Introduction
It is the policy of Rio Rancho Public Schools to: (a) prevent, to the extent practical, user access or the transmission over its computer network, of inappropriate material via Internet, electronic mail, or other forms of direct electronic communications; (b) prevent, to the extent practical, unauthorized access and other unlawful online activity; (c) prevent, to the extent practical, unauthorized online disclosure, use, or dissemination of personal identification information of minors; and (d) comply with the Children’s Internet Protection Act
[Pub. L. No. 106-554 and 47 USC 254(h)].

Definitions
Key terms are as defined in the Children’s Internet Protection Act

Access to Inappropriate Material
Rio Rancho Public Schools believes that staff supervision, an acceptable use procedure, electronic monitoring of Internet activity, and the use of technology protection measures are all parts of a comprehensive plan to protect students from inappropriate materials.

To the extent practical, technology protection measures (or “Internet filters”) shall be used to block or filter Internet access to inappropriate information, or other forms of electronic communications, deemed inappropriate.

Specifically, as required by the Children’s Internet Protection Act, blocking shall be applied to visual depictions of material deemed obscene or child pornography, or to any material deemed harmful to minors.

Subject to staff supervision, technology protection measures may be disabled or, in the case of minors, minimized only for bona fide research or other lawful purposes.

Inappropriate Network Usage
To the extent practical, steps shall be taken to promote the safety and security of users of the Rio Rancho Public Schools online computer network when using electronic mail and other forms of direct electronic communications. Rio Rancho Public School computer resources will not be used with chat rooms or instant messaging.

Specifically, as required by the Children’s Internet Protection Act, prevention of inappropriate network usage includes: (a) unauthorized access, including so-called ‘hacking’, and other unlawful activities; and (b) unauthorized disclosure, use, and dissemination of personal identification information regarding minors.

Supervision and Monitoring
It shall be the responsibility of all members of Rio Rancho Public Schools staff to supervise and monitor usage of the online computer network and access to the Internet in accordance with this policy and the Children’s Internet Protection Act.

Procedures for the disabling or otherwise modifying of any technology protection measures shall be the responsibility of the Executive Director, Information Technology, or the designated representatives.

Reference: Policies 475, 476, 477, 478

Rio Rancho Public Schools

Adopted: June 23, 2003