Posted: 2/21/07
Use of Internet is a privilege, not a right
 One suggestion for a walking path for community use is above: the dark line running around the new ball fields, going around the track and back to the elementary school. The school board has also tossed around future trail connections that could go all around the perimeter of the school campus for an extended walking opportunity. |
By MaryHelen Swanson
Every student at Rush City High School has an account to use the Internet on school computers.
"The use of the school district system and access to use of the Internet is a privilege, not a right" is a direct statement from district policy #524, soon to be titled "Computer and Internet Use."
The policy was reviewed at the board meeting last week.
The purpose of providing a computer system, which includes Internet access, is to provide for classroom activities, educational research and professional or career development activities.
E-mail is included in the service.
The policy includes a lengthy list of unacceptable uses and the system does have filters.
Superintendent Vern Koepp noted there are three alternatives in the filter system section.
Because Dist. 139 receives certain federal funding, such as e-rate discounts, for purposes of Internet access and connection services, and or receives funds to purchase Internet accessible computers subject to the federal Children's Internet Protection Act, the third alternate is required.
It is the most restrictive of the three, Koepp noted, and the one he recommends for Rush City schools.
It states that the school district will monitor the online activities of minors and employ technology protection measures during any use of the computers by minors and adults.
Students should know, Koepp said, there is not 100 percent privacy.
In addition, parents have the right to investigate or review the contents of their child's files and e-mail files. And parents have the right to request the termination of their child's individual account at any time.
At the beginning of the school year, both student and parents will sign Internet use agreements.
Koepp also pointed to a section on page 7 of the policy that says use of the school district system is at the user's own risk.
"The school district will not be responsible for any damage users may suffer, including, but not limited to, loss, damage or unavailability of data stored on school district diskettes, tapes, hard drives or servers, or for delays or changes in or interruptions of service or misdeliveries or non-deliveries of information or materials, regardless of the cause." Another section of the policy.
Parents have a responsibility in this use also. Parents are responsible for monitoring their student's use of the school district system and of the Internet if the student is accessing the school distinct system from home or a remote location.
Because of the rapid changes in the development of the Internet, the policy calls for an annual review of the district's policy.
In the agreement that is signed by student, parent and supervising staff, there is a reminder that district technology personnel have access to all information, files and e-mail messages on district computers.
The board members will adopt the policy after the second reading at their meeting in March.
A good community service project
Board member Mark Moulton had that light-bulb-over-the-head look as he pondered the idea that creating a walking path on school property would make a great community service project.
In recent discussions about the establishment of two new ball fields to the south of the high school, the board tossed around the idea of a walking path for community use. It actually was an idea revived from a few years ago.
Last week they got some figures from Brent Boelter of Inspec, Inc., with an approximate cost of $30,000-$35,000 for 2,750 linear feet of pathway (see graphic at right).
The project Boelter proposed would involve removing about a foot of topsoil, adding 5-6 inches of a sand/gravel base and another 5-6 inches of ag lime.
But Moulton figures the job could be done by one or a coop of local organizations using a skidsteer and taking about 30 hours of work.
Board member Gwen Goretsas wondered if this was something the people wanted.
Supt. Koepp said perhaps someone could talk to the city's park board.
Board member Scott Friday said he'd talk with them and also with the Lions Club.
Koepp said the district would leave it in as an alternate in the bids for the ball field work. And then we'll see what develops, he said.
In other business, the school board:
• Accepted the resignation of high school science teacher David Bungert. Bungert is on the top of the seniority list in teaching staff. His resignation was accepted by the full board with deep regrets.
• Accepted the resignation of Lori Cook, ECFE instructor and Jennifer Hanna, ECFE instructor; approve a leave request of Heather Schurbon, ECSE/Preschool instructor.
• Accepted the resignation of Katsy Hanson, Project SEEK coordinator through SCRED for 15 years; and approved hiring Kim Gibbons as SCRED director beginning late next fall.
• Approved the school calendar for the 2007-2008 year with school starting Sept. 4 and graduation being June 1, 2008. New to the schedule is a three-day weekend in April. Winter break will be Dec. 21-Jan. 2, and spring break will be March 20-24. The calendar calls for 174 school days for students and 181 for staff.
• Adopted a resolution directing administration to make recommendations for reductions in programs and positions. This is a formality that the board takes every year. Koepp stressed there are no recommendations right now.
• Learned that through a matching fund program with HP, where board member Gwen Goretsas works, she was able to provide the school with three cameras, two flat-panel monitors and a printer.
• Learned from Koepp that the boilers at the elementary school appear to be working well and all paperwork is done to complete a settlement on that issue.
©ECM Post Review
6448 Main Street
North Branch, MN 55056
Telephone: 651-674-7025
Fax: 651-674-7026
E-mail: editor.postreview@ecm-inc.com