The Rome City School District will enforce the following administrative procedures. Although some specific examples of prohibited uses by students and employees are stated, they are intended as illustrations only and do not purport to be an all-inclusive list of inappropriate behaviors. Failure to comply with these administrative procedures shall be deemed grounds for revocation of privileges, potential disciplinary action and/or appropriate legal action for both students and staff.

Internet: any and all electronic information exchange, storage, or retrieval systems including, but not limited to, all hardware, software, e-mail, Internet, fax machines, local-area networks, wide-area networks, and electronic tools.

User: any student or employee participating in the Internet activity. This includes a primary participant actually addressing a particular keyboard and monitor and any secondary participants (observers actively involved in the Internet activity along with the primary participant.

I. ACCEPTABLE USE
Access to the school's Internet is provided for educational purposes and research consistent with the school system's educational mission and goals. Students/ parent(s)/legal guardian(s) shall be required to sign the Internet Agreement Form allowing their students to access the Internet.

All students shall also be required to sign said form affirming that they have read and understand the administrative procedure on "Appropriate Use of the Internet" and understand the consequences for the violation of said administrative procedure.

II. PRIVILEGES
The use of the school system's Internet is a privilege, not a right. Inappropriate use of the Internet by a user may result in the cancellation of those privileges. The principal, or designee(s), shall make all decisions regarding whether or not a user has violated these procedures and may deny, revoke, or suspend access at any time.

III. UNACCEPTABLE USE
The user is responsible for all his/her actions and activities involving the Internet. Examples of prohibited conduct include but are not limited to the following:

A. Accessing, sending, or posting communications that are:

1. damaging to another's reputation,
2. abusive,
3. obscene,
4. sexually oriented,
5. threatening,
6. contrary to the school's policy on harassment,
7. harassing, or
8. illegal.

B. Using the Internet for any illegal activity, including violation of copyright or other contracts or transmitting any material in violation of U.S. and State regulations;

C. Using the Internet for private financial or commercial gain;

D. Wastefully using resources;

E. Utilizing any software having the purpose of damaging the school unit's system or other user's system;

F. Gaining unauthorized access to resources or entities;

G. Invading the privacy of individuals;

H. Using another user's account or password;

I. Posting material unauthorized or created by another without his/her consent;

J. Posting anonymous messages;

K. Using the Internet for commercial or private advertising;

L. Forging of electronic mail messages;

M. Attempting to read, delete, copy, or modify the electronic mail of other system users and deliberately interfering with the ability of other system users to send/receive electronic mail;

N. Using the Internet while access privileges are suspended or revoked; and

O. Using the Internet in a fashion inconsistent with directions from teachers and other staff and generally accepted Internet etiquette.

IV. STAFF SUPERVISION
Staff members should become familiar with this procedure and should enforce the rules concerning appropriate use when their duties include supervision of students using the Internet. When in the course of their duties staff members become aware of student violation of this policy, they should correct the student and address the matter in accordance with this procedure and the school's general disciplinary policies and procedures.

V. INSTALLING SOFTWARE
Donated software requires a letter of transmittal stating that the software is no longer used by the individual making the donation and verifying that the software is transferable. All software, new and transferred, must be installed with Rome City Schools as the owner and Rome Board of Education as the organization.

VI. COMPENSATION
The user shall be responsible for compensating the school system for any losses, costs, or damages incurred by the school relating to or arising out of any user violation of these procedures.

VII. SECURITY
Internet security is a high priority. If a user identifies or perceives a security problem or a breach of these responsibilities on the Internet, the user must immediately notify the principal, his/her designee OR other appropriate staff. The user must not demonstrate the problem to other users.

VIII. VANDALISM
Vandalism will result in cancellation of privileges and other disciplinary action. Vandalism is defined as any malicious attempt to harm or destroy the school system's equipment or materials, data, the Internet, or agency. This includes but is not limited to the uploading or creation of computer viruses.

IX. CHARGES
The Rome Board of Education assumes no responsibility for any unauthorized charges or fees including but not limited to long distance charges, per minute surcharges, and/or equipment or line costs.