4400
Personnel
Communications
Staff Access to Networked Information
Telecommunications, Electronic Information Sources, Network Services
The Board recognizes that as telecommunications and other new technologies shift the ways that information may be accessed, communicated and transferred, those changes may also alter the way in which staff shares ideas, transmit information, and contact others. As staff members are connected to the global community, their use of new tools and systems brings new responsibilities as well as opportunities.
The Board expects that employees will use electronic mail and telecommunications tools daily in appropriate ways to the performance tasks associated with their positions and assignments. Toward that end, the Board directs the Superintendent to provide staff with training in the proper and effective use of telecommunications and electronic mail.
Communication over networks should not be considered private. Network supervision and maintenance may require review and inspection of directories or messages. Messages may sometimes be diverted accidentally to a destination other than the one intended. Privacy in these communications is not guaranteed. The district reserves the right to access stored records in cases where there is reasonable cause to expect wrong-doing or misuse of the system. Courts have ruled that old messages may be subpoenaed, and network supervisors may examine communications in order to ascertain compliance with network guidelines for acceptable use.
The Board directs the Superintendent to specify those behaviors, which are permitted and those, which are not permitted, as well as appropriate procedures to guide employee use. In general, employees are expected to communicate in a professional manner consistent with state laws governing the behavior of school employees and with federal laws governing copyrights. Electronic mail and telecommunications are not to be used to share confidential information about students or other employees.
The Board encourages staff to make use of telecommunications to explore educational topics, conduct research, and contact others in the educational world. The Board anticipates that the new systems will expedite the sharing of effective practices and lessons across the district and will help staff on the leading edge of practice by forming partnerships with others across the nation and around the world.
Cf
4400R: Personnel, Communications: Staff Access to Networked Information: Administrative Regulations
6156: Instruction: Use of Computers in Instruction
6157: Instruction, Communications: Student Access to Networked Information
Naugatuck Board of Education Policy adopted:
