2022 - Electronic Resources and Internet Safety

The South Kitsap School District Board of Directors recognizes that an effective public education system develops students who are globally aware, civically engaged, and capable of managing their lives and careers. The board also believes that staff and students need to be proficient and safe users of information, media, and technology to succeed in a digital world.

Electronic Resources

The district will develop and use electronic resources as a powerful and compelling means for students to learn core subjects and applied skills in relevant and rigorous ways and for staff to educate them in such areas of need.   It is the district’s goal to provide students with rich and ample opportunities to use technology for important purposes in schools just as individuals in workplaces and other real-life settings use these tools. The district’s technology will enable educators and students to communicate, learn, share, collaborate and create, to think and solve problems, to manage their work, and to take ownership of their lives.

The superintendent or designee will: 1) create strong electronic resources and develop related educational systems that support innovative teaching and learning; 2) provide appropriate staff development opportunities regarding this policy; and 3) develop procedures to support this policy. The superintendent or designee is authorized to develop procedures and acceptable use guidelines for staff and students as to use of district electronic resources, including those that access Internet and social media, and to regulate use of personal electronic resources on district property and related to district activities.

Internet Safety 

To help ensure student safety and citizenship with electronic resources, all students will be educated about Internet safety.  This will include appropriate online behavior, including interacting with other individuals on social networking websites and in chat rooms, and cyber-bullying awareness and response.

To promote Internet safety and appropriate online behavior of students and staff as they use electronic resources and access material from the Internet, the superintendent or designee is authorized to develop or adopt Internet safety procedures, acceptable use guidelines, and, for students, related instructional materials for every grade level. The superintendent or designee in evaluating such procedures and instructional materials  should take into account District electronic resources, community norms, privacy rights, responsible use, and issues of concern with student or staff use of electronic resources. 

As a component of district Internet safety measures, all district-owned electronic resources, including computer networks and Wi-Fi, in all district facilities capable of accessing the Internet must use filtering software to prevent access to obscene, racist, hateful or violent material. However, given the ever-changing nature of the Internet, the district cannot guarantee that a student will never be able to access objectionable material. 

Further, when students use the Internet from school facilities for educational purposes, district staff will make a reasonable effort to supervise student access and use of the internet.  If material is accessed that violates district policies, procedures or student guidelines for electronic resources or acceptable use, district staff may instruct the person to cease using that material and/or implement sanctions consistent with district policies, procedures, guidelines, or student codes of conduct.

Cross References: 

Board Policy 2020 - Curriculum Development and Adoption of Instructional Materials

Board Policy 2025 - Copyright Compliance

Board Policy 3207 - Prohibition of Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying

Board Policy 3231 - Student Records

Board Policy 3241 - Classroom Management, Discipline and Corrective Actions

Board Policy 4040 - Public Access to District Records

Board Policy 4400 - Election Activities

Board Policy 5253 - Maintaining Professional Staff, Student Boundaries

Board Policy 5274 - Prohibition of Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying (Staff)

Board Policy 5281 - Disciplinary Action and Discharge

Legal References:

18 USC §§ 2510-2522   Electronic Communication Privacy Act

Pub. L. No. 110-385       Protecting Children in the 21^st Century Act

Management Resources:

Policy News, June 2015         Issue

Policy News, October 2012    Issue

Policy News, February 2012   Issue

Policy News, June 2008          Electronic Resources

Policy News, June 2001          Congress Requires Internet Blocking at School

Policy News, August 1998      Permission required to review e-mail

Adoption Date:  May 16, 2005

Revision Date:   March 6, 2006; September 3, 2008; May 30, 2012; September 2, 2015

 

Administrator Responsibilities: