The district shall use websites to strengthen communication with parents/guardians, staff, and community members; disseminate information regarding district and academic programs and emergency communications; provide educational resources to parents; and to promote district and school-site events, activities, and accomplishments.
(cf. 0440 - District Technology Plan)
(cf. 0510 - School Accountability Report Card)
(cf. 1100 - Communication with the Public)
(cf. 1112 - Media Relations)
(cf. 6020 - Parent Involvement)
Content Guidelines
District and school websites shall provide current and useful information regarding district programs, activities and operations. Such information shall be appropriate for both internal and external audiences.
The content of websites may include, but not be limited to, district or school news, mission and goals, agendas and minutes of the Governing Board meetings, policy information, messages from the Board or administrators, information about curriculum and instruction, school calendars, student projects, school clubs and activities, lunch menus, transportation schedules, school map, school handbook, parent conferences, educational resources, links to other educational sites and contacts for further information.
The posting on district or school websites of links to other online platforms is permissible if the content of linked sites is academic in nature, supports the district's educational mission, and is consistent with the district's policies and regulations. The district is not responsible for the content of external websites.
The use of district or school logos requires the express written permission of the Superintendent or designee.
Students, staff or other individuals may not use district or school websites to provide access to their personal web pages or online services.
(cf. 4040 - Employee Use of Technology)
The district shall not be responsible for the content of websites that are not district approved, but that contain content related to the district or comments on district operations, such as websites created by a parent-faculty organization or a student's or employee's personal website.
(cf. 1230 - School-Connected Organizations)
Users of district and school websites are expected to be aware of the public nature and accessibility of information, which may be considered a public record, subject to disclosure under the California Public Records Act, or other federal or state law. The district expects students and employees who use district or school websites for district-related purposes, to do so solely to support the district's educational mission and in a manner consistent with applicable law, Board policies, regulations, and Technology Use Agreements.
The Superintendent or designee shall make the information contained in the School Accountability Report Card accessible on the district's website and shall ensure that such information is updated annually. (Education Code 35258)
(cf. 0510 - School Accountability Report Card)
Student work may be published on a website provided that both the student and his/her parent/guardian provide written permission or the work is part of an existing publication such as a newspaper or school newsletter.
If any copyrighted material is posted on a district or school website, the website shall include a notice crediting the original producer of the material and noting how and when permission to reprint the material was granted.
(cf. 4132/4232/4332 - Publication or Creation of Materials)
(cf. 6162.6 - Use of Copyrighted Materials)
Roles and Responsibilities
Websites must be managed by district employees. Employees assigned as a district or school webmaster shall be responsible for the uploading of material to the websites upon approval of the Superintendent or designee. He/she shall ensure consistency of the material with district standards, regularly check links for accuracy and appropriateness, keep the web server free of outdated or unused files, and provide technical assistance as needed.
The Superintendent or designee may assign additional staff members to conduct an editorial review of all materials submitted for publication on district or school websites and to make corrections as needed in spelling, grammar, and accuracy of content.
The Superintendent or designee shall provide staff development opportunities related to district content guidelines, design standards, and accessibility laws and standards to district communications and technology staff, district and school webmasters, and/or other appropriate staff.
(cf. 4131 - Staff Development)
The Superintendent or designee may block or remove any content from district or school websites at any time without prior notice if the content is inappropriate; in violation of any agreements, terms, policies, procedures, or regulations established by the district or the social media provider; or whenever the district deems it in its best interest to do so, provided the decision is based on viewpoint-neutral considerations.
Reporting Content Violations
Users are encouraged to report to the Superintendent or designee any inappropriate content or any content that violates Board policies, procedures, or Technology Use Agreements that is posted on district and school websites.
Security
The Superintendent or designee shall establish security procedures for the district's computer network to prevent unauthorized persons from accessing system-level controls or making changes to content of District and school websites.
Regulation NEWPORT-MESA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
approved: April 18, 2017 Costa Mesa, California