With the spread of telecommunications throughout the modern work place, the Board recognizes that employees will shift the ways they share ideas, transmit information, and contact others. As staff members are connected to the global community, their use of new tools and systems brings new responsibilities as well as opportunities.

In general, employees are expected to communicate in a professional manner consistent with state laws governing the behavior of school employees and with federal laws governing copyrights. Electronic mail and telecommunications are not to be utilized to share confidential information about students or other employees.

The network is provided for staff to conduct research and communicate with others. Communications over the network are often public in nature; therefore, general rules and standards for professional behavior and communications will apply.

Technology/Internet access is provided as an accessory to augment and enhance the efficiency as well as the overall performance of the employee’s duties.  The employee shall be accountable to his/her immediate supervisor in the use of technology.

The following behaviors are not permitted on district networks:

1. Providing anyone with legally restricted or confidential information on students or employees
2. Sending or displaying offensive messages or pictures
3. Assisting a campaign for election of any person to any office or for the promotion of or opposition to any ballot proposition
4. Using obscene language
5. Harassing, insulting or attacking others
6. Engaging in practices that threaten the network (e.g., loading files that may introduce a virus; downloading programs or installing any software)
7. Violating copyright laws
8. Using others' passwords
9. Trespassing in others' folders, documents, or files
10. Employing the network for commercial purposes
11. Day trading or gambling
12. Conducting union business unless authorized by the Superintendent
13. Promoting, supporting or celebrating religion or religious institutions
14. Connecting personal electronics through an Ethernet connection.  This includes, but is not limited to laptops, cell phones, IPADs, PDA’s or other devices not provided for use by the Toms River Regional School District
15. The circumvention of the filtering policy by connecting personal electronics through wireless access or other data networks not authorized for use by the TRRS District

The Superintendent shall devise regulations, including forms and procedures to implement this policy.

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