522.5   Acceptable Use of Media and Communication

All users of this Policy are reminded that schools must provide a safe environment for all.  We are also an institution of education and in that regard we must provide a balance between a broad freedom to learn and due consideration for the rights for all employees; legally, the School District and its communication systems are not a First Amendment Public Forum.

This Policy is comprehensive in nature.    The Plymouth Joint School District provides its users with access to the internet, including web sites, resources, content, and online tools.  That access will be restricted in compliance with CIPA (The Children’s Internet Protection Act) regulations.  Web access may be monitored and web activity records may be retained indefinitely.  It is expected that use of all communication systems in the Plymouth School District will remain appropriate and legal.

The communication systems of the Plymouth Joint School District shall remain free of any communication which is pornographic, harassing, advocating violence, or has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual’s work or academic performance or creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive work or learning environment within the School District.  There shall be no communication which promotes the illegal use of drugs including prescription drugs and alcohol.  Any act contrary to this rule will result in disciplinary action which may include termination of employment and ejection and barring of visitors.

All people using communication systems within the School District are prohibited from accessing material, downloading, viewing, soliciting, seeking, displaying, retaining or distributing any which is pornographic, harassing, advocating violence, or has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual’s work performance or creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive environment within the School District.  All electronic information systems shall have appropriate devices in place to prevent unauthorized use of such systems, as described above, and to prevent intended and unintended access to inappropriate Internet sites by any employee or visitors.  Inappropriate sites are those which contain material which is prohibited by this Policy.  Any act contrary to this rule will result in disciplinary action which may include termination of employment and ejection and barring of visitors.

The Plymouth Joint School District will not be responsible for damage or harm to persons, files, data or hardware.  While the Plymouth Joint School District employs filtering and other safety and security mechanism, and attempts to ensure their proper function, it makes no guarantees as to their effectiveness.  The Plymouth Joint School District will not be responsible, financially or otherwise, for authorized transactions conducted over the school network.

There is a Manual of Acceptable Communication which provides further details for this Policy.  Employees must sign and agree to the standards outlined in the Manual of Acceptable Communication.  Such document shall be on record at the District Office.

Legal Ref:  Children’s Internet Protection Act: S.97

Approved:       2-18-98
Revised:          9-18-12