ADMINISTRATIVE REGULATION - 4040
The Irvine Unified School District (District) authorizes District employees to use technology owned or otherwise provided by the District as necessary to fulfill the requirements of their position. The use of District Technology is a privilege permitted at the District's discretion and is subject to the conditions and restrictions set forth in applicable Board Policies, Administrative Regulations, applicable school policies and this Acceptable Use Agreement - Employee. The District reserves the right to suspend user’s access at any time, without notice, for any reason.
The District expects employees to use technology responsibly and ethically, demonstrating professionalism, mutual respect and civility in all digital interactions. The District may place reasonable restrictions on the resources, equipment, and/or information that employees may access.
Definitions
District Technology includes, but is not limited to, equipment, software, online resources, infrastructure, communication systems, and future technological innovations.
Employee Obligations and Responsibilities
Employees are expected to use District Technology safely, responsibly, and for work-related purposes. Any employee who is issued or authorized to use District Technology is responsible for its care and proper use at all times. Employees shall protect confidential information, including but not limited to their online service accounts, logins and passwords. Employees shall not share their assigned online services account information, logins, passwords, or other information used for identification and authorization purposes, and shall use District Technology only under the account to which they have been assigned.
Employees are prohibited from using District Technology for improper purposes, including, but not limited to:
1. Create, contribute to, reproduce, access, post, display, or otherwise use material that is discriminatory, libelous, defamatory, obscene, sexually explicit, or disruptive.
2. Bully, harass, intimidate, or threaten students, other employees, or other individuals.
3. Disclose, use, or disseminate personal identification information (such as name, address, telephone number, or other personal information) of students, another employee, or other individuals. Post or share student images, videos or work without appropriate consent.
4. Infringe on copyright, license, trademark, patent, or other intellectual property rights.
5. Advertise services or products not approved by the District or engage in commercial activities.
6. Disrupt or harm District Technology.
7. Impede District operations and/or the ability of students and/or employees to access or use District Technology, except as necessary to support student learning.
8. Install unauthorized software on District Technology.
9. Purchase, use, or encourage student use of technology resources that are not District approved.
10. Use or encourage student use of any online resource that requires unique student logins, and/or collects or stores students’ personally identifiable information without adhering to District privacy policies, including obtaining parent permission or confirming an approved Data Privacy Agreement is in place.
11. Access or modify user accounts, systems, or data unrelated to approved educational activities, or attempt to bypass technology or security protection measures.
12. Create, contribute to, or distribute content that is false or misleading. Create or alter content to impersonate or misrepresent an individual or institution.
13. Misrepresent the authenticity or originality of work product.
14. Engage in or promote any practice that is unethical or violates any law or Board Policy, Administrative Regulation, or District practice.
Privacy
District Technology, including content and correspondence created in the course of District operations, is the property of the District. Employees may not share, reproduce, or distribute District Technology resources without approval.
Employees have no reasonable expectation of privacy in use of District Technology. The District reserves the right to monitor employee use of technology within the jurisdiction of the District without advance notice or consent. The District reserves the right to access, copy, edit or delete any records as necessary for the continuity of District operations or to fulfill a lawful request.
District Devices
District Technology may be issued to employees to fulfill the requirements of their position. Upon separation from the District or request by District administration, employees shall return District Technology, including but not limited to equipment issued to them by the District, equipment purchased with grant funds, and equipment donated to the school or program. Should the assigned technology be damaged, lost or stolen due to misuse or negligence, the cost of replacement shall be the responsibility of the employee.
Personally Owned Devices
If an employee uses a personally owned device to access District Technology or conduct District business, they shall abide by all applicable Board Policies, Administrative Regulations, this Acceptable Use Agreement and any additional applicable school policies. Any such use of a personally owned device that is being used to conduct District business may subject the contents of the device and any communications sent or received on the device to disclosure pursuant to a lawful subpoena or public records request.
The District will not be responsible for an employee's personal device which is brought on campus or to a school activity and is lost, stolen, or damaged.
Online Safety
The District takes measures to promote student and employee safety and prevent access to inappropriate or harmful content while using District Technology. Employees are responsible for reviewing online instructional resources and supervising student use of District Technology in an instructional setting. The District employs technology systems to filter online content and enhance security. Although the District makes its best effort to protect staff and students online, the District is not responsible for the failure of any technology protection measures.
While using technology, employees must establish and maintain age-appropriate boundaries with students and are expected to interact in a professional, moral, and ethical manner as referenced in Board Policy 4119.21: Professional Standards - Appropriate Staff Interaction with Students, and the corresponding Administrative Regulation.
Reporting
If an employee becomes aware of any security problem (such as any compromise of the confidentiality of any login or account information), inappropriate use of District Technology, or violation of this Agreement or related policies, they shall immediately report such information to the appropriate District administrator.
Consequences for Violation
Violations of the law, Board Policy, Administrative Regulation, applicable school policy or this Agreement may result in suspension or termination of an employee's access to District Technology and/or discipline, up to and including termination. In addition, violations may be reported to law enforcement agencies as appropriate. The District may take any reasonable or necessary steps to preserve the availability of technology resources and access for educational use.
Adopted: May 2, 2023
Revised: April 19, 2024