Student Code of Conduct. The district is not responsible for any obligations resulting from any unauthorized use of the system. This includes, but is not limited to, copyrighted material, threatening or obscene material, material protected by trade secret, inappropriate materials of any type, or any other illegal act. Lexington Four will involve law enforcement should illegal activities take place.

Users will not access inappropriate materials. Students should immediately let their teacher know if they mistakenly access any inappropriate information or images, receive any message that they feel is inappropriate or that makes them feel uncomfortable, and/or notice any possible security problems. By immediately reporting such incidences, users protect themselves against allegations that they have intentionally violated the policy.

Students will not post personal contact information about themselves or other people unless it is in conjunction with a specific teacher-approved assignment or approved college/career communication. 

Personal contact information includes, but is not limited to, home address, telephone numbers, school address, etc. Students will not use district resources to agree to meet with someone they have met online. Individuals using the district’s system must also adhere to the following rules:

• Text and other non-executable files attached to e-mail messages or from the Internet can be downloaded if the information and/or files are for school-related business only. Large files should be downloaded during off-peak hours whenever possible.
• Do not upload or scan in inappropriate or nonschool-related images of your own accord to district technology resources.
• Join only high-quality discussion groups or mail lists that are relevant to your educational or career development.
• Do not use district technology for a personal business, for unauthorized commercial purposes, or for financial gain unrelated to the mission of the school district.
• Do not originate or knowingly forward e-mails containing jokes, spam, chain letters, greeting cards for personal purposes, virus notifications, screen savers and other non-educational file attachments.
• Do not attempt to gain unauthorized access to the e-mail system, district web pages, or any other computer systems through Lexington Four e-mail and/or Internet and/or network access.
• Do not make deliberate attempts to disrupt the computer system’s performance or to destroy data by spreading computer viruses or by any other means. These actions are illegal. Additionally, individuals should not knowingly use portable data storage devices which contain viruses.
• Do not attempt to perform functions that exceed their authorized access, share their account information (user ID and/or password or log in through another person’s account or access another person’s files without permission. These actions are illegal.
• Do not download or install unauthorized software or install unauthorized hardware.
• Do not run any executable files attached to an e-mail message.
• Do not use defamatory, false, obscene, profane, lewd, vulgar, rude, inflammatory, threatening, bullying, disrespectful, disruptive, racial, violent or any other inappropriate language in public messages, private messages and any material posted on web pages.
• Do not engage in personal attacks, including prejudicial or discriminatory remarks.
• Do not send harassing e-mail. Harassment is persistently acting in a manner that distresses or annoys another person. Individuals must stop sending messages when requested to do so by another person.
• Do not access sites/material that are profane, obscene, or pornographic, nor use the system to access sites/material that advocate illegal acts, violence, or discrimination.

User Privacy

E-mail messages and any other electronic files created or stored using district resources are the property of the district.

The district reserves the right to examine, restrict or remove any material that is on or passes through its network, just as it does any other work or material generated at or brought to school or work by staff or students.

Access to electronic information related to any student or staff member will be governed by the same policies that would apply to that information if it were not in electronic form.

Penalties for Improper Use

Students who violate the technology policy or otherwise misuse technology will be subject to disciplinary action. This action may include, at a minimum, the loss of technology privileges up to expulsion according to the district’s Student Code of Conduct policy. Violations of federal or state laws may subject users to criminal prosecution.