6410R

2025

SUBJECT: STAFF USE OF COMPUTERIZED INFORMATION RESOURCES/ACCEPTABLE USE OF TECHNOLOGY

 

Staff will have the right to use technology to perform duties associated with their positions and assignments. The following list includes, but is not limited to, what is considered to be acceptable use of technology in the Pine Bush
Central School District. The technology should be treated like all other school property and the use of it should not be abused. The same policies which apply to acceptable staff behavior pertain to the use of technology. The staff is
responsible for adhering to this code and may be required to sign a statement to that effect.

1. Logging into the school network:

1. Staff will use only their assigned “Login Name” to log into the school network.
2. Staff will maintain the privacy of their own password.
3. Staff will not use another person’s login name and password.
4. Staff will not share their login name and/or password with anyone.
5. Staff will be responsible for all activities on their assigned account.

 

2. Staff files:

1. Staff will only access files and data which are their own, which are publically available or to which they have been given access subject to all applicable state and federal laws.
2. Staff will not access another person’s files or data without permission from the owner of the files or data or designated central office administrator.
3. All data must be scanned for viruses and malware prior to being used on a school computer/device.
4. Files stored by staff on the school network, computer or Google Drive are NOT confidential. The system administrator or other authorized school official may, at any time, review the subject, content and appropriateness of the file, and report any violation of the rules to school officials. If warranted, such files may be removed.

 

3. Computer software and resources: 

1. Staff will use computer software and resources for authorized purposes, following established procedures.
2. Staff will use only legal versions of copyrighted software which have been purchased by or subscribed to by the district.
3. Staff will not use computers/devices for personal communication and game playing.
4. Executable programs are not permitted to be run from CDs, DVDs, flash/USB drives, staff’s H drive, Google Drive or any removable storage or media device.
5.  Staff will not post, send, transmit, publish, download, upload, copy, print, or otherwise disseminate information that contains defamatory, abusive, obscene, profane, pornographic, material not age-appropriate and/or otherwise offensive materials through the school network or any school
   computer/device.
6. Staff will not post, send, transmit, publish, download, upload, copy, print, or otherwise disseminate information containing any advertisement or solicitations of other persons to use goods and services that are not for school-related purposes. Staff shall not use their account to conduct business or activities which are prohibited by law. The district shall not be responsible for any financial obligation that may arise from a staff member’s unauthorized abuse of the school computers, school devices and/or network.

 

4. Network security and integrity:

1. Staff will not attempt to circumvent or subvert system security measures.
2. Staff will not use computer programs to decode passwords or access control information.
3. Staff will not engage in any activity that might be harmful to the school computers/devices, school network or to any information stored thereon, such as creating or propagating viruses or malware, disrupting services, or damaging files. Staff will not knowingly introduce a virus or malware into a
   district computer/device, network or the Internet.
4. Staff will not change screensavers, wallpapers, monitor calibration or any computer/device settings.
5. Staff will not waste computing resources (including but not limited to intentionally placing a program in an endless loop, printing inappropriate or excessive copies of documents or pictures, sending messages to other users, and spamming).

 

5. Vandalism:

1. Computers/devices and related technology equipment are owned by the school district and should be used and treated appropriately.
2. Staff will not destroy, modify, copy, damage or abuse computer hardware, devices and software in any way.
3. Computers/devices and related technology equipment must stay in the classroom or lab unless the staff member has been assigned a portable computer/device.

 

6. The internet:

1. Staff will use the Internet for education and research.
2. Staff will accept the responsibility for all material received and make sure that none of the material received via the Internet is copyrighted.
3.  Internet access is provided with the understanding that the school district cannot control the content available on the Internet. The school district makes no guarantees as to the accuracy of the information obtained from the Internet.
4. The district filters all Internet access from school computers/devices and any computer/device connected to the school network. This includes all computers/devices used by students and/or staff. However, no filtering technology can guarantee that staff and students will be prevented from accessing all inappropriate sites. The Internet filter is configured to block obscene pictures and language, including pornography and child pornography.
5. The district provides email accounts for staff. Staff should use their district email account for all school related communications. The district Internet filter is configured to block all other web based email and chat rooms.
6. Staff will not use the Internet to post, send, transmit, publish, download, upload, copy, print, or otherwise disseminate information that contains defamatory, abusive, obscene, profane, pornographic, material not
   age-appropriate and/or otherwise offensive materials.
7. Staff will not copy files, data or programs from the Internet without appropriate permission.

 

7. Violation of acceptable use:

Staff who are suspected of using school computers/devices in a manner that would violate this policy or any other district policy, rule and/or regulation, or would violate any state or Federal law or regulation, will be notified of the alleged violation and provided with an opportunity to respond. If a staff member is found guilty of such violation, they may have their account suspended or canceled for any length of time, up to and including a permanent cancellation. Where appropriate, staff may be referred to law enforcement officials when such activities are suspected to be illegal.

 

Refer also to Pine Bush CSD 1:1 Device Handbook

 

Updated April 2025