Comal ISD District Web Site - Purchasing Department

This computer is the property of the COMAL ISD. It is for authorized use only. Users (authorized or unauthorized) have no explicit or implicit expectation of privacy. Any or all uses of this system and all files on this system may be intercepted, monitored, recorded, copied, audited, inspected, and disclosed to authorized sites, COMAL ISD, and law enforcement personnel. By using this system, the user consents to such interception, monitoring, recording, copying, auditing, inspection, and disclosure at the discretion of COMAL ISD. Unauthorized or improper use of this system may result in administrative disciplinary action and civil and criminal penalties of the Texas Penal Code, Title 7, Chapter 33 Section 33.02 (a). By continuing to use this system you indicate your awareness of and consent to these terms and conditions of use. LOG OFF IMMEDIATELY if you do not agree to the conditions stated in this warning.

You are being given access to the District’s electronic communication system. Through this system, you will be able to communicate with other schools, colleges, organizations, and people around the world through the Internet and other electronic information systems/networks. You will have access to hundreds of databases, libraries, and computer services all over the world. With this opportunity comes responsibility. It is important that you read the Guidelines for Acceptable Use of Comal Independent School District Technology Resources, and the agreement form.

Inappropriate system use will result in the loss of the privilege to use this educational and administrative tool. Please note that the Internet is a network of many types of communication and information networks. It is possible that you may run across some material that you find objectionable. While the District will use filtering technology to restrict access to such material, it is not possible to absolutely prevent such access. It will be your responsibility to follow the rules for appropriate use.

RULES FOR APPROPRATE USE

The account is to be used only for educational and administrative purposes
You will be held responsible at all times for the proper use of your account, and the District may suspend or revoke your access if you violate the rules.

Using the system for any illegal purpose
Disabling or attempting to disable any Internet filtering device
Encrypting communications to avoid security review
Borrowing someone’s account without their permission
Downloading or using copyrighted information without permission from the copyright holder
Intentionally introducing a virus to the computer system
Posting messages or accessing materials that are abusive, obscene, sexually oriented, threatening, harassing, damaging to another’s reputation, or illegal
Wasting school resources through the improper use of the computer system.
Gaining unauthorized access to restricted information or resources

Suspension of access to the system
Revocation of the computer system account; or
Other disciplinary or legal action, in accordance with the District policies and applicable laws.

All classroom teacher computers and some administrative computers allow access to the local hard drive for installing software. This access does not mean that personal software should be installed on district computers. On occasion, as we need to reformat hard drives, (which completely erases all contents of the drive.) A technology department technician will reinstall all productivity software that is consistent throughout the district. The technology department will not reinstall personal copies of software that have been installed on local hard drives nor will they retrieve personal data files. Please keep any installation disks for preview software or specific school-purchased software in an identified location at your campus should the need for reinstallation arise. You are personally responsible for making backups of any data files that are stored on your local hard drive.

Computer Software

The current configuration on district computers does not allow unauthorized software installation. Unauthorized software installation may affect network and machine performance adversely and is prohibited by the Guidelines for Acceptable Use of Comal Independent School District Technology Resources.

To ensure that software will not affect the current network configuration adversely, the following guidelines should be used when you want to purchase software not listed in the technology approved software catalog.

Contact the technology department to determine if another campus has purchased and installed the program. This will prevent repeated orders of programs that have been determined unsuitable for our network environment. The technology department and the curriculum supervisor responsible for the subject area, prior to purchase, must approve all network software
Prior to installation on any campus, the campus computer facilitator must be consulted.
If the program is new to the district, send a program specification sheet to the technology department prior to purchasing. Additionally, send a description of the computers on which the program will be used.
All network software purchases must be delivered to the technology department for installation.

If a software program is determined to be unsuitable for the network it will not be installed. The campus will need to make arrangements to return the software for a refund, or replacement with stand-alone equivalents.

Our goal is to promote the use of appropriate, innovative software whenever possible. These guidelines will insure that the required support and installation process is in place before funds are expended.

Software will be installed only when there is documentation showing that the software purchase has gone through the process referenced above and that proper licensing has been purchased. Software purchased by staff using personal funds will be subject to all district guidelines. The documentation and license must be provided to the technology department or the campus computer facilitator prior to the installation of any personal software.

Computer Hardware

All hardware purchases should be for those items listed in the current technology bid since we have maintenance agreements on those items. For items not listed in the technology catalog, please work with the district technology department.

Absolutely no one except approved vendors, district technicians, and certified computer facilitators are authorized to install computer hardware on any district equipment.
Campus computer facilitators may install hardware on campus systems if they have hardware training through the technology department.
Hardware must be purchased though the current technology bid or with approval by the technology department.
All hardware must be shipped to the technology department with documentation listing campus name and contact.
Campus computer systems may not be modified, upgraded, or replaced with donated equipment without the prior approval of the technology department.
In order to maintain accurate physical inventory campus computer systems may not be moved from one room to another room without the prior approval of the campus technology facilitator.
Campus technology systems may not be moved from one campus to another room without the prior approval of the technology department.

I understand that my computer use is not private and that the District will monitor my activity on the computer system. I have read the Guidelines for Acceptable Use of Comal Independent School District Technology Resources and agree to abide by their provisions. In consideration for the privilege of using the District’s electronic communications system and in consideration for having access to the public networks, I hereby release the District, it’s operators, and any institutions with which they are affiliated from any and all claims and damages of any nature arising from my use of, or inability to use, the system, including, without limitation, the type of damages identified in the District’s policy and administrative regulations.

All classroom teachers are responsible for monitoring students assigned to them who access the district computer network. Students are granted permission to use the network only when the assigned teacher is available to monitor all activities.

Guidelines for Acceptable Use of Comal Independent School District
Technology Resources

The Comal Independent School District provides technology resources to its students and staff for educational and administrative purposes. The goal in providing these resources is to promote educational excellence in the District’s schools by facilitating resource sharing, innovation and communication with the support and supervision of parents, teachers and support staff. The use of these technology resources is privilege, not a right.

With access to computers and people all over the world comes the potential availability of material that may not be considered to be of educational value in the context of the school setting. Comal ISD firmly believes that the value of information, interaction, and research capabilities available outweighs the possibility that users may obtain material that is not consistent with the educational goals of the district.

Proper behavior, as it relates to the use of computers, is no different than the proper behavior in all other aspects of Comal ISD activities. All users are expected to use the computers and computer networks in a responsible, ethical, and polite manner. This document is intended to clarify those expectations as they apply to computer and network usage and is consistent with District Policy.

DEFINITION OF DISTRICT TECHNOLOGY RESOURCES

The District’s computer systems and networks are any configuration of hardware and software. The systems and networks include all of the computer hardware, operating system software, application software, stored text, and data files. The includes electronic mail, local databases, externally accessed databases (such as the Internet), CD-ROM, optical media, clip art, digital images, digitized information, communication technologies, and new technologies as they become available. The District reserves the right to monitor all technology resource activity.

ACCEPTABLE USE

The District’s technology resources will be used only for learning, teaching and administrative purposes consistent with the District’s mission and goals. Commercial use of the District’s system is strictly prohibited.

The District will make training available to all users in the proper use of the system and will make copies of acceptable use guidelines available to all users. All training in the use of the District’s system will emphasize the ethical use of this resource.

Software or external data may not be placed on any computer, whether stand-alone or networked to the District’s system, without permission from the Director of Technology or designee.

1. Copyright: All users are expected to follow existing copyright laws. Related information links are

2. Supervision and permission: A staff member only allows student use of the computers and

3. Attempting to log on or logging on to a computer or email system by using another’s password is

prohibited: Assisting others in violating this rule by sharing information or passwords is unacceptable.

4. Improper use of any computer or the network is prohibited. This includes the following:

Submitting, publishing or displaying any defamatory, inaccurate, racially offensive, abusive, obscene, profane, sexually oriented, or threatening materials or messages either public or private
Using the network for financial gain, political or commercial activity
Attempting to or harming equipment, materials or data
Attempting to or sending anonymous messages of any kind
Using the network to access inappropriate material
Knowingly placing a computer virus on a computer or the network
Using the network to provide addresses or other personal information that others may use inappropriately
Accessing of information resources, files and documents of another user without authorization

SYSTEM ACCESS

Students will have access to the District’s resources for class assignments and research with their teacher’s permission and supervision.
Teachers with accounts will be required to maintain password confidentiality by not sharing the password with anyone.
With the approval of the immediate supervisor, district employees will be granted access to the District’s system.
Any system user identified as a security risk or having violated District Acceptable Use Guidelines may be denied access to the District’s system. Other consequences may also be assigned.
Any system user having been denied access rights may be reinstated with a limited access account to reduce the level of security risk to the system. Limits on this type of account may include time limitations, station access limitations, file access restricts, and a revocation of Internet access privileges.

CAMPUS LEVEL RESPONSIBILITES

Be responsible for disseminating, collecting signed permission forms, and enforcing the District Acceptable Use Guidelines for the District’s system at the campus level.
Ensure that employees supervising students who use the District’s systems provide information emphasizing the appropriate and ethical use of this resource.

INDIVIDUAL USER RESPONSIBILITIES

The following standards will apply to all users of the District’s computer network systems:

The individual in whose name a system account is issued will be responsible at all times for its proper use.
The system may not be used for illegal purposes, in support of illegal activities, or for any other activity prohibited by district guidelines.
System users may not use another person’s system account.
System users are asked to delete electronic mail or outdated files on a regular basis.
System users will be responsible for the care and maintenance of their systems. Maintenance issues should be reported to the campus computer facilitator.
System users will be responsible for following all copyright laws.

VANDALISM PROHIBITED

Any attempt to harm or destroy District equipment or materials, data or another user of the District’s system, or any of the agencies or other networks to which the District has access is prohibited. Intentional attempts to degrade or disrupt system performance may be viewed as violations of district guidelines and, possibly, as a criminal activity under applicable state and federal laws, including the Texas Penal Code, Computer Crimes, Chapter 33. This includes, but is not limited to, the uploading or creating of computer viruses, system break-in utilities such as Sub-7 or system hacking programs.

Vandalism as defined above will result in the cancellation of system use privileges and possible prosecution. The party will be responsible for restitution of costs associated with system restoration, hardware, or software costs.

FORGERY PROHIBITED

Forgery or attempted forgery of electronic messages is prohibited. Attempts to read, delete, copy, or modify the electronic mail of other system users or deliberate interference with the ability of other system users to send/receive electronic mail is prohibited.

INFORMATION CONTENT/THIRD PARTY SUPPLIED INFORMATION

System users and parents of students with access to the District’s system should be aware that use of the system may inadvertently provide access to other electronic communications systems outside the District’s networks that may contain inaccurate and/or objectionable material. The District will maintain an Internet filtering software package to attempt to minimize the access to objectionable material. Any attempt to circumvent the filtering software will be viewed as an attempt to disrupt the system.

A student bringing prohibited materials into the school’s electronic environment will be subject to a suspension and/or a revocation of privileges on the District’s system and will be subject to disciplinary action in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct. An employee knowingly bringing prohibited materials into the school’s electronic environment will be subject to disciplinary action in accordance with the District policies. This could result in loss of credit for the students or termination of employment for employees.

NETWORK ETIQUETTE

User appropriate language: swearing, vulgarity, ethnic or racial slurs, and any other inflammatory language is prohibited.
Pretending to be someone else when sending or receiving messages is prohibited.
Submitting, publishing or displaying and defamatory, inaccurate, racially offensive, abusive, obscene, profane, sexually oriented, or threatening materials or messages either public or private.
Revealing such personal information as addresses or phone numbers of users or others is prohibited.
Using the network in such a way that would disrupt the use of the network by other users is prohibited.

SUSPENSION/REVOCATION OF SYSTEM USER ACCOUNT

The District will suspend or revoke a system user’s access to the District’s system upon violation of District policy and/or administrative regulations regarding acceptable use.

Termination of an employee’s account or of a student’s access will be effective on the date the employee’s supervisor or campus administrator receives notice of user withdrawal or of revocation of system privileges, or on a future date if so specified in the notice.

CONSEQUENCES OF IMPROPER USE

Improper or unethical use may result in disciplinary actions consistent with the existing Student Discipline Policy and, if appropriate, the Texas Penal Code, Computer Crimes, Chapter 33, or other state and federal laws. This may also require restitution for costs associated with system restoration, hardware, or software costs.

DISCLAIMER

The District’s system is provided on an “as is, as available” basis. The District does not make any warranties, whether expressed or implied, including, without limitation, those of fitness for a particular purpose with respect to any services provided by the system and any information or software contained therein. The District uses a variety of vendor-supplied hardware and software. Therefore, the District does not warrant that the functions or services performed by, or that the information or software contained on the system will meet the user’s requirements. Neither does the District warrant that the system will be uninterrupted or error-free, nor that defects will be corrected.

Opinions, advice, services, and all other information expressed by system users, information providers, service providers, and other third party individuals in the system are those of the providers and not necessarily the District.

The District will cooperate fully with local, state, or federal officials in any investigation concerning or relating to misuse of the District’s computer systems and networks.

TERM

This policy is binding for the duration of the student’s enrollment or employee’s employment in Comal ISD.

Electronic Mail and Additional Technology Guidelines for District Staff

Email has become one of the most used communications tools in both our constituents’ homes and their work places. Email is an integral part of all Comal ISD communication and the following points are important and must be followed:
Electronic mail is a privilege not a right. All electronic communication is governed by the Network Access General Use Policy. All terms are covered in the Network Access General Use Policy, including user responsibilities and consequences for policy violations, apply to Email.
The software and hardware that provides us email capabilities has been publicly funded. For that reason, it should not be considered a private, personal form of communication. The contents of any communication of this type are governed by the Network Access General Use Policy.
Incoming email that is misaddressed will remain “undeliverable”. Please be certain that you give out your correct email address. All Internet pages containing list of staff addresses should also contain a disclaimer.
Request for personal information on students or staff members should not be honored via email unless the parent has signed the appropriate form giving the school permission to share this information using the email system. It is critical for a personal contact to be made with any individual requesting personal information if the appropriate release form isn’t on file. This relates particularly to any request for student grades, discipline, attendance or related information. In addition, security information such as username or password should not be sent via email for any reason.
During student contact time in the classroom, staff members should limit use of email to emergency communication only.
Staff members should set aside time at least once a day to check and responds to email messages.
Since email access is provided for school business related use, please do not forward messages that have no educational or professional value. Examples would be any messages that show a cute text pattern or follow a “chain letter” concept. These messages should be deleted and the sender notified that messages of that nature are not appropriate to receive on the district email account.
Attachments to email messages should include only data files. At no time should program files (typically labeled “.exe”) be attached due to software licensing received as attachments over the Internet may include viruses or other very destructive capabilities once they’re “launched” or started. If you receive an attachment like this, delete the mail message immediately without saving or looking at the attachment.
Subscriptions to Internet listservs should be limited to professional digests due to the amount of email traffic generated by general subscriptions. Please use your personal Internet account to receive listserv subscriptions of a general nature, if one is available.
Students will not be issued individual email accounts. For any projects that involve email communication, use either your district account as a facilitator to the activity, or, work with your campus computer facilitator to activate a special project account for a limited time.
Please notify your campus administrator or supervisor if you receive unsolicited email, particularly if it is of a “hate mail” nature. The technology department will attempt to track down the source of the email and prevent you from receiving any additional unsolicited mail.

USER SECURITY RESPONSIBILITIES

Your username and password should be protected from unauthorized use at all time. Do not post any of this information where others can view it.
Do not share your password via email at any time. If a technology representative needs that information, they must request it in person.

Social Networking Etiquette
Tip Sheet

Personal attacks, foul language, violation of privacy or abusive behavior are not allowed.
Spamming and advertisements of any type are not allowed.
Programs such as scripts, worms or Trojan horses will not be tolerated.
Do not post personal information (addresses, phone numbers etc.) on to the forums. All contact should be made through the school. This is for the personal protection of both staff and pupils.
Do not post student pictures in any situation. You would have to verify you have parental permission of each individual that was posted.
Use secure passwords for logins use of capital/lowercase letters in combinations with numbers and symbols are a great way of making a secure password and keeping others from easily guessing your passwords.