The Board of Education will provide cellular telephones to employees who by the nature of their job have a routine and continuing business need for the use of cellular telephones for official Board business. Cellular telephones are provided as a tool to conduct Board business and to enhance business efficiencies. Cellular telephone are not a personal benefit and shall not be a primary mode of communication, unless they are the most cost-effective means to conduct Board business (i.e., because cellular telephone accounts are billed on a time-used basis, Board-owned cellular telephones and services should not be used when a less costly alternative method of communication is safe, convenient and readily available).

The Board of Education requires staff members to be accessible by telephone for Board business when and if need arises. Cellular telephone technology enables individuals to be reached whenever a situation arises necessitating immediate contact and communication, regardless of the person’s location at that time. Therefore, a Board-owned cellular telephone may be issued to the Superintendent as well as the staff members designated by the Superintendent.

Using a cellular telephone while operating a vehicle is strongly discouraged. Employees should plan calls to allow placement of calls either prior to traveling or while on rest breaks.

Cellular telephone calls are not secure. Therefore, employees should use discretion in relaying confidential information, particularly as it relates to students.

Employees must safeguard any Board-owned cellular telephone in their possession. Reasonable precautions should be made to prevent equipment loss, damage, theft and vandalism. Upon resignation or termination of employment, or at any time upon request, the employee may be asked to produce the equipment for return or inspection. Employees unable to present the equipment in good working condition within the time period requested (e.g., twenty-four (24) hours) may be expected to bear the cost of a replacement. Employees who separate from employment with outstanding debts for equipment loss or unauthorized charges will be considered to have left employment on unsatisfactory terms and may be subject to legal action for recovery of the loss.

The Board reserves the right to audit all Board-owned cellular telephones and their use, which will include but not be limited to, a review of the monthly billing by the Treasurer. Board cellular telephones and cellular service account statements, invoices and payment documents are public records and, as such, may be subject to disclosure and review.

The Superintendent and other staff members shall not be billed for local and long distance calls of a personal nature made from their cellular telephone, provided the personal calls do not result in additional charges beyond the usual and customary charge associated with the staff member’s plan. The Board determines that expenditure(s) serve a public purpose given the accessibility required of the individual(s) required to have a Board-owned cellular telephone for the purposes described above. If, however, the personal calls result in excess charges, then the Superintendent and/or staff members shall be billed for any charges in excess of the base plan amount.

Personal calls during work hours can interfere with employee productivity and be distracting to others, regardless of whether on a cellular or regular telephone. Employees are expected to use discretion in using personal cellular telephones while at work. Employees are asked to make personal calls during breaks and lunch period and to see that friends and family members are aware of the Board’s policy.

Violation of this policy may constitute just cause for disciplinary action up to and including termination.