SALEM -- The MSAD #58 School Board of Directors conducted the first reading of four new policies at its last meeting that may be enacted at the next board meeting. As a matter of procedure, members acknowledge the policies in an initial meeting and come back in a second to enact the policy as written, amend the policy or reject it in its entirety. If a policy is adopted, it often becomes part of the student's handbook if appropriate and in some cases becomes a code of conduct.

All four new policies before the board had to do with technology. Policy JFCK-R has to do with "student use of cellular telephone and other electronic device rules."

The policy prohibits students from using privately-owned electronic devices, including but not limited to cellular telephones, BlackBerries, handheld computers, MP3 players and electronic games during all classes and all school related activities.

It states that all devices must be turned off and the only exception for usage is when a teacher authorizes such action. This might include a teacher or coach who allows a bus traveler to call ahead to make sure that a ride is available when the bus meets it destination or to provide estimated time of arrivals.

The policy considered says the only exception is the allowable use of electronic devices between classes and during the students' lunch period. But under this allowance, cell phones are not included and must be turned off during all school hours.

The policy also discusses the use of cameras and camera phones and specifically targets the prohibited use in locker rooms, restrooms and classrooms. "In other school locations, students are required to obtain permission before photographing an individual."

The policy reads that any use of cell phone or electronic device that appears to violate any board policy, administrative procedure or school rule is strictly prohibited. If such action appears to violate the students' code of conduct and is an act of harassment or cheating —as examples— the device may be subject to a search if there is reasonable suspicion that the student is violating or engaging in such misconduct.

The policy says that students violating such rules may be subjected to exclusion from use of the device for an extended period of time, detention or expulsion from school depending upon the nature of offense and the student's disciplinary record.

The second policy considered has to do with student computer and Internet use. This lengthy five-page policy details the use of technology resources including the participation of the one-to-one laptop program in which students use and take home laptops either owned or leased by the school.

Although the policy reads that it's not inclusive of all school rules, the document does get very specific about the overall intent of the allowable usage and does specify detailed prohibited uses.

For example, allowable uses relate to only activities that are for educational purposes and research and use must be consistent with the school's mission, curriculum and instructional goals or as directed by the teachers or other supervising staff.

The policy lists two pages of prohibited uses such as accessing inappropriate material, illegal activities, violating copyrights, plagiarism, copying software, and all other non- school related activities.

The laptops or technological resources must not be used for personal gain, commercial, advertising or solicitation.

Also the policy lists the prohibited misuse of passwords, malicious use and vandalism and the prohibited use or access to chat rooms, news groups, blogs and bulletin boards. This includes all social networking sites unless it's approved by a teacher.

Among many other details, the policy reads that privately owned laptops used in school are prohibited unless approved by the building principal or technology director. The alternative use must prove to be of educational gain and if approved, the student owned laptops are subject to similar security rules as school owned or leased machines.

Two other policies are being considered by the directors. One is titled "School Web Site / Web Pages Administrative Procedure" and the other has to do with employee computer and Internet use rules.

The Web site policy is an amendment to a previous policy and is intended to only provide information about the district and related informational resources. "The MSAD #58 Web site does not create, nor is it intended to create, a public or limited public forum. All material placed on the Web site must serve the educational mission of the school," the policy reads.

The employee computer and Internet use rules policy follows some of the very basic principals of the student use policy, but does allow for occasional personal use. This policy does allow incidental personal use as long as it does not interfere with job responsibilities, does not interfere with system operations and follows other provisions within the policy.

The policy, although less detailed than the student's policy, does get into specific prohibited uses.

It is assumed that the school board will take action regarding these policies at the next scheduled meeting.