1 Tuscola Intermediate School District Technology Plan July 1, 2012 ...

Tuscola Intermediate School District Technology PlanJuly 1, 2012-June 30, 2015Tuscola Intermediate School District1385 Cleaver RoadCaro, MI 48723Gene Pierce, SuperintendentPhone: 989-673-2144Fax: 989-673-5266District Code: 79000Tuscola CountyPlan Contact:Robert Frost, Information Systems CoordinatorPhone: 989-673-5300 ext. 310Fax: 989-673-4228URL: www.tuscolaisd.org/techplan/12-15.pdf1

District Mission Statement:A commitment to serve…a promise to education.Introduction:Tuscola Intermediate School District (TISD) facilities are located in Caro (populationapproximately 4,000), the county seat of Tuscola County in the rural “Thumb” peninsula ofMichigan, which is mostly agricultural farmland. While several small businesses and industriesexist in this area, most people commute to Saginaw, Bay City, Flint or other cities foremployment.Nine K-12 public school districts, ten parochial schools and several home schools exist withinthe TISD borders. The K-12 student enrollment is just under 10,000. Enrollment has declinedeach of the last several years primarily due to the economic issues facing the county and state.There are four buildings on the TISD campus, Tuscola Technology Center (CTE), HighlandPines School (Special Ed.), Transition Center (Special Ed) and an Administrative Building. Thecampus is located on M-24 one mile north of M-81. TISD provides teachers, technology andadministrative support to other smaller off-campus buildings including Betsy’s Place, FowlerCenter, Caro Regional Center, The Lighhouse and Pioneer Work and Learn. TISD also offersspecial education itinerant services and technical support to the local districts. TISD is a memberof REMC10 and acts as the fiscal agent.Technology Vision:The Tuscola Intermediate School District will strive to install and maintain technology that willhave a direct impact on the learning experiences of our students and will assist the local schooldistricts in meeting their local technology goals.Technology Goals:• Finish the implementation of a fiber optic network connecting all schools in the REMC10 region with interconnects to St. Clair RESA, Lapeer ISD, Saginaw ISD and Bay-Arenac ISD.• Work with districts within the region to share and consolidate technologies leveraging thenew broadband network.• Increase the amount of virtual field trips and other distance learning opportunities.• Implement technology that ultimately saves the districts money.• Keep labs and classroom technology as up to date as possible.• Train all staff on technologies that are pertinent to them.• Use the TISD web site to market to and inform the public of our programs and services.2

Technology Planning Team:• Lila Dereen, Building Usage Secretary, Tuscola Technology Center• Robert Frost, Information Systems Coordinator, TISD, Director of REMC 10• Gloria Gainforth, Secretary, Highland Pines School• Amy Hall, Information Systems Secretary, TISD• Tracy Henry, Principal, Highland Pines School• Danielle Hunkins, Information Systems Assistant, TISD• Tom Kuras, Information Systems Assistant, TISD• Shawn Petri, Principal & CTE Director, Tuscola Technology Center• Gene Pierce, Superintendent, Tuscola ISD• Dee Rigg, Audiologist, Highland Pines School• Dallas Schell, Data Specialist, TISDCurriculum integration:As an ISD the uses of technology are extremely broad. Uses range from a secretary doing dailyword processing to a computer driven welding device in the Welding program that integrateswith CAD drawings developed in the Drafting program to assistive/adaptive technology devicesused to help special education students learn to drive. In recent years our special educationdepartment has become heavily involved in the NWEA testing and Compass Learning/E2020curriculum tools. Our CTE programs are also beginning to use Compass Learning/E2020 as wellas KeyTrain more and more.Technology integration in all of the CTE programs offered is almost second nature. The onlyclasses where you might find technology being used for technologies sake are in programs likeComputer Technology Management in which the students are being trained in areas like A+,Network Plus, MCSE etc. In the other classes technology is being used in the context of thecareer training area. As the example in the previous paragraph suggested, computers andnumerous other types of technology are being used throughout. Here are a few more examples:Drafting Program uses numerous types of CAD stations, Visual Imaging Programs use Macsystems for drawing, layout, and design, Marketing has desktop and laptop computers availablefor students to participate in stock market simulations as well as the development of advertisingvideos. There are dozens of other examples that could be listed as well.All CTE programs are aligned with the MDE curriculum standards. All CTE programs alsooperate based on national standards such as NATEF to allow students to successfully passnationally recognized certification exams.In the Special Education area many of the same concepts apply. All staff involved in IEPdevelopment have laptop or desktop computers that can be used to create an electronic IEPdocument. Students with various types of physical and mental handicaps are able to use thecomputer as a communication tool, drivers training aid, and learning device. Over the lastcouple of years, many rooms have been upgraded with electronic whiteboard technology as wellas iPads.3

Another significant role of an ISD is to provide support services to the local school districts. Forthe past several years Tuscola ISD has offered tech support services to local school districts at avery reasonable rate.In an attempt to promote more use of video conferencing and virtual fields trips, TISD has madeour portable polycom unit available at no cost. Information Systems staff are available to helplocal districts find and book a virtual field trip and then the equipment is taken to the localdistrict, setup and tested. While the use of this equipment is still relatively small, it is gainingsome momentum. With the implementation of the broadband network, our biggest roadblock tosuccessful video conferencing will be removed.All staff and most students have Internet access from their classrooms/offices. A distancelearning room exists at TTC that is capable h.323. This room also includes desktop computers toallow for simultaneous room based video conferencing and Internet based research,correspondence, etc. A portable video conferencing unit is also available for use on the TISDcampus as well as in the local school districts as mentioned above.Community involvement is developed in numerous ways. Each building offers an annual openhouse, parent teacher conferences occur multiple times per year and news releases are providedto all local papers on a regular basis. The Tuscola County Advertiser offers a weekly sectioncalled “School Beat” that runs positive stories about school activities. Highland Pines Schooland the Tuscola Technology Center are featured at least monthly in School Beat.Tuscola ISD also believes strongly in the power of a well-designed and content rich web site.There is a web committee on staff that consists of one person per major area (CTE, Special Ed,Instructional Services). This committee meets regularly to plan for future expansion of the website, develop further design ideas and work out any issues they are struggling to overcome withcurrent projects. Members of this committee regularly update the web site as part of theireveryday jobs. It is not uncommon for the web site to be updated multiple times per day.Parent involvement in developing our plans and programs is crucial. Every CTE program has astanding advisory committee that meets a minimum of two times per year. This committeereviews the program curriculum and equipment and recommends changes as necessary. Thecommittee meeting minutes are then used as a guide when developing our technology planespecially as it relates to curriculum integration changes and future technology purchases andstrategies.Parent surveys and other communication tools are used with special education parents. Parentsalso serve on many HPS committees and are always included in IEP and related meetings.Parents and students are able to login to the districts student management system, Skyward,through a web browser from anywhere on the Internet. Once logged in they can see dailyattendance, assignment grades, term and semester grades, lunch balances and other demographicinformation related to their child.4

Parents of children at Highland Pines School are added to the districts School Reach automatedcalling system. This system notifies parents immediately of school closings, delays or otherimportant emergency information. District staff are also in the system and notified of similarevents.Tuscola ISD has a very extensive adult enrichment and GED program. Classes are offered inthe Fall and Spring semesters for High School Completion, Enrichment and GED preparation.The Tuscola Technology Center is a certified GED testing site that trains and tests over onehundred people per year in this area. The Tuscola Technology Center is also an ACT andMicrosoft Office Specialist (MOS) authorized testing center for students and the public to makeuse of.Through the TISD distance learning system, staff and community members are able to takeclasses from Saginaw Valley State University at the TTC building. By taking the classes viadistance learning people are able to save driving between 45 and 120 minutes one way to takethe same classes on campus.We believe that another part of adult literacy is adult access to information. Tuscola ISDpartners with Rawson Memorial Library in Cass City in a wireless network that allows theLibrary very low cost access to Internet services. Tuscola ISD Information Systems staff alsosupport the technology needs at the Rawson Memorial Library. Through this partnership wehave helped the library and historical society develop an online database for a cemetery as wellas an online searchable system for the Cass City area newspapers dating back to the early 1900’s.The timeline for curriculum integration is a very gray area. As you can see from several of theexamples above, curriculum integration already exists throughout the district. Furtherintegration will take place as the training and equipment to be acquired occurs as outlinedthroughout the rest of this document.Professional Development:The Information Systems Department staff provide a significant amount of training to both ISDand LEA staff. Training opportunities are available in one-on-one, small group and lab typeenvironments and may take place mornings, day time or after school.In the 2006/07 school year, TISD administration committed to six one half day training sessionsper year for all clerical staff. This concept has continued annually since 06/07 and will continueindefinitely. A survey is conducted very early in the year to determine skill level and interest ofour current staff to help guide the content of the sessions. Staff are given the opportunity twice ayear to take any of the MOS certification tests that they feel prepared for. Our goal is to bring allstaff up to a minimum baseline level and then enhance everyones abilities from that point.Part of the contract that the teachers have with the district refers to individual professionaldevelopment. Each teacher is guaranteed two additional conference type days per year. In mostcases these days are taken to learn a new curriculum related technology.5

In addition to administration taking part in the professional development that teachers haveavailable, TISD has an annual summer administrative pd day usually in August. This day offersa variety of sessions covering numerous topics and also offers an opportunity for networking.Information Systems Department staff attend monthly meetings of the Thumb EducationalTechnology Professionals (ETP). Many of these meetings include half or full day trainings inaddition to the valuable networking between tech people that occurs.Existing technology infrastructure:• TISD campus is currently connected to a regional fiber network via single-mode fiberwith the closest connecting point being Sanilac ISD• TISD, as a part of the REMC 10/Air Advantage Broadband Project will have a directfiber connection to every LEA in the County as well as to the ISD’s and LEA’s in Huronand Sanilac Counties. This network also interconnects to Bay-Arenac ISD, Genesee ISD,Lapeer ISD, Saginaw ISD, St. Clair RESA.• Fiber connections to the LEA’s and to the REMC 10 ISD’s will be 10Gbit with the ISDacting as a NOC location with a core switch.• All buildings on the TISD campus are connected via multi-mode fiber• Lighthouse School location connected to TISD campus via a district owned wirelessconnection• On the TISD campus, every classroom, office and meeting room is wired with Category 5or above cableo TISD Admin building is 100% Cat 6o Highland Pines School is 100% Cat 6o Technology Center is a combination of Cat 5, 5e and 6o Transition Center is 100% Cat 5e• Each of the off-campus buildings rely heavily on internal wireless access points forconnectivity• On the TISD campus, every port is connected to a Cisco POE capable Switcho TISD Admin building is a combination of 3524-PWR (10/100) and 3750G(10/100/1000) switcheso Highland Pines Schools is 100% 3750G 10/100/1000 switcheso Technology Center is a combination of 3524-PWR (10/100), 3550-T/G(10/100/1000) and 3750G (10/100/1000) switcheso Transition Center is a single 3524-PWR 10/100 switch• Every Cisco 3524-PWR switch contains a gigabyte uplink port connecting to a Cisco3550T or 3750G core switch• All servers and 3550/3750 switches are connected via either copper or fiber running atone gigabit per second. Two key closets at the TTC building are configured asEtherChannel providing an effective throughput of two gigabits per second• All switches and servers are connected to UPS devices• Most servers are HP rack mount devices and centrally located in the Information SystemsDepartment6

• TISD operates several dozen servers in it’s NOC. The majority of the servers arevirtualized using VMWare esxi technology. Those that are not currently virtualized areplanned to be.• PC client machines run either Windows XP Pro or Windows 7 and connect at either100mbps or 1gbps.• All client machines are running Microsoft Office Professional 2003, 2007 or 2010.• All client machines have Internet access• Fortigate Internet content filter installed and shared with Sanilac ISD as well as severalLEA’s as well as Rawson Library.• All client machines are filtered by Internet filter• Internet connections provided by Merit & Air Advantage. TISD currently contracts for100mbps of total Internet bandwidth between the two providers and plans to use a loadbalancing device between the two.• Distance Learning provided by 2 mobile Polycom units and one fixed Polycom unit.• Symantec Endpoint Protection is installed on all servers and client machines andpurchased in a consortium with other REMC 10 districts.• Microsoft ISA server is used as the Internet firewall and caching device• All client machines are behind the firewall• Cisco ip telephony system installed, all classrooms, offices and most meeting rooms haveip phones• All servers are backed up using a Windows 2003 server connected to a SATA raidmanaged by Backup Exec Enterprise Edition. The backup server is located in anotherbuilding on campus, providing off-site backup capabilities to the Tech Center MDF.• Cisco wireless access points in all buildings on campus, combination of 1130b and 1230a/b/g AP’s.• Wireless bridges used to connect to wireless partnersAll new switches acquired will be Cisco brand switches and meet all standards that our existingswitches meet. All new servers will be HP brand servers to allow for continued smoothoperation with our existing equipment.Major technologies to be acquired with timeline and budget information:(Also includes services with significant recurring fees)(All budgeted amounts are estimated)• 2012/2013 fiscal yearo Cash match for REMC 10/Air Advantage Broadband Project, $20,000 one timefee, funding sources: Shared CGS*o Fiber optic network connecting all LEA’s in the County and other ISD’s in theregion, $9 million, funding source: ARRA via REMC 10/Air AdvantageBroadband Project.o Cisco 4500 Series Core Switch with 48 port 10/100/1000 POE line card, dualsupervisor cards, dual power supplies and adequate 10Gbit optics to connect to allTISD LEA’s as well as to other ISD’s in the region. $105,000, funding sources:REMC 10 and E-Rate.7

o Wireless system upgrades to TTC & ISD Admin Building, $3,000, fundingsources: Shared CGS*o Broadband connection to Betsy’s Place, DS3 or Metro Ethernet, $600/month,funding sources: Special Ed.o Merit Internet connection via fiber connection 50 mbps, $15,120, fundingsources: USF, Consortium Partners, General Ed, CTE, Special Edo Air Advantage Internet connection via fiber connection 50 mbps, $13,080,funding sources: USF, Consortium Partners, General Ed, CTE, Special Edo Install natural gas powered generator for broadband equipment, TISD NOCequipment and a few other critical items at HPS and TTC, $20,000, fundingsources: ARRA via REMC 10/Air Advantage Broadband Project, Shared CGS*o Internet connection via DSL to Caro Regional Center, $1,200, funding source:USF and Special Edo Internet connection via wireless connection to Stars Facility, $1,200, fundingsource: Speedconnect EBS Lease Agreement with REMC 10o Cellular service for administrative, technical and some transportation staff,$19,200, funding source: USF, CTE, Special Ed, Gen Edo Maintenance fee renewal for Skyward student and finance, $13,500, fundingsource: Shared CGS*o Implementation of ISD wide Skyward Student & Finance system with supportinghardware, $450,000: Shared CGS, LEA cost share.o Replace a 20% of the Special Ed laptops because of age and disrepair, $20,000,funding source: Special Edo Replace TTC Graphics Lab with 24 new workstations, $20,000, funding source:CTE. (Move current ncomputing PC’s to Ad Design Lab to replace old Macs)o Purchase Adobe CS6 site license, $6,500, shared CGS*o Continue existing Novell SLA agreement for Netware, Zenworks and Groupwise$2,200, funding sources: Shared CGS*o Replace security camera system at HPS with ip based system, $12,000, fundingsource: Special Ed.o Continue All-Data automotive package subscription for TTC Auto related labs,$1,500, funding source: CTEo Purchase 10 iPad’s for use in HPS classrooms, $6,000, funding sources: Grantsand Special Ed.• 2013/2014 fiscal yearo Annual maintenance fee for broadband project, 5,000, funding sources: SharedCGS*o Broadband connection to Betsy’s Place, DS3 or Metro Ethernet, $600/month,funding sources: Special Ed, USF.o Merit Internet connection via fiber connection 100 mbps, $22,000, fundingsources: USF, Consortium Partners, General Ed, CTE, Special Edo Air Advantage Internet connection via fiber connection 100 mbps, $19,000,funding sources: USF, Consortium Partners, General Ed, CTE, Special Edo Internet connection via DSL to Caro Regional Center, $1,200, funding source:USF and Special Ed8

o Internet connection via wireless connection to Stars Facility, $1,200, fundingsource: Speedconnect EBS Lease Agreement with REMC 10o Cellular service for administrative, technical and some transportation staff,$19,200, funding source: USF, CTE, Special Ed, Gen Edo Maintenance fee renewal for Skyward student and finance, $130,000, fundingsource: Shared CGS*, LEA Cost Shareo Replace a 20% of the Special Ed laptops because of age and disrepair, $20,000,funding source: Special Edo Replace Ad Design Lab with 24 new workstations, $20,000, funding source:CTE. (Move current ncomputing PC’s to other classrooms)o Novell or Microsoft SLA agreement for Server O/S and Enterprise E-mail $2,200,funding sources: Shared CGS*o Replace security cameras at TTC with ip based cameras, $8,000, funding source:CTE.o Continue All-Data automotive package subscription for TTC Auto related labs,$1,500, funding source: CTEo Purchase 10 iPad’s for use in HPS classrooms, $6,000, funding sources: Grantsand Special Ed.o Replace 10 office computers at HPS, $10,000, funding source: Special Edo Implement SAN System, $50,000, funding source: Shared CGS* & REMC 10Consortium members cost shareo Replace 6 workstations in Student Services Office, $6,000, funding source: CTEo Replace Drafting lab at TTC, $12,000, funding source: CTE• 2014/2015 fiscal yearo Annual maintenance fee for broadband project, 5,000, funding sources: SharedCGS*o Broadband connection to Betsy’s Place, DS3 or Metro Ethernet, $600/month,funding sources: Special Ed, USF.o Merit Internet connection via fiber connection 150 mbps, $25,000, fundingsources: USF, Consortium Partners, General Ed, CTE, Special Edo Air Advantage Internet connection via fiber connection 150 mbps, $23,000,funding sources: USF, Consortium Partners, General Ed, CTE, Special Edo Internet connection via DSL to Caro Regional Center, $1,200, funding source:USF and Special Edo Internet connection via wireless connection to Stars Facility, $1,200, fundingsource: Speedconnect EBS Lease Agreement with REMC 10o Cellular service for administrative, technical and some transportation staff,$19,200, funding source: USF, CTE, Special Ed, Gen Edo Maintenance fee renewal for Skyward student and finance, $130,000, fundingsource: Shared CGS*, LEA Cost Shareo Replace a 20% of the Special Ed laptops because of age and disrepair, $20,000,funding source: Special Edo Novell or Microsoft SLA agreement for Server O/S and Enterprise E-mail $2,200,funding sources: Shared CGS*o Continue All-Data automotive package subscription for TTC Auto related labs,$1,500, funding source: CTE9

o Replace 5 workstations in Admin Services Office, $5,000, funding source: CTE*Shared CGS indicates a percentage of the cost will come from each of the 3 major budget areas of Tuscola ISDCTE, General Fund and Special Ed.Maintenance and support of new and existing technology:Tuscola ISD has an extensive technical support team on-staff that handles specifications, biddingand installation of new equipment, maintenance of existing equipment, staff training and grantwriting.The primary role of the Information Systems Department is the installation, maintenance andmanagement of all technologies. This department deals with the ISD facilities as well as offeringsupport services at a low hourly rate to the local districts.Technical Support Staff:• Robert Frost, Information Systems Coordinator• Dallas Schell, Data Specialist• Tom Kuras, Information Systems Assistant• Danielle Hunkins, Information Systems Assistant (half time)• David Kirk, Information Systems Assistant (half time)• Amy Hall, Information Systems Secretary• 1-Morning Co-op student, 1-Afternoon Co-op studentConsortiums:Tuscola ISD has had a long standing Internet Consortium of Schools, Libraries andGovernmental Agencies. The Information Systems Department supports this system as well.This consortium allows for significantly reduced Internet costs because of cost and bandwidthsharing for the Internet service as well as services such as firewalls, content filtering and supportstaff. The following partners are included in the Internet consortium:• Cass City Schools (original founding member) (Wireless)• Kingston Schools (started 05/06) (Wireless)• Mayville Schools (started 08/09) (T1)• Rawson Memorial Library (original founding member) (Wireless)• Tuscola County Government (Wireless)As a result of the broadband project, we expect to be purchasing Internet on a REMC wide basiswhich will expand the consortium to potentially include 2 other ISD’s and all 24 LEA’s in theregion.Another cost saving consortium is in place for sharing of an anti-spam appliance (Barracuda).Tuscola and Sanilac ISD jointly purchased the appliance and paid for the initial 3 years ofmaintenance. Tuscola ISD hosts and does the daily activities related to operation of theappliance. Several partners pay a small annual fee to help offset these costs.• Tuscola ISD• Sanilac ISD10

• Brown City Schools• Cass City Schools• Kingston Schools• Mayville Schools• Peck Schools• Sandusky SchoolsThis consortium is also expected to expand significantly as a result of the broadband project.A consortium is also in place to share the cost of an Internet Content Filter appliance (Fortigate).Each member is able to setup their own filtering rules based on ip address range. Thisconsortium currently consists of the following members:• Tuscola ISD• Sanilac ISD• Cass City Schools• Kingston Schools• Rawson Memorial Library• Sandusky SchoolsThis consortium is also expected to expand significantly as a result of the broadband project.A number of other consortium memberships exist; several examples of our participation havebeen mentioned throughout this document:• Greater Thumb Telecommunications Consortium (GTTC)• Thumb Education Technology Professionals (ETP)• Regional Educational Media Center #10 (REMC)• MiCTA• Hospital PurchasingSupporting resources:Supporting resources have and will continue to be available to staff. A quality Internetconnection provides an important link to web based research as well as participation in local,state and national list serves and streamed media content (Adobe Connect, webinars, i-Lincsessions, etc).REMC 10 provides Moodle services at no charge to all member districts. This system willbecome increasingly important as a solution for the new High School Graduation requirementsthat require an online learning experience.Manuals, self paced training videos/cd/dvd based training as well as the technical support staffare always available. Additional materials will be considered and purchased if necessary.Discovery Education is also available to all staff as a service of our REMC 10 membership.Leveraging of all available funding sources:11

Universal Service Fund discounts have been applied for every year since the programs inception.While most years our district buildings have only qualified for priority one discounts, the lastfew years economic times in the area have declined significantly causing free/reduced lunchrates to rise resulting in our ability to file for priority two items such as switches and servers. Apriority two application for 2010/11 was funded with Tuscola ISD as the billed entity forelectronics to run the new broadband system. These will be purchased at the beginning of thw2012/13 fiscal year. Priority 1 funding will continued to be filed annually for all relevantservices.The ARRA (federal stimulus) monies were secured in a partnership between REMC 10 and AirAdvantage to build hundreds of miles of fiber optic connecting all of the schools in the REMC10 region. This is a $9 million network that will serve our districts for the next 30+ years. AnIRU between REMC 10 and Air Advantage is expected to be signed soon locking in access tothis network for 30 years with a 10 year renewal option.Evaluation of the plans effectiveness:Evaluation will take place throughout the life of the plan in many ways. The InformationSystems Coordinator will evaluate the day to day implementation of the plan. The TechnologyPlanning Committee will meet annually to evaluate the status of the plan and make adjustmentsas necessary. The committee will also extend the plan as necessary.Students in several areas take nationally recognized certification tests throughout the year. Theirachievements on these tests play a significant role in helping us determine how applicable ourtraining programs are.A relatively new CTE based evaluation called TRACK review is another annual evaluation toolthat we analyze the results of to guide us in the implementation and adjustments to this plan.While TRACK is specific to CTE other similar evaluations are done throughout our campus,such as NCA at HPS.Student Safety:All systems connected to the Tuscola ISD network are forced to pass through the districtsInternet filter. While no filter is fool proof or perfect, technology support staff will continue totweak the system as needed and keep the system current to provide the maximum level ofprotection possible especially to the students accessing the network resources. Training childrenon the dangers associated with Internet access is also something that is taken very seriously. Assuch, the district promises to continue educating minors about appropriate online behavior,including interacting with other individuals on social networking websites and in chat rooms.The district will also promote cyber bullying awareness and provide adequate response to anyinstances of it.One example of this training is a program that started in the 07/08 school year. All ninth gradespecial education students in the County were brought in for a one day workshop on numerous12

issues. One of the required breakout sessions was about Internet predators, cyber bullying andgeneral Internet safety issues. This program is planned to be an annual event.13

Y. INTERNET POLICY FOR STAFFThe following is TISD Board Policy:Attachment 1 – TTC - Staff Acceptable Use PolicyA. Information Technology EnvironmentIt is the policy of the Tuscola Intermediate School District to provide and maintain Informationtechnology resources to all staff and students and to provide an atmosphere that encouragesaccess to the knowledge and sharing of information.1. The district will provide training and support in the effective utilization of informationtechnology to all users.2. The district will not be responsible for the accuracy or quality of information receivedthrough third-party networks and will not be held accountable for the security of anyusers access.3. The district reserves the right to review and edit any information it feels does notfacilitate learning or enhance the educational information exchange consistent with thepurpose of the TISD.B. Standard of Conduct—Information TechnologyAccess to the district’s information technology environment is a privilege and must be treated assuch by all users of these systems. This privilege shall be granted after appropriate training isadministered. Any user who, without authorization, accesses, uses,destroys, alter, dismantles, ordisfigures the district’s information technology properties or facilities, as well as, those ownedby third parties, thereby threatened the atmosphere of increased access and sharing ofinformation and has engaged in unethical and unacceptable conduct.Such actions include, but are not limited to:1. The use of proxy servers or any other method of intentionally bypassing district filteringtechnology is strictly prohibited and will result in loss of network/computer privileges.2. Violating third party copyright or patent protection as well as license agreements andcontracts.3. Interfering with the intended use of the information resources.4. Seeking to gain or gaining unauthorized access to information resources.5. Destroying, altering, dismantling, disfiguring, preventing rightful access to, or otherwiseinterfering with the integrity of information resources.6. Invading privacy of individuals or entities that are users or subjects of the informationresources.7. All modifications and additions to the district’s information systems are to be performedby authorized personnel only. Users may not make alterations to hardware/softwaresystems or settings without proper authorization. This policy is applicable whetherutilizing resources on district property or from remote locations - - - individuallycontrolled, shared, stand alone, or networked. Individual buildings within the districtmay define the conditions for use of facilities under their control.8. Any member of the TISD found engaged in unethical and unacceptable conduct with thedistrict’s information technology environment shall be subject to disciplinary actions.14

Such actions may include, but are not limited to: warning, revoked privileges, financialrestitution, suspension, and legal action. The individual buildings within the districtconsistent with this policy shall further define these actions.15

Attachment 2: TUSCOLA TECHNOLOGY CENTER INTERNET, NETWORK ANDCOMPUTER ACCEPTABLE USE POLICY (AUP)Privilege / Not a RightUsers may access available Internet, network and computer resources to facilitate learningand enhancing educational exchange.Responsibilities1. Users are responsible for utilizing District technology only for facilitating learning andenhancing educational information exchange based on District curriculum andinstructional goals.2. Users must comply with etiquette rules related to the use of the network, conservation oftime, and file storage limitations.3. Users are responsible for maintaining the privacy of passwords and are prohibited frompublishing or discussing passwords with anyone.4. Users shall have no expectations of privacy when using the system. Systems may bemonitored for appropriate use at any time without the users knowledge or consent.5. Users are not to use e-mail except in specific curriculum applications. Violation ofprivacy and inappropriate communications received via e-mail must be promptly reportedto the program instructor.6. Users are prohibited from using Internet and District technology for private gain orproduct advertisement.7. Users are responsible for properly using and caring for hardware and software withincomputer labs and classrooms.8. Users are prohibited from installing any software except as specifically directed byDistrict staff.9. Users are prohibited from installation of computer viruses on District equipment. Usersare responsible for using the virus protection software maintained on the network tofurther prevent the transfer of computer viruses on District equipment. Users areprohibited from disabling anti-virus software.10. Users must not access or display inappropriate material, such as but not limited to,pornography, obscenities, or other material deemed inappropriate for educationalpurposes. Access must be specifically related to class assignments.11. Use of chat rooms and/or any type of instant messaging except as a specific class projectis prohibited.12. Downloading of any files except for specific class assignments is prohibited. Anydownloaded files must be scanned for viruses prior to use or installation.13. Users must not login or attempt to login with any user id or password other than theirown.14. The use of proxy servers or any other method of intentionally bypassing district filteringtechnology is strictly prohibited and will result in loss of network/computer priveledges.Disciplinary Action1. Users violating any Acceptable Use Policy responsibilities will be prohibited from using16

technology resources and other District hardware and software.2. Users will be required to make full financial restitution for any damages or unauthorizedexpenses that the District incurs for violation of this agreement.3. Users violating any of the responsibilities may face additional disciplinary or legal actiondeemed appropriate in accordance with the District disciplinary policy and appropriatefederal or state laws.4. Users will be disciplined for violating the privileges including but not limited to:Violations of any of the responsibilities set forth in this agreement;Using a user id or password other than his/her own;Modifying or defacing hardware or software;Improperly exiting established menus or applications;Using software prohibited in labs and classrooms.Users found in violation of the Acceptable Use Policy can expect the minimum following actionto be taken:First Offense: The loss of all Internet and/or network and/or computer privileges for nineweeks. The offense will be recorded in the users student file.Second Offense: The loss of all Internet and/or network and/or computer privileges for theremainder of the school year.17

Attachment 3 – HPS - Student Acceptable Use PolicyP. INTERNET USAGE POLICYThe use of Highland Pines School classroom computers support learning and enhance classroominstruction. Students will utilize the computers in the building in a responsible, ethical, and legalmanner. Failure to adhere to this guideline will lead to disciplinary action. Unacceptable uses ofthe computer network include but are not limited to:1. Violating United States and/or Local Law2. Using and/or viewing profanity, obscenity or other language, which may be offensiveto others.3. Copying commercial software in violation of copyright law.4. Viewing material on the internet which is violent, obscene, or degrading to persons,animals, or groups.18

Attachment 4 – Tuscola ISD Board Policy (applies to all TISD staff including TuscolaTechnology Center and Highland Pines School staff)INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY ENVIRONMENTGMIt is the policy of the Tuscola Intermediate School District to provide and maintain information technologyresources to all staff and students and to provide an atmosphere that encourages access to the knowledgeand sharing of information.A. The district will provide training and support in the effective utilization of information technologyto all users.B. The district will make every effort to ensure the integrity of the system.C. The district will not be responsible for the accuracy or quality of information received throughthird-party networks and will not be held accountable for the security of any user's access.D. The district reserves the right to review and edit any information it feels does not facilitatelearning or enhance the educational information exchange consistent with the purpose of theTuscola Intermediate School District.Policy Adopted: August 18, 199719

STANDARDS OF CONDUCT - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGYGMAAccess to the district's information technology environment is a privilege and must be treated as such by allusers of these systems. This privilege shall be granted after appropriate training is administered. Any userwho, without authorization, accesses, uses, destroys, alters, dismantles, or disfigures the district'sinformation technology properties or facilities, as well as those owned by third parties, thereby threatens theatmosphere of increased access and sharing of information and has engaged in unethical andunacceptable conduct. Such actions include, but are not limited to:A. Violating third party copyright or patent protection as well as license agreements and othercontracts.B. Interfering with the intended use of the information resources.C. Seeking to gain or gaining unauthorized access to information resources.D. Destroying, altering, dismantling, disfiguring, preventing rightful access to, or otherwiseinterfering with the integrity of information resources.E. Invading privacy of individuals or entities that are users or subjects of the informationresources.All modifications and additions to the district's information systems are to be performed by authorizedpersonnel only. Users may not make alterations to hardware/software systems or settings without properauthorization. This policy is applicable whether utilizing resources on district property or from remotelocations--individually controlled, shared, stand alone, or networked. Individual buildings within the districtmay define the conditions for use of facilities under their control.Policy Adopted: August 18, 199720

DISCIPLINARY ACTIONSGMA AAny member of the Tuscola Intermediate School District found engaged in unethical and unacceptable conduct with thedistrict's information technology environment shall be subject to disciplinary actions. Such actions may include, but are notlimited to:warningrevoked privilegesfinancial restitutionsuspensionlegal actionThese actions shall be further defined by the individual buildings within the district consistent with this policy.Disciplinary sanctions against employees, including non-renewal, suspension and termination of employment, shall be inaccordance with the prescribed procedural and substantive requirements of District policies, administrative regulations andprocedures, any applicable collective bargaining agreement or individual contract, and applicable statutes.Policy Adopted: August 18, 1997

INTERNET FILTERINGGMBThe Superintendent shall be responsible for directing appropriate District technology staff, or technology consultant staff, tobring all computers used by children into full compliance with all federal requirements regarding Internet filtering software soas to assure that District discounts under the federal e-rate program are not jeopardized.Any District computer used by students shall have Internet filtering software in place either on the computer itself or on theserver through which the computer accesses the Internet.District staff shall not allow students to use any computer in the District with Internet capability that does not have Internetfiltering software. This includes any computer, laptop or desktop, in the District’s libraries or media centers, classrooms,laboratories, or offices where students are, for any reason, allowed to use a computer, or any other such device, withInternet access.Staff members violating these rules are subject to disciplinary action up to and including discharge.Policy Adopted: April 16, 2001