2022 – Electronic Information System (Networks)
The Board recognizes that the NWESD 189 maintains an electronic communications system (network) which allows unprecedented opportunities for students, staff, and patrons to communicate, learn, access, and publish information. The Board believes that the resources available through this network and the skills that students will safely develop in using them are of significant value in the learning process and student success in the future. These new opportunities also pose many new challenges including, but not limited to, access for all students, age-level appropriateness of material, security, and cost of maintaining ever more elaborate systems. The NWESD 189 will endeavor to ensure that these concerns are appropriately addressed, but cannot insure that problems will not arise.
By the creation of this network, the Board intends only to provide a means for educational activities and does not intend it to be a first-amendment forum for free expression purposes. The NWESD 189 dedicates the property comprising the network, and grants access to it by users, only for the educational and program support activities authorized under this policy and procedures and under the specific limitations contained therein.
To help ensure student safety and citizenship in online activities, all students will be educated about appropriate online behavior, including interacting with other individuals on social networking websites and in chat rooms, and cyberbullying awareness and response.
The Board directs the Superintendent to provide training and procedures that encourage the widest possible access to electronic information systems and networks by students, staff, and patrons, while establishing reasonable controls for the lawful, efficient, and appropriate use and management of the system.
Use of the Internet
The question of Internet safety includes issues regarding the use of the Internet, Internet-ready, and other electronic devices in a manner that promotes safe online activity for children, protects children from cybercrimes, including crimes by online predators and cyberbullying, and helps parents/guardians shield their child(ren) from materials that are inappropriate for minors.
To promote the safe and appropriate online behavior of students and staff as they access material from the Internet, the NWESD 189 will use the following four-part approach. However, given the ever-changing nature of the Internet, the NWESD 189 cannot guarantee that a student will never be able to access objectionable material.
- Network Use Agreement
Any student or staff member using the Internet and/or artificial intelligence from a computer in a NWESD 189 facility must have a valid Network Use Agreement on file. - Filter
All NWESD 189-owned computers in all NWESD facilities capable of accessing the Internet must use filtering software to prevent access to obscene, racist, hateful or violent material. - Supervision
When students use the Internet from NWESD 189 facilities, staff will make a reasonable effort to supervise student access and use of the Internet. If material is accessed that violates standards in the materials selection procedures of the Network Use Agreement, then NWESD 189 staff may instruct the person to cease using that material and/or implement sanctions contained in the Network Use Agreement. - Instruction
All students will be educated about appropriate online behavior, including interacting with other individuals on social networking websites and in chat rooms, and cyberbullying awareness and response.
First Reading: 03/28/01
Second Reading: 04/25/01
Revised: 03/28/12
Revised: 12/10/12
Revised: 08/25/26
Reference:
18 USC §§ 2510-2522
Pub. L. No. 110-385
RCW 28A.310.180
RCW 28A.310.200
RCW 28A.310.340
Cross Reference:
2020
Date Revised: 08/25/26