Published in accordance with Board Policy IJNDB

It is the policy of Lexington School District Four to: (a) prevent user access over its computer network to, or transmission of, inappropriate material via Internet, electronic mail, or other forms of direct electronic communications; (b) prevent unauthorized access and other unlawful online activity; (c) prevent unauthorized online disclosure, use, or dissemination of personal identification information of minors; and (d) comply with the Children's Internet Protection Act [Pub. L. No. 106-554].

Definitions - Key terms are as defined in the Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA).

* Access to Inappropriate Material - To the extent practical, technology protection measures (or Internet filters shall be used to block or filter Internet, or other forms of electronic communications, access to inappropriate information. Specifically, as required by the Children's Internet Protection Act, blocking shall be applied to visual depictions of material deemed obscene or child pornography, or to any material deemed harmful to minors.

* Subject to staff supervision, technology protection measures may be disabled or, in the case of minors, minimized only for bona fide research or other lawful purposes. To the extent practical, steps shall be taken to promote the safety and security of users of the Lexington School District Four online computer network when using electronic mail, chat rooms, instant messaging, and other forms of direct electronic communications.

* Specifically, as required by the Children's Internet Protection Act, prevention of inappropriate network usage includes: (a) unauthorized access, including so-called "hacking" and other unlawful activities; and (b) unauthorized disclosure, use, and dissemination of personal identification information regarding minors.

Inappropriate Network Usage Supervision and Monitoring

* The employees in Lexington School District Four have a responsibility and obligation to take all reasonable measures to protect children and provide a safe online environment.

* Internet safety training is to be provided to minors that address:

• Appropriate online behavior
• Cyberbullying awareness and response
• Social networking sites
• Chat rooms

* It shall be the responsibility of all members of the Lexington School District Fourstaff to supervise and monitor usage of the online computer network and access to the Internet in accordance with this policy and the Children's Internet protection Act.

* Procedures for the disabling or otherwise modifying any technology protection measures shall be the responsibility of the Director of Technology or designated representatives.

CIPA DEFINITION OF TERMS:

TECHNOLOGY PROTECTION MEASURE.

The term "technology protection measure" means a specifictechnology that blocks or filters Internet access to visual depictions that are:

1. OBSCENE, as that term is defined in section 1460 of title 18, United States Code;

2. CHILD PORNOGRAPHY, as that term is defined in section 2256 of title 18, United States Code; or

3. Harmful to minors.

HARMFUL TO MINORS.

The term "harmful to minors" means any picture, image, graphic image file, or other visual depiction that:

1. Taken as a whole and with respect to minors, appeals to a prurient interest in nudity, sex, or excretion;

2. Depicts, describes, or represents, in a patently offensive way with respect to what is suitable for minors, an actual or simulated sexual act or sexual contact, actual or simulated normal or perverted sexual acts, or a lewd exhibition of the genitals; and

3. Taken as a whole, lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value as to minors.

SEXUAL ACT; SEXUAL CONTACT. - The terms "sexual act" and "sexual contact" have the meanings given such terms in section 2246 of title 18, United States Code.

Appropriate Use Policy for Computers and Network Resources

It is the belief of the Lexington School District Four that the use of technology for the purpose of information acquisition, retrieval, manipulation, distribution and storage is an important part of preparing children to live in the 21st century. The District further believes that a "technology rich" classroom can significantly enhance both the teaching and learning process. This technology includes digital hardware, software, local and wide area networks and access to the Internet. Due to the complex nature of these systems and the magnitude of information available via the Internet, Lexington School District Four believes guidelines regarding acceptable and appropriate use are warranted in order to serve the educational needs of students.

It shall be the policy of Lexington School District Four that the school system shall have in continuous operation, with respect to any computers belonging to the school having access to the Internet:

1. A qualifying "technology protection measure," as that term is defined in Section 1703(b)(1) of the Children's Internet Protection Act of 2000; and

2. Procedures or guidelines developed by the superintendent, administrators and/or other appropriate personnel which provide for monitoring the online activities of users and the use of the chosen technology protection measure to protect against access through such devices to visual depictions that are (i) obscene, (ii) child pornography, or (iii) harmful to minors, as those terms are defined in Section 1703(b)(1) and (2) of the Children's Internet Protection Act of 2000. Such procedures or guidelines shall be designed to:

a. Provide for monitoring the online activities of users to prevent, to the extent practicable, access by minors to inappropriate matter on the Internet and the World Wide Web;

b. Promote the safety and security of minors when using electronic mail, chat rooms, and other forms of direct electronic communications;

c. Prevent unauthorized access, including so-called "hacking," and other unauthorized activities by minors online;

d. Prevent the unauthorized disclosure, use and dissemination of personal identification information regarding minors; and

e. Restrict minors' access to materials "harmful to minors," as that term is defined in Section 1703(b)(2) of the Children's Internet Protection Act of 2000.

The district's technology resources are provided for educational purposes that promote and are consistent with the instructional goals of the Lexington School District Four Educational System. Use of computers and network resources outside the scope of this educational purpose is strictly prohibited. Students and employees accessing network services or any school computer shall comply with the district's appropriate use guidelines.

The district reserves the right to monitor, access, and disclose the contents of any user's files, activities, or communications.

It must also be understood that the Internet is a global, fluid community, which remains largely unregulated. While it is an extremely valuable tool for educational research, there are sections that are not commensurate with community, school, or family standards. It is the belief of the District that the Internet's advantages far outweigh its disadvantages. Lexington School District Four will provide an Internet screening system which blocks access to a large percentage of inappropriate sites. It should not be assumed, however, that users are completely prevented from accessing inappropriate materials or from sending or receiving objectionable communications.

Additionally, access to the Internet and computer resources is a privilege, not a right. Therefore, users violating Lexington School District Four Acceptable Use and Internet Safety policy shall be subject to revocation of these privileges and potential disciplinary action.