An anonymous reader writes
"My child is starting school today I have been asked to sign a release that I agree to the School Board Rules. I actually read them unlike most parents and would like to ask Slashdot what can be done about rules like Stafford County VA Rule 12:
Computer violations including trespass, fraud, invasion of privacy, and theft of services;...; removal of computer data, programs, software; alteration/destruction/erasure of computer data, programs, software; ... (See http://www.pen.k12.va.us/Div/Stafford/Regulations/ Students/R7_32.pdf)
"Removal" includes copying ANY data to floppy or memory stick, even if a Kindergartner saved their drawing to floppy. "Erasure" includes formatting your own floppy disk. "Removal of programs" includes open source or even saving program that you wrote. When you boot any operating system, you alter the logs, so by turning on the computer you are in violation.... The penalty is suspension of 10 days or less.
A friend reported this to the school board several years ago but received a terse reply about the board using the same terms as other school boards. According to him, the wording has only gotten longer and more restrictive but still includes the same "removal" and "alteration" clauses.
Is there anything I can do other than posting this to slashdot?
Full text of the rule: "12. Computer violations including trespass, fraud, invasion of
privacy, and theft of services; unauthorized use of school
computer and/or computer network; removal of computer data,
programs, software; alteration/destruction/erasure of
computer data, programs, software; intentionally causing a
computer and/or computer network to malfunction; use or
duplication of software in violation of law or licensing
requirements; unauthorized access to any portion of
computer network, restricted programs and/or computer
drives; unauthorized use of assigned computer passwords to
gain access to computer and/or network; any unauthorized
use of school computer code(s); failure to abide by
acceptable use agreement; Minimum of short-term suspension
of 10 days, or less, with the balance of any days to be
served carrying over to the succeeding school year, and/or
loss of computer and Internet privileges to maximum of
expulsion. Additionally, the matter shall be reported to
the Superintendent and shall also be reported to the
Sheriff if the potential exists for criminal charges to be
filed.""Link to Original Source
