The Board of Education recognizes that students must become frequent and proficient users of the technology necessary for 21st century work and communication.  

To that end, the Board encourages prudent and appropriate use of the Internet or other electronic information networks in order for students and staff to participate in distance learning activities, to ask questions of and consult with experts, to communicate with others, and to locate material to meet educational and developmental needs.  

The Internet is a worldwide electronic information network.  There are limitless resources on the Internet. Students will find libraries, government agencies, universities, discussion groups, software, technical information, as well as the millions of people as participants in this worldwide network. 

School library media specialists and teachers have a professional responsibility to work together to identify information appropriate to age and developmental levels of the students they serve.  

In addition, they have the responsibility to help students develop the intellectual skills needed to discriminate among information sources, and to evaluate and use pertinent information to meet their educational goals.  Because the Internet is a "fluid environment," the information available to students is constantly changing; therefore, it is impossible to predict with certainty what information students may access.  Just as the purchase, availability, and use of other media does not constitute endorsement of their contents by the district, neither does making electronic information available to students imply endorsement of that content.    

The superintendent shall develop and distribute a Code of Conduct (which can be modified as technology evolves) to govern access to, and use of, electronic information networks.  At a minimum this Code of Conduct must provide that use of the Internet or other electronic networks will be conducted in accordance with applicable statutes and regulations regarding copyright and technology use.  

Distribution of the Code of Conduct shall be made to all students and parents and they will be asked to sign a "User Agreement" complying with the guidelines outlined within the Code of Conduct.       

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