Otsego Local School District
Bylaws & Policies
 

5136.01 - ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT

While in some instances that possession and use of electronic equipment or devices by a student at school may be appropriate, often the possession and use of such equipment or devices by students at school can have the effect of distracting, disrupting and/or intimidating others in the school environment and leading to opportunities for academic dishonesty and other disruptions of the educational process. Consequently, the Board of Education will supply any electronic equipment or devices necessary for participation in the educational program. Students shall not use or possess any electronic equipment or devices on school property or at any school-sponsored activity without the permission of the principal the classroom teacher coach/advisor.

Examples of prohibited devices include, but are not limited to cameras (photographic and/or video), laptops, personal digital assistants (PDAs), lasers, laser pens or pointers, radios, "boom–boxes", headphones, portable CD/MP3 players, portable TV's, electronic games/toys, or pagers/beepers, other paging devices.

Students are prohibited from using electronic equipment or devices in a manner that may be physically harmful to another person (e.g. shining a laser in the eyes of another student). Further, at no time may any camera or other electronic equipment/device be utilized by a student in a way that might reasonably create in the mind of another person an impression of being threatened, humiliated, harassed, embarrassed, or intimidated. See Policy 5517.01 – Bullying and Other Forms of Aggressive Behavior. In particular, students are prohibited from using a camera or other electronic equipment/device to: (1) transmit material that is threatening, obscene, disruptive, or sexually explicit or that can be construed as harassment or disparagement of others based upon their race, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, or political beliefs; and (2) send, share, view or possess pictures, text messages, e-mails or other materials of a sexual nature (i.e., sexting) in electronic or any other form. Violation of these prohibitions shall result in disciplinary action. Furthermore, such actions will be reported to local law enforcement and child services as required by law.

Students are prohibited from using cameras and other electronic equipment/devices to capture or record test information or any other information in a manner constituting fraud, theft, or academic dishonesty. Similarly, students are prohibited from using cameras and other electronic equipment and devices to capture or record the words (i.e. audio) and/or images (i.e. pictures/video) of any student, staff member or other person in the school or while attending a school-related activity, without express prior notice and explicit consent for the capture and/or recording of such words or images. Using a camera or other electronic equipment/devices to capture or record audio and/or pictures/video of an individual without his/her consent is considered an invasion of privacy and is not permitted, unless authorized by the building principal. Cameras and electronic equipment/devices are expressly banned from and may not be possessed, activated, or utilized at any time in any school situation where a reasonable expectation of personal privacy exists. These locations and circumstances include but are not limited to locker rooms, shower facilities, restrooms, classrooms, and any other areas where students or others may change clothes or be in any stage or degree of disrobing or changing clothes. The building principal has authority to make determinations as to other specific locations and situations where possession of a camera or other electronic equipment/device is absolutely prohibited.

Unauthorized electronic equipment and devices will be confiscated from the student by school personnel and disciplinary action taken.

Students are personally and solely responsible for the care and security of any electronic equipment or devices they bring to school. The Board assumes no responsibility for theft, loss, damage, or vandalism to electronic equipment and devices brought onto its property, or the unauthorized use of such devices.

© Neola 2009