Employees may use computers and telecommunications at a variety of levels:

Students may use computers and telecommunications at only two levels:

Any employee of the Garrett County Board of Education who requires access to the CIMS system for financial management (including requisitions and budget tracking) and/or to the CIMS system for student management (including demographics, enrollment, attendance, test data, etc.) must complete the appropriate request form (included with Procedures 474.211). This application, including an authorized signature (principal or supervisor), should be submitted to the Resource Center of the Garrett County Board of Education. Access will be provided only to controlled sections of these programs as authorized on the form.

Users should be aware of the following:

Computer and telecommunications access is available to students and staff in the Garrett County Public Schools. The purpose in providing this service is to promote educational excellence and to further the educational goals and objectives of the Garrett County Board of Education. A wide variety of instructional resources for students and staff are readily available. Computers provide staff and students with tools and utilities to assist in research and preparation of reports, with opportunities for discovery and exploration, and with instructional software to support student learning. Telecommunications expands this access to information sources on external computer networks around the world, including electronic mail, databases, discussion groups, government information, bulletin boards, and the World Wide Web.

With access to computers and people internationally comes the availability of material that may not be of educational value. Staff of the Garrett County Public Schools will "monitor" to the best of their ability students' use of computers and telecommunications in the schools during instructional time, and they will instruct students in the appropriate use of telecommunications. This includes helping students to discriminate among information sources and to be strategic about locating and using information. However, the accuracy, quality, and appropriateness of the information obtained cannot be guaranteed.

The purpose of computer and telecommunications access in the Garrett County Public Schools is to support research, instruction, and maintenance of required records, and to provide access to a wealth of information available worldwide. The use of individual accounts must be consistent with the educational objectives of the Garrett County Board of Education. Use of other organizations' networks or computing resources must comply with the rules appropriate for that network. Transmission of any material in violation of any U.S. or state regulation is prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to, copyrighted material, threatening or obscene material, and material protected by trade secret and confidentiality. Use for commercial activities is not acceptable except with permission of the appropriate school personnel. Use for product advertisement or political lobbying is prohibited. Illegal activities are strictly prohibited. All users will be bound by Board of Education and school policies and procedures and will be held accountable for their actions.

Signatures on the attached agreement indicate that each party who signed has read the terms and conditions carefully and understands their significance. Signing this agreement releases the Garrett County Public Schools from all liability.

The smooth operation of the network relies upon the proper conduct of its users. The use of a school computer account is a privilege, not a right. Inappropriate use will result in a cancellation of these privileges. Based upon the acceptable use conditions outlined in this policy, the system administrators will deem what is inappropriate use, and their decision will be final. If a user violates any of these provisions -

Garrett County Public Schools makes no warranties of any kind, whether expressed or implied, for the service it is providing. Garrett County Public Schools will not be responsible for any damages suffered by a user. This includes loss of data resulting from delays, non-deliveries, mis-deliveries, or service interruptions caused by either the system or a user's own omissions. Use of any information obtained via the computer is at the user's own risk. Garrett County Public Schools specifically denies any responsibility for the accuracy or quality of information obtained through its network.

Security on any computer system is a high priority, especially when the system involves many users. Whenever a security problem is detected, the user must notify a system administrator or teacher. The user must not demonstrate the problem to others. No user is permitted to access another individual's account. No user is permitted to share his/her password with any other individual. Attempts to log in to the system as any other user will result in cancellation of user privileges. Attempts to log in as a system administrator will result in cancellation of user privileges. Any user identified as a security risk or having a history of problems with other computer systems may be denied access. The system administrators reserve the right to view the contents of any account without warning to the user.

Each employee who requires access to the administrative system (CIMS) must request that access on the proper form. Access will be limited to the accounts authorized for each user. Students must never be given access to an administrative or CIMS account.

Vandalism will result in cancellation of privileges. Vandalism, in addition to what is listed in the student handbook, is defined as any malicious attempt to harm or destroy data of another user on this or any network. This includes, but is not limited to, the uploading or creation of computer viruses.