The BOCES Board of Education will provide access to various computerized information resources through the BOCES district's computer system ("DCS" hereafter) consisting of software, hardware, computer networks and electronic communications systems. This may include access to electronic mail, so-called "on-line services" and the "Internet." It may include the opportunity for some students to have independent access to the DCS from their home or other remote locations. All use of the DCS, including independent use off school premises, shall be subject to this policy and accompanying regulations.

Use of BOCES computer resources is authorized only for purposes that are part of the BOCES educational mission, including but not limited to instruction, assessment, administration, research, professional development, or other tasks associated with student programs and staff assignments. Use for any other purpose is prohibited.

Access to Inappropriate Content/Material and Use of Personal Technology or Electronic Devices

This policy is intended to establish general guidelines for the acceptable student use of the DCS and also to give students and parents/guardians notice that student use of the DCS will provide student access to external computer networks not controlled by the BOCES. The BOCES cannot screen or review all of the available content or materials on these external computer networks. Thus some of the available content or materials on these external networks may be deemed unsuitable for student use or access by parents/guardians.

Despite the existence of BOCES policy, regulations and guidelines, it is virtually impossible to completely prevent access to content or material that may be considered inappropriate for students. Students may have the ability to access such content or material from their home, other locations off school premises and/or with a student's own personal technology or electronic device on school grounds or at school events. Parents and guardians must be willing to establish boundaries and standards for the appropriate and acceptable use of technology and communicate these boundaries and standards to their children. The appropriate/acceptable use standards outlined in this policy apply to student use of technology via the DCS or any other electronic media or communications, including by means of a student's own personal technology or electronic device on school grounds or at school events.

Standards of Acceptable Use

Generally, the same standards of acceptable student conduct which apply to any school activity shall apply to use of the DCS. This policy does not attempt to articulate all required and/or acceptable uses of the DCS; nor is it the intention of this policy to define all inappropriate usage. Administrative regulations will further define general guidelines of appropriate student conduct and use as well as proscribed behavior.

BOCES students shall also adhere to the laws, policies and rules governing computers including, but not limited to, copyright laws, rights of software publishers, license agreements, and student rights of privacy created by federal and state law.

Students and staff operating in district based programs will adhere to the acceptable use policy of the district in which the program is housed. If no policy is in place, the terms of this policy will apply.

Students who engage in unacceptable use may lose access to the DCS in accordance with applicable due process procedures, and may be subject to further discipline under the BOCES school conduct and discipline policy and the BOCES Code of Conduct. The BOCES reserves the right to pursue legal action against a student who willfully, maliciously or unlawfully damages or destroys property of the BOCES. Further, the BOCES may bring suit in civil court against the parents/guardians of any student who willfully, maliciously or unlawfully damages or destroys BOCES property pursuant to General Obligations Law Section 3-112.

Program and BOCES administrators shall have the authority to determine whether a particular use is appropriate or inappropriate, authorized or prohibited, in their respective domains of supervisory responsibility. For uses that may be illegal, administrators have the authority to consult with law enforcement authorities. Administrators also have the authority to impose disciplinary consequences where warranted. An appeal procedure will be established to review disputed findings.

Student data files and other electronic storage areas will be treated like school lockers. This means that such areas shall be considered to be BOCES property subject to control and inspection. The District Superintendent or designee may access all such files and communications without prior notice to ensure system integrity and that users are complying with the requirements of this policy and accompanying regulations. Students should NOT expect that information stored on the DCS will be private.

Notification

The BOCES Acceptable Use Policy and Regulations will be disseminated to parents and students in order to provide notice of the school's requirements, expectations, and students' obligations when accessing the DCS.

Regulations will be established as necessary to implement the terms of this policy.