Staff Acceptable Use Agreement for

Please read the following: Your signature is required on the Acceptable Use Agreement for Bridgeton Public School District’s Technology before you are granted access to technology resources.

Educational Purposes

Bridgeton Public Schools provides staff access to the district’s technology resources. These resources include but are not limited to Internet access, email accounts, videoconferencing, computer equipment, and related equipment for educational purposes. The purpose of these resources is to assist in preparing students for success in life and work in the 21st Century by providing them with electronic access to a wide range of information and the ability to communicate with people worldwide. This document contains the rules and procedures for acceptable use of the Bridgeton Public Schools electronic network for staff members.

• The Bridgeton Public Schools’ technology resources have been established for a limited educational purpose.
• The term “educational purpose” includes classroom activities, career development, and limited high-quality self-discovery activities.
• Staff members will not engage in personal attacks, including prejudicial or discriminatory attacks.
• Staff members will not harass another person.
  • Harassment is persistently acting in a manner that distresses or annoys another person. If a person tells a staff member to stop sending messages, they must stop.
• Staff members will not knowingly or recklessly post false or defamatory information about a person or organization.
• Staff members will not use criminal speech or speech while committing a crime, such as threats to the president, instructions on breaking into computer networks, child pornography, drug dealing, purchase of alcohol, gang activities, threats to an individual, etc.
• Staff members will not use inappropriate speech in an educational setting or speech that violates district rules.
• Bridgeton Public School email is for business use only. It is not to be used for sending personal emails, such as personal announcements, solicitation for research projects, items for sale, etc.
• Staff members will not abuse network resources like chain emails or spamming.
• Staff members will not knowingly display, access, or send offensive messages or pictures.
• Staff members will not use Bridgeton Public Schools' technology resources for commercial purposes or offer, provide, or purchase products or services through this network.
• Staff members will not use Bridgeton Public Schools’ technology resources for political lobbying. However, staff members may use the system to communicate with elected representatives and express their political opinions.

Software and Files

• Software is available to staff members as an educational resource. No staff member may install, upload, or download software from the World Wide Web (internet), CD, DVD, or any external device unless written approval from the district technology department is on file.
• Files stored in district systems are treated like other school storage areas, such as file cabinets. Routine maintenance and monitoring of the Bridgeton Public Schools digital systems may lead to the discovery that a staff member has violated this policy or the law. Staff should not expect that files stored on district servers are private. Therefore, the district technology department reserves the right to inspect and/or delete any documents or software that violates district policy.

Technology Hardware

• Laptops, CDs, DVDs, or other external drives, scanners, digital cameras, monitors, desktop computers, keyboards, mice, etc., are property of Bridgeton Public Schools and should not be considered or treated as personal property.
• Hardware and peripherals are provided as tools for staff use for educational purposes.
• Staff members are not permitted to relocate hardware (except for portable devices), install peripherals, or modify equipment settings without the written consent of the district technology department.

Vandalism

• Any malicious attempt to harm or destroy data, the network, or other network components connected to the network backbone, hardware, or software will result in the suspension of network privileges.
• Disciplinary measures in compliance with the district’s discipline code and policies will be enforced.

Plagiarism and Copyright Infringement

• Staff members will not plagiarize articles, books, or any document of any kind found on the Internet.
  • Plagiarism is taking the ideas or writings of others and presenting them as if they were the staff members.
• Copyrighted material will not be placed on any system without the author’s written permission. Permission may be specified in the document on the system or must be obtained directly from the author.
• District policies on copyright will govern the use of material accessed and used through the district system.
• Disciplinary actions will be tailored to meet specific concerns related to the violation and to assist the staff member in gaining the self-discipline necessary to behave appropriately when using district resources.
• Violating the acceptable use policy may lead to restricted access and may also result in disciplinary or legal actions.
• If the violation also involves a breach of other provisions of other schools' rules, it will be handled in a manner described in the school rules.

Social Media Guidelines

Guidelines for the use of social networking sites by school employees:

• Avoid Student Friendships: Do not accept students as friends on personal social networking sites. Decline any student-initiated friend requests, and do not initiate friendships with students.
• Manage Friend Permissions: Understand that individuals classified as "friends" can download and share your information with others.
• Consider Your Audience: Post only what you’re comfortable sharing with students, parents, and administrators. Unlike a blog or website, content on social media may remain accessible even after being removed.
• Maintain Professional Boundaries: Avoid publicly discussing students and colleagues or criticizing school policies or personnel.
• Use Privacy Settings Wisely: Set your profile’s privacy to "only friends." Settings like "friends of friends" or "networks and friends" expose your content to a broader, potentially unknown audience, risking your privacy and that of your family.
• Align with Classroom Conduct: Do not say or do anything online that you wouldn’t do as a teacher in the classroom. Online communications are stored and may be monitored. Establish a clear statement of purpose and outcomes for using any networking tool.
• Set Participant Standards: Define a code of conduct for all participants in your network.
• Avoid Unauthorized Student Images: Do not post images of students unless you have parental release forms on file.
• Control Site Access: Monitor the site’s security settings closely and limit access to approved participants.
• Avoid Inappropriate Content: Refrain from posting defamatory, obscene, proprietary, or libelous commentary.
• Use Caution in Tone and Content: Be mindful of exaggeration, colorful language, guesswork, obscenity, copyrighted materials, legal assumptions, and derogatory remarks.
• Protect Your Professional Role: Consider whether a particular post might impact your teacher or school employee role.
• Understand Reporting Obligations: If content posted on social media meets mandatory reporting guidelines, you must report it in compliance with the law.

Limitations of Liability

• The district makes no guarantee that the functions or the services provided by or through district resources will be error-free or without defect.
• The district will not be responsible for any damage suffered, including but not limited to:
  • The loss of data or interruption of service.
  • Staff members who utilize storage of ANY electronic data are expected to keep appropriately scheduled backups of their work so that such data can be retrieved in the event of a technology malfunction.
• The district is not responsible for the accuracy or quality of the information obtained through or stored on the network.
• The district will not be responsible for financial obligations arising through the unauthorized use of the network.
• If there is reasonable suspicion that a staff member has violated this policy or the law, an individual search may be conducted. This investigation may include reviewing Cloud Storage, Hard Drives, Solid State Drives, or Flash Drives. Searches will be conducted without prior permission but will remain reasonable in scope and directly related to the suspected violation.
• It is presumed that staff members will honor this agreement they have signed. Beyond clarifying the standards outlined in this policy, the district is not responsible for the actions of staff members who violate them.
• The district reserves the right to monitor all activity on this electronic network. Staff members will indemnify the district against any damage caused by the staff members’ inappropriate use of the network.

Unacceptable Uses

Behaviors include but are not limited to the following and are prohibited:

• Staff members will not use technology resources to post or email information that, if acted upon, could cause damage or a danger of disruption.

  Personal Information Safety

• Staff members will be cautious about revealing personal information about themselves, others, or the family of others. Personal information (PII) includes but is not limited to addresses (including home, school, or work), telephone numbers, social security numbers, & financial account numbers.
• The user should recognize also that the work of all users is valuable, therefore:
  • Users will protect the privacy of each other’s profile or storage location by not trying to learn their passwords.
  • Users will not copy, change, read, or use files in another user’s profile or storage location without that user’s prior written consent.
  • Users will not attempt to gain unauthorized access to system programs or computer equipment.
  • Users will not use computer systems to disturb or harass other computer users by sending unwanted mail or other means.
  • Users will not download information onto the storage of any Bridgeton Public School computer or system for permanent storage.

  Cyber Bullying

  Cyber Bullying - As per 2002 New Jersey Law, AB 1874, “the state legislature finds and declares that: a safe and civil environment in the school is necessary for staff/pupils to learn and achieve high academic standards; harassment, intimidation or bullying, like other disruptive or violent behaviors, is conduct that disrupts both a staff/pupil’s ability to learn and a school’s ability to educate its staff/pupils in a safe environment.” In compliance with that law, usage and employment of network systems (data, video, or voice) to harass, intimidate, or bully, which can be described as cyberbullying, is unacceptable. If a staff/pupil feels they are the subject of cyberbullying, the staff/pupil should notify a teacher or other school staff member immediately.

  System Security

• Staff members will not attempt to gain unauthorized access to any portion of the Bridgeton Public Schools electronic network. This includes trying to log in through another person’s account or accessing another person’s folders, work, or files. These actions are illegal, even if only for “browsing.”
• Staff members will not deliberately attempt to disrupt the computer system or destroy data by spreading viruses or other means. These actions are illegal.
• Staff members will immediately notify the system administrator if they have identified a possible security problem or vulnerability. However, staff members should not look for security problems because this may be considered an illegal attempt to gain access.

  Videoconferencing

• With video-conferencing equipment, staff can see, hear, and speak with others (speakers, museum personnel, etc.) in real-time.
• Videoconferencing sessions may be videotaped by district personnel or a participating school involved in the exchange to share the experience with others in or outside our district.

  Staff Rights

• Staff members’ right to free speech applies to communication on the Internet. However, the Bridgeton Public Schools electronic network is considered a limited forum under the law, similar to a school newspaper. Therefore, the district may restrict a staff member’s speech for valid educational reasons. The district will not restrict a staff member’s speech based on a disagreement with the opinions being expressed.
• If there is reasonable suspicion that a staff member has violated this policy or the law, an individual search will be conducted. The investigation will be sensible and related to the suspected violation.

  Due Process

• The district will cooperate fully with local, state, or federal officials in any investigation of illegal activities conducted through the district network.
• If there is an allegation that a staff member has violated the district's acceptable use policy, the staff member will be provided with written notice of the alleged violation. The staff member will then be allowed to present an explanation before a neutral administrator (or to be heard in the manner outlined in the disciplinary code).
  • Written notice may be in the form of an automated email from a digital system intended to assist in monitoring district systems.

  Violations of this Acceptable Use Policy

  Violations of this policy may result in loss of access and other disciplinary or legal actions. A staff member's violation of this policy shall be subject to the consequences as indicated within this policy as well as other appropriate discipline, which includes, but is not limited to:

• Use of district network only under direct supervision
• Suspension of network privileges
• Suspension of computer privileges
• Suspension from work
• Termination and/or legal action and prosecution by the authorities

The school administrators shall determine the consequences for violations of this policy. The superintendent or designee and the board shall determine when school expulsion and/or legal action or actions by the authorities are the appropriate course of action.

Accessing the BPS network without authorization and/or attempting to access, circumvent access controls, alter, or damage any part of the network, computers, data, etc., violates Statute 2C:20-25 and is subject to criminal punishment.

As a user of Bridgeton Public School District’s technology use, I agree to the following rules and provisions:

1. I will only use the computer account provided to me and will take responsibility for protecting it from unauthorized access. I will not give anyone my password and will take steps to prevent others from learning it. If I become aware of attempts to violate or bypass security mechanisms, I will promptly report such attempts to my supervisor.
2. I will respect the privacy of information stored on Bridgeton Public School District’s electronic network. I will not modify, in any way, information that belongs to another person, nor will I attempt to access restricted portions of the network or operating system.
3. I will only use the software the school administration has permitted me to use.
4. I will not install or copy unauthorized software onto the computer or network drive.
5. I agree to abide by any patent, copyright, or license restrictions relating to using the electronic network, products, programs, or documentation.
6. I agree not to copy, disclose, change, or transfer any materials I did not create without the original owner's or copyright holder's express written consent.
7. I agree not to use Bridgeton Public School District’s electronic network to violate the terms of any software license agreement or applicable local, state, or federal laws.
8. I agree not to use Bridgeton Public Schools' electronic network for any purpose other than its intended purpose.
9. Using the district’s Internet connection is a privilege, not a right. Good judgment should be used to access only information having sound educational value. I understand that accessing inappropriate materials will result in the cancellation of my network account. Staff are required to abide by the generally accepted rule of network etiquette:
   1. Any use of the network for commercial or for-profit purposes is prohibited.
   2. Use of the network for personal and private business is prohibited.
   3. Users shall not intentionally seek information on, obtain copies of, or modify files, other data, or passwords belonging to other users or misrepresent other users on the network.
   4. Hate mail, harassment, discriminatory remarks, and other antisocial behaviors are prohibited on the network.
   5. The illegal installation of copyrighted software for district computers is prohibited.
   6. Use of the network to access or process pornographic material, inappropriate text files, or files dangerous to the integrity of the local area network is prohibited.
   7. An administrator, faculty member, or staff member will directly supervise any staff/pupil's Internet “live chat” capabilities.
   8. Use of network systems (data, video, voice) for soliciting or distributing information with the intent to harass, intimidate, or bully which can be described as Cyber Bullying
10. I understand that violating any provision of this agreement will result in punitive action, including loss of access and other disciplinary or legal actions. If appropriate, criminal charges may be sought.

Staff Member Agreement:

Please read the Acceptable Use Agreement for Bridgeton Public School District’s Technology Resources. In accepting an account, you accept the responsibility of using the network responsibly and appropriately. Your signature indicating that you have read and agreed to the guidelines is necessary before an account is issued.

I have read, or have had read to me, and/or have discussed the Acceptable Use Agreement and agree to use technology resources appropriately and responsibly.