Technology Policy and Agreement

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Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to ensure that the use of Thompson School District (TSD) technology resources, including hardware, and software, as well as electronic communications by students complies with applicable federal and state laws and regulations and is consistent with the district’s objectives for such use. Students who use district technology resources accessed from any location or device, including personal technology devices, are required to adhere to this policy. TSD reserves the right to modify terms and conditions at any time. The latest version of this policy is available on the district’s website. For purposes of this policy, “district technology resource” means any district-owned computer or electronic device, hardware, software, technology or information resources used for processing, transfer, storage and communications for learning purposes, including, without limitation, classroom technologies, email, networks, video, multimedia and instructional materials.

Introduction

Students need to learn how to use technology skillfully, wisely, and safely to be informed citizens, post secondary students, and/or future employees. Use of the Internet and electronic communications requires students to think critically, analyze information, write clearly, use problem-solving skills and hone digital and research skills that employers demand. Use of digital tools also encourages an attitude of lifelong learning and offers an opportunity for students to participate in virtual distance learning, ask questions of and consult with experts, communicate with other students and individuals and research material to meet educational and personal information needs.

The Internet and electronic communications are fluid environments in which students may access materials and information from many sources, including some that may be harmful to students. While it is impossible to predict with certainty what information students may locate or come into contact with while using the Internet or electronic communications systems, the district will take reasonable steps to protect students from accessing material and information that is obscene, pornographic, or otherwise harmful to minors, as defined by policy. Students shall take responsibility for their own use of district technology resources to avoid contact with material or information that may be harmful to them.

Student Use is a Privilege

Use of the Internet and electronic communications demands personal responsibility and an understanding of the acceptable and unacceptable uses of such tools. Student use of the Internet, electronic communications, and district technology resources is a privilege, not a right. Failure to follow the use procedures contained in this policy shall result in the loss of the privilege to use these tools and restitution for costs associated with damages, and may result in legal action and/or disciplinary action, including suspension and/or expulsion, in accordance with Board policy concerning suspension, expulsion, and other disciplinary interventions. The district may deny, revoke, or suspend access to district technology or close accounts at any time.

Students and parents/guardians shall be required to sign this Student Responsible Use Technology Agreement upon initial enrollment and at each change in school level thereafter (elementary, middle school, high school) before devices shall be issued or access shall be allowed.

Safety

In the interest of student safety and security, the district shall educate students and families about appropriate online behavior, including cyberbullying awareness and response; and interacting on social networking sites, in chat rooms, and other forms of direct electronic communications.

Students shall not reveal personal information, such as home address or phone number, while using the Internet or electronic communications. Without first obtaining permission from a supervising staff member, students shall not use their last name or any other information that might allow another person to locate them, or arrange face-to-face meetings with persons met on the Internet or through electronic communications.

Students are encouraged to report all incidents of harassment, threats, bullying, hate-speech, and inappropriate content to a teacher, counselor, or administrator in their school building or to file a report pursuant to District Policy AC.

Security

Security of district technology resources is a high priority. Students who identify a security problem while using district technology resources must immediately notify a system administrator. Students should not demonstrate the problem to other users.

Students shall not:

• obtain or attempt to compromise the password of another or use another person's password or any other identifier
• gain or attempt to gain unauthorized access to the Internet, electronic communications, or district technology resources
• read, alter, delete or copy, or attempt to do so, electronic communications of other system users

Any user identified as a security risk, or as having a history of problems with technology, may be denied access to the Internet, electronic communications and/or other district resources.

Vandalism

Vandalism may result in cancellation of privileges and may result in legal action and/or disciplinary action, including suspension and/or expulsion, in accordance with Board policy concerning suspension, expulsion and other disciplinary interventions. Vandalism is defined as any malicious or intentional attempt to harm, destroy, modify, abuse, or disrupt operation of any network within the district or any network connected to the Internet, operation of any form of electronic communications, the data contained on any network or electronic communications, the data of another user, usage by another user, or district technology resource. This includes, but is not limited to, the uploading or creation of computer viruses and the use of encryption software.

Limitations of Liability

TSD makes no warranties of any kind, expressed or implied, concerning the district technology resources it provides or the use of district technology resources, including access to the Internet and electronic communication services. Providing access to these services does not imply endorsement by the district of the content, nor does the district make any guarantee as to the accuracy or quality of information obtained through district technology resources, except material that is an official record of the district. The district shall not be responsible for any damages, losses or costs a student suffers in using district technology resources, the Internet, and electronic communications. This includes loss of data and service interruptions. Use of any information obtained via the Internet and electronic communications is at the student’s own risk.

Blocking or Filtering Obscene, Pornographic and Harmful Information

Technology that blocks or filters material and information that is obscene, child pornography or otherwise harmful to minors, as defined by policy, shall be installed on all district computers having Internet or electronic communications access. Students shall report access to material and information that is inappropriate, offensive or otherwise in violation of this policy to a supervising staff member. If a student becomes aware of other students accessing such material or information, they shall report it to a supervising staff member.

No Expectation of Privacy

District technology resources and accounts established for students’ use thereof, are owned by the district and are intended for educational purposes only. Students shall have no expectation of privacy when using district technology resources, accounts and devices. The district reserves the right to monitor, inspect, copy, review and store (at any time and without prior notice) all usage of district technology resources, accounts and devices, including all Internet and electronic communications access and transmission/receipt of materials and information. All material and information accessed/received through district technology resources, accounts and devices shall remain the property of the district.

Assigning Student Projects and Monitoring Student Use

The district will make reasonable efforts to see that the Internet and electronic communications are used responsibly by students. Administrators, teachers and staff have a professional responsibility to work together to monitor students' use of the Internet and electronic communications, help students develop the intellectual skills needed to discriminate among information sources, to identify information appropriate to their age and developmental levels, and to evaluate and use information to meet their educational goals. Students shall have specifically defined objectives and search strategies prior to accessing material and information on the Internet and through electronic communications.

Adopted September 2, 1998
Revised October 16, 2019
Revised February 3, 2021
Revised February 21, 2024

Legal reference

20 U.S.C. 6751 et seq. (Enhancing Education Through Technology Act of 2001)
47 U.S.C. 254(h) (Children's Internet Protection Act of 2000)
47 C.F.R. Part 54, Subpart F (Universal Support for Schools and Libraries)
C.R.S. 22-87-101 et seq. (Children’s Internet Protection Act)

Cross references

EGAEA, Electronic Communication
EHAA, Computer/Data Security
JKD/JKE, Suspension/Expulsion of Students