EHCA – Web and Internet Publishing

The Board of Education recognizes the limitless potential for research, information, and communication provided by the Internet and the World Wide Web. The availability of this communication vehicle provides an opportunity for students and staff to access and contribute to the world of information related to curriculum, instruction, and school district activities. Web content provides a means for communicating information to a variety of audiences including students, parents, staff, and local, regional, and worldwide communities as well. Therefore, the Board of Education, subject to the terms and limitations of this policy, authorizes and encourages the creation of school and District Web content for publication on the Internet. For the purpose of this policy, the Internet, the Web, and the World Wide Web shall be considered as the same and shall be referred to as the Web. Although there are considerable advantages to publishing on the Web, there are associated risks including liability, legal, and safety issues that must be considered when publishing on the Web. All information on school- or District-Web sites must accurately reflect the mission, goals, policies, and activities of the school and the District. Laws pertaining to copyright, privacy, and intellectual property must be followed. Safety of students and staff is a priority. Purpose and Use of District Website Web content representing the Cherry Creek School District is defined as pages designed and published by staff or students that relate to curriculum, instruction, general information, and activities of the District or individual schools and/or classrooms. Web pages published on the Internet must have a purpose that falls within at least one of the following categories
  1. Allow an individual school to provide current and complete information to its community at large;
  2. Give the school a means to communicate effectively with students and personnel;
  3. Support the curriculum, instruction and educational processes; and
  4. Provide new avenues for teachers to help students meet high standards of performance.
The District shall designate an individual(s) to be responsible for maintaining the official District website. A building principal shall make such designation for an individual school. Schools, departments, or individual staff members who wish to publish Web pages must be appropriately qualified and designated by the building principal or department head. Purpose and Use of School Websites The primary purpose of a school's website is to communicate effectively with its community. The principal or designee shall be responsible for overseeing and ensuring that the site is maintained in such a way that the community receives current and accurate information. A school may elect to have its website serve additional purposes related to its educational mission. These include, but are not limited to:
  1. Publishing the student newspaper
  2. Publishing student literary magazines
  3. Posting teacher-created classroom information
  4. Publishing appropriate student class work
When a school allows student publications on its website, the purpose of including such publications shall be clearly identified in that section of the site. These publications shall be consistent with the mission, goals, policies, programs and activities of the District. All publications shall meet established District and school requirements, regulations and policies related to student print publications and in accordance with state and federal law related to student expression. Web content developed under contract for the District, or developed within the scope of employment by District employees, or otherwise published on District Web pages and/or sites are the property of the Cherry Creek School District. Advertising/Sponsorships In accordance with applicable Board of Education policies, District and/or school websites may be used for fundraising efforts, but may not be used for purposes of endorsements or commercial purposes to be defined as "advertising, offering or providing products or services" unless approved by the Superintendent or his or her designee. This includes, but is not limited to, the sponsoring, promoting or marketing of products or services. Compliance with Policy and Acceptable Use All web content will comply with the Cherry Creek School District Networked Electronic Resources policy and Acceptable Use Agreement and such other policies and regulations as may from time to time be adopted by the Board of Education. In the production of web content, students and staff members shall be held responsible for appropriate behavior in accordance with the terms and conditions of the District policy, regulations, and agreement. These terms and conditions are not intended to be all-inclusive, but should serve as a reference for appropriate and safe uses of electronic communications and resources. Students and staff members who fail to comply with the requirements of the agreement, this and other District policy, and their accompanying regulations will be subject to termination of privileges and/or appropriate disciplinary action. Concern about web content should be directed to the building principal or appropriate District level administrator. Given the rapid change in technology, some of the provisions of this policy and it's accompanying regulations may become outdated rapidly. Therefore, this policy and it's accompanying regulations shall be reviewed periodically and revised as necessary.
Cross References: EGA - Electronic Mail
EGAD - Copyright/Royalties
EHC - Networked Electronic Information Resources
IJ - Instructional Resources and Materials
IJK - Supplementary Materials Selection and Adoption
JICDA - Conduct and Discipline Code
JICEA - School-Related Student Publications
JICJ - Student Use of Electronic Communication Device
JJA - Student Organizations (Secondary Schools)
KHB - Advertising/Revenue Enhancement
Legal References: Copyright Laws
20 U.S.C. § 1232g (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974)
20 U.S.C. § 6801 et. seq., (Elementary and Secondary Education Act)
47 U.S.C. § 231 (Child Online Protection Act of 1998)
47 U.S.C. § 254(h) (Children's Internet Protection Act of 2000)
C.R.S. § 22-1-120 (Rights of Free Expression of Public School Students)
C.R.S. § 24-72-201 et seq. (Colorado Open Records Act)
Adoption Date: October 13, 2003 Last Revised: January 09, 2012
Scroll to Top