Haslett Public Schools provides access to and encourages the use of technology resources for educational purposes. Use of these resources is a privilege and not a right. Users have no reasonable expectation that any information contained on District technology resources is confidential or private. The District makes no warranties of any kind regarding the availability of its technology resources and is not responsible for damages incurred, including but not limited to the loss of data resulting from an interruption of service or the loss of data stored on District technology resources.

The District will designate a system administrator who will manage the system and make final determination as to what is inappropriate use based on the Technology Acceptable Use Policy. The system administrator has the right to access and review all electronic and voice mail communications, computer files, databases, audit trails and any other electronic transmissions contained in or accessed by District technology resources. The system administrator may suspend or close an account at any time for inappropriate use, and the user may face other disciplinary action and/or legal action.

In compliance with the Children’s Internet Protection Act, Haslett Public Schools will implement Internet filtering software intended to block minors’ access to materials that: (a) are obscene, (b) are child pornography, or (c) are harmful to minors or that the District determines to be inappropriate for minors. Staff members will supervise and monitor student use of the Internet, but the District does not guarantee that inappropriate material will not be accessible.

Haslett Public Schools will issue student and staff accounts for Google Apps for Education, an online suite of applications designed for schools that includes email, word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, calendars, web pages and more. While these accounts will be created on servers that are hosted off-site by Google, Haslett Public Schools maintains the ability to manage users and settings like other locally hosted systems to ensure a safe and secure environment for students and staff. The rules contained in this Technology Acceptable Use Policy apply to the Google Apps for Education service as well.

Students are required to rely on their own knowledge, skills, and resources when completing school work. In order to ensure the integrity of the educational process and to promote fair and equal opportunities for all students, except as outlined below, the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Natural Language Processing (NLP) tools is strictly prohibited for the completion of school work. The use of AI/NLP tools, without the express permission/consent of a teacher, undermines the learning and problem-solving skills that are essential to academic success and that the staff is tasked to develop in each student. Unauthorized use of AI/NLP tools is considered a form of plagiarism and any student found using these tools without permission or in a prohibited manner will be disciplined in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct. 

Notwithstanding the preceding, students can use AI/NLP tools in the school setting if they receive prior permission/consent from their teacher, so long as they use the AI/NLP tools in an ethical and responsible manner.

Users may bring personally owned electronic devices (i.e. laptops, tablets, smart phones, etc.) to school and may use them for educational purposes at the discretion of the classroom teacher and/or building principal. The District shall not be liable for the loss, damage, misuse and/or theft of any personally owned electronic device brought to school. The rules contained in this Technology Acceptable Use Policy apply to personally owned electronic devices used at school.

User Responsibilities

Users are responsible for:

• abiding by the rules set forth in this policy pertaining to the use of hardware, software, networks and other District technology resources
• using technology resources for educational purposes only
• maintaining the privacy of their passwords
• refraining from disclosing, using or disseminating personal identification information regarding students over the Internet without parent or guardian authorization
• obtaining permission from the Director of Technology prior to installing, removing, relocating or modifying hardware or software
• maintaining the integrity of the electronic messaging systems (voice, e-mail, etc.), by deleting files or messages if they have exceeded their established limit
• adhering to copyright laws and applicable licensing agreements while using District technology resources
• complying with all other applicable laws, both state and federal, with respect to their use of the District’s technology resources
• payment and all financial obligations associated with the personal purchase of goods or services while using District technology resources
• financial restitution for damages or repairs necessitated by inappropriate use of District technology resources
• damages to their personally owned technology equipment incurred while on district property and any necessary repairs to the equipment

User Restrictions

Users are prohibited from:

• using District technology resources to disrupt the use of technology by others or to infiltrate unauthorized computer systems
• using District technology resources to draft, send, or receive inappropriate communications and material including but not limited to, items which are pornographic, obscene, profane, vulgar, harassing, threatening, defamatory or otherwise prohibited by law
• participating in harassment, discriminatory remarks, bullying or other aggressive behaviors
• logging into or using network accounts of any user other than their own
• using anonymous proxy websites or other methods to bypass the District Internet filter and/or proxy server
• connecting devices (switches, routers, hubs, computer systems, and wireless access points as examples) to the network without receiving the prior consent of the Director of Technology
• using the technology for a “for-profit” business, for product advertisement or political lobbying
• vandalizing District or any other technology resources, including, but not limited to, the creation or intentional receipt or transmission of computer viruses

Consequences of Inappropriate Behavior

Any user who does not comply with the District Technology Acceptable Use Policy will lose technology use privileges. Repeated or severe infractions of the policy may result in permanent termination of privileges. Users violating any of the terms of this agreement may face additional disciplinary action consistent with the disciplinary policies of the school and/or legal action.

Revised July 2024