Section:4000 Personnel
Policy Name:Electronic Mail
Policy Number:4320.1
Date Approved:6/13/2005
Last Revised:N/A


Electronic mail ("e-mail") is provided to staff members for the purpose of conducting the business of the school system. The Board of Education encourages the use of e-mail services to share information, to improve communication, and to exchange ideas within the work environment. E-mail includes all electronic messages that are transmitted through a local, regional or global computer network. Employees are expected to use the e-mail system in a manner consistent with the Acceptable Computer Network Use policy and regulations (see 4320).

The district's e-mail system is not intended for personal use by employees. Although employees may engage in reasonable personal use of the e-mail system in accordance with the district's Acceptable Computer Network Use policy, there should be no expectation of privacy or confidentiality. Reasonable personal use is defined as incidental and occasional personal communications (e.g. brief letters, updating a resume, sending a quick email). The district reserves the right to monitor the use of electronic mail systems to ensure compliance with school policy and computer use guidelines.

E-mail should only be read by the person to whom it is addressed. Employees are prohibited from accessing another employee's e-mail without the express consent of the employee. The restriction is to ensure the efficiency and proper delivery of e-mail to its recipients. The administration retains the right to access employee e-mail without consent. This is consistent with the Acceptable Computer Network Use policy.

Except for directory information, student records and other confidential information should not be transmitted by e-mail. Employees are expected to communicate in a professional manner consistent with state and federal law. Violation of this policy may result in disciplinary action.

The district shall place in each school and in its offices in a conspicuous place which is readily available for viewing by its employees, a notice concerning the types of electronic monitoring which the district as employer may engage in.

Legal references: Connecticut General Statutes
§ 1-200 et. seq., The Freedom of Information Act
§ 31-48d, Employers Engaged in Electronic Monitoring
§ 53a-18b Harassment in the First Degree
§ 53a-251 et. seq., Computer Crime