This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Politics & Government

Nazareth School Board Adopts Revised Internet Policy

The decision to look into individual computer usage will be made by the district's technology department manager, and only with the approval of the superintendent, says Superintendent Dennis Riker.

The Nazareth School Board adopted a revised policy for Internet usage on district computers at Monday's school board meeting.

The revised policy -- in the PDF document attached to this article -- passed unanimously, but not before the board's most outspoken member peppered his colleagues and Superintendent Dennis Riker with questions about how it will be enforced.

Chris Miller -- who last month fought and lost a one-man battle to revise the district's dress code -- repeatedly asked how district officials will enforce provisions of the policy that call for “appropriate” usage of the district-wide computer network.

Find out what's happening in Nazarethwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“There are several ways we can do that,” Riker said. “If we have good reason… we will look to be sure an individual's Internet usage and e-mail usage are appropriate.”

The decision to look into individual computer usage will be made by the district's technology department manager, and only with the approval of the superintendent, Riker added.

Find out what's happening in Nazarethwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

District officials do not plan to randomly check individual computer usage, barring a complaint or probable cause for suspicion, Riker said.

He also noted that the computer usage policy is included in the district's student handbook, and students sign a form that attests they read the policy.

“How can we be sure they really read the policy?” Miller asked.

Following the discussion, the board approved the revised computer usage policy 8-0 via unanimous voice vote. Board member Maurice Heller was absent.

In other business: The board authorized the administration to enter into an agreement with Movie Licensing, USA, for five years of public performance copyright coverage to students at all schools in the district.

That covers any potential liability issues if a film or movie shown at a district school inadvertently violates a copyright, said district solicitor Gary Brienza.

The five-year agreement will cost the district $6,064.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?