4526.1 Internet Safety Policy

(This policy replaces existing Board of Education policy 5131.2—Computer and Internet Usage.)

The Board of Education is committed to undertaking efforts that serve to make safe for children the use of district computers for access to the Internet and World Wide Web. To this end, although unable to guarantee that any selected filtering and blocking technology will work perfectly, the Board directs the Superintendent of Schools to procure and implement the use of technology protection measures that block or filter Internet access by:

• adults to visual depictions that are harmful, obscene or depict child pornography, and
• minors to visual depictions that are harmful, obscene, or depict child pornography. 

The district will utilize a commercial Internet filter that is designed for schools and is updated on a regular basis. If a teacher finds that the filter has blocked an appropriate, educational Web site, he or she may inform the building's principal, who will then notify, via e-mail, the Director of Technology and Libraries and/or the Coordinator of Information Technology, who will review the website and unblock the site if appropriate. Efforts will be made to accomplish this within 24 hours. All requests shall be subject to secondary review to ensure the site complies with district safety and data privacy standards.  Similarly, if a teacher would like to request that a site be blocked, he or she should inform the building's principal who will then notify, via e-mail, the Director of Technology and Libraries.

The Superintendent, Director of Information Technology and Libraries, and the Director of Programs & Policy shall develop and implement policy that provides for the safety and security of students; monitor the online activities of students using district computers; and restrict student access to materials that are harmful to minors.

In addition, the Board prohibits the unauthorized disclosure, use and dissemination of personal information regarding students; unauthorized online access by students, including hacking and other unlawful activities; and access by students to inappropriate matter on the Internet and World Wide Web. The Superintendent or his or her designee shall establish and implement policies that enforce these restrictions.

The Coordinator of Information Technology designated under the district's Computer Network Acceptable Use Policy shall have the duty to monitor and to examine all district computer network activities to ensure compliance with this policy and accompanying regulation. The Coordinator of Information Technology or his/her designee also shall be responsible for ensuring that students and staff receive training on their requirements.

 All users of the district's computer network, including access to the Internet and World Wide Web, must understand that use is a privilege, not a right, and that any such use entails responsibility. They must comply with the requirements of this policy and accompanying regulation, in addition to generally accepted rules of network etiquette, and the district's Computer Network Acceptable Use Policy and all other board policies and regulations. Failure to comply may result in disciplinary action including, but not limited to, the revocation of computer access privileges.

Ref: Public Law No. 106-554
15 USC §6501–6506 (COPPA)
Education Law §2-d
8 NYCRR Part 121
47 USC §254
20 USC §6801

Approved by the Board of Education:                02/13/07
Approved by the Board of Education:                01/18/18
Revision approved by the Board of Education: 03/15/18
Approved by the Board of Education:                06/18/20
Revision approved by the Board of Education: 01/19/23
Revision approved by the Board of Education: 05/20/26

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