Know the Law: Technology Use Practices

Early in January 2007, the Federal Government published a new law defining an employer's responsibilities regarding use of the employer's technological resources. One provision of that law requires employers to archive emails sent and received over the employer's system. This definition of employer includes school districts.

This law has critical significance for SBTA members (and all other Union members) in the District. While technology can aid and assist in making the exchange of information and communication more effective, the new requirement to store those exchanges can be both helpful and dangerous to employees.

SBTA advises our members to recognize some tips for protecting themselves. These are reflected below:

1. The computers, phone lines, DSL lines, servers, and websites operated by the District are the property of the San Bernardino School District. As such, District management has access and responsibility to ensure that they are being used for purposes properly prescribed by the District.
2. SBTA members should not be using District email or private email accessed through District equipment and network connections for personal reasons - that is, those conversations which one would not hold in public.
3. Conversations in emails which reflect critical attitudes about other persons, including management, should be very professional in tone, content and purpose.
4. SBTA members are adult and, as such, may have interests which are considered to be outside the parameters of propriety by some other adults (e.g., exploring questionable websites). These individuals MUST NEVER use District equipment to engage in these activities. The potential for loss of job, serious discipline, loss of credential, or any combination thereof, is powerful.
5. Bringing personal computers into school and connecting them to the District's system does not represent protection because the network and all usage of the network are the property of the District.

Current School Board Policy, adopted February 20, 2007, states clearly that, "The Superintendent or designee may monitor the District's technological resources, including email and voice mail systems, at any time without advance notice or consent."

SBTA strongly encourages our members to use caution in all usages of the District's technology. Your job could depend on it!

Thanks to Rebecca Harper the President of SBTA (San Bernardino Teachers Assoc.)