DEADD-AP Official Communication Methods for Educators
West Fargo Public Schools regards an educator’s district-assigned email account as an official method of communication, unless otherwise prescribed by another policy. While email is an official method of communication, it is not the only method of communication and does not exclude alternate methods such as written or oral communications, post mail, and inter-school mail.
Our email system affords an efficient method for official messages to be disseminated. It is the responsibility of each educator to regularly access their “@west-fargo.k12.nd.us” account and to respond to all communications as promptly as appropriate. All educators must maintain good email management habits and adhere to the standards of responsible use specified by West Fargo Public Schools.
Definitions
- Educator is inclusive of all staff members of West Fargo Public Schools.
- The official email address is the @west-fargo.k12.nd.us address assigned to an educator by West Fargo Public Schools’ Technology Department.
- Official district communication is an email message regarding official district business sent from a district employee or through the district’s automated messaging system (Blackboard). Blackboard is most frequently utilized for the transmission of weekly staff newsletters, news releases, and emergency communications.
Educator Use and Responsibilities
Security and Appropriate Usage: Educators are required to comply with all district policies and procedures, especially ACDA-AP Use of the WFSD Computer Network and ACDA-AR Responsible Use Regulations of Technology Resources for Staff & Students, and relevant local, state, and federal law.
Educators are responsible for monitoring their email for official district communication and have the responsibility to recognize that certain communication is time sensitive. Supervisors are responsible for notifying educators with limited access to email of time-sensitive communications. Educators are responsible for accessing, reading, and responding to their email in a timely manner. Additional requirements may be imposed by administration, buildings, and departments within the district. WFPS may monitor an email account for suspected inappropriate usage.
Contact information for the originating educator must be clearly denoted in the message signature. To maintain consistent branding standards across all forms of communication at WFPS, it is recommended that educators use the standard WFPS email signature option.
Educators’ WFPS official email addresses are to be used in accordance with the business of the district and for purposes directly related to their position and/or job functions. Official email addresses may not be used for conducting personal business. Incidental personal use is allowed and is to be determined by the respective building leaders and department directors. Personal use must follow all applicable district policies and laws. Use of email to store or transmit social security numbers, dates of birth, credit card numbers, or any similarly sensitive pieces of information is explicitly disallowed for both district and incidental personal use.
Email Service Requirements
Email accounts, which create electronic identities and assign email addresses, are automatically set up for new educators by the WFPS Technology Department. Email addresses remain active as long as the person is employed, or as approved by the Technology Department.
After initial email account generation, educators must access their accounts.
Redirecting of WFPS Email
Official district electronic communication is sent to the @west-fargo.k12.nd.us address. Failure to receive official district messages when using a non-official email address does not absolve educators from the responsibilities associated with official communication sent to their @west-fargo.k12.nd.us addresses.
Privacy and Confidentiality
Communication via email is subject to all the same public information/open records, privacy, and records retention laws as other forms of communication.
Adopted: 11/08/22
Reviewed:
Revised: