Mechanicsburg Area School District Internet communications policy ...

The new generation of communicating through blogs and social media is requiring schools to develop new regulations and guidelines to deal with the likes of Facebook, Twitter and the explosion of blogs populating the Internet.
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Mechanicsburg Area School Board has begun reviewing a new policy on social media as well as revised policies on the use of electronic communication devices and communications and information systems.
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Until late last year, Mechanicsburg did not allow students to use their own electronic devices in district classrooms. But it began a pilot project at the high school that would allow a small group of students to use their own wireless devices to connect to the district?s student wireless network for instructional purposes only.
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They don?t have access to Twitter or Facebook.
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Smartphones are not allowed in the pilot program because students would be free to bypass the filter in place in the student network and have unfiltered access through 3G and 4G networks.
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Under the social media policy, the school board would establish rules for the use of social media by students, employees and guests.
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The district would have the right but not the duty to inspect, review or retain electronic communication created, sent, displayed, received or stored on or over the district?s communication and information systems, a user?s personal computer or another entity?s computer when taken to a district location.
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The policy notes that users should expect no right to privacy and are accountable or the content of the communications that they state or post on social media sites.
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There can be no use of the name or logo of the Mechanicsburg Area School District in any form on any social media unless approved by the superintendent.
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Users cannot use their personal computers, devices, services, systems and networks during the time they are required to be fulfilling their work, class time or volunteer requirements. The school district blocks all commercial social media sites on its computers, devices, servers, networks and systems, therefore users may not use commercial social media unless approval has been granted by the superintendent.
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The policies will be up for a first reading at the board?s May 22 meeting and could be approved at the June 12 meeting.

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