White Hall School District Computer Use Policy

The White Hall School District recognizes the need to effectively use computer technology to further enhance the educational goals of the school district. With access to computers and people all over the world also comes the availability of material that may not be considered to be of educational value in the context of the school setting. White Hall Public Schools has taken available precautions to restrict access to controversial materials. However, on a global network it is impossible to control all the materials and an industrious use may discover controversial information. We firmly believe that the valuable information and interaction available on this worldwide network far outweigh the possibility that users may obtain material that is not consistent with the educational goals of White Hall Public Schools.

Board Approved Policy

3.28— LICENSED PERSONNEL COMPUTER USE POLICY

The White Hall School District provides computers and/or computer Internet access for many employees to assist employees in performing work related tasks. Employees are advised that they enjoy no expectation of privacyin any aspect of their computer use, including email, and that under Arkansas law both email and computer use records maintained by the district are subject to disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act. Consequently, no employee or student-related reprimands or other disciplinary communications should be made through email.

Passwords or security procedures are to be used as assigned, and confidentiality of student records is to be maintained at all times. Employees must not disable or bypass security procedures, compromise, attempt to compromise, or defeat the district’s technology network security, alter data without authorization, disclose passwords to other staff members or students, or grant students access to any computer not designated for student use. It is the policy of this school district to equip each computer with Internet filtering software designed to prevent users from accessing material that is harmful to minors. The designated District Technology Administrator or designee may authorize the disabling of the filter to enable access by an adult for a bona fide research or other lawful purpose.

Employees who misuse district-owned computers in any way, including excessive personal use, using computers for personal use during instructional time, using computers to violate any other policy, knowingly or negligentlyallowing unauthorized access, or using the computers to access or create sexually explicit or pornographic text or graphics, will face disciplinary action, up to and including termination or non-renewal of the employment contract.

Legal References: Children’s Internet Protection Act; PL 106-554, 20 USC 6777, 47 USC 254(h), A.C.A. § 6-21-107, A.C.A. § 6-21-111