The Board of Education will provide wireless communication devices ("WCD") (i.e. cellular and wireless telephones, pagers/beepers, personal digital assistants (PDAs) BlackBerries/Smartphones, WiFi-enabled or broadcast access devices, etc.) to employees who by the nature of their job have a routine and continuing business need for the use of such devices for official Board business. WCDs are provided as a tool to conduct Board business and to enhance business efficiencies. WCDs 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 some wireless services plan are billed on a time-used basis, Board-owned WCDs should not be used if a less costly alternative method of communication is safe, convenient and readily available).

The Superintendent is authorized to designate those staff members who will be issued a Board-owned WCD and provided with a wireless service plan.

The Superintendent or his/her designee is responsible for verifying:

Employee safety is a priority of the Board, and responsible use of WCDs includes safe use.

Employees whose job responsibilities include regular or occasional driving and who are issued a Board-owned WCD for business use are expected to refrain from using the device while driving. Safety must come before all other concerns. Regardless of the circumstances, including slow or stopped traffic, employees are strongly encouraged to pull off to the side of the road and safely stop the vehicle before placing or accepting a call, reading or sending a text message, instant message or e-mail, or browsing the Internet. If acceptance of a call is unavoidable and pulling over is not an option, employees are expected to keep the call short, use hands-free options (e.g. headsets or voice activation) if available, refrain from discussion of complicated or emotional topics, and keep their eyes on the road. Additionally, special care should be taken in situations where there is traffic, inclement weather, or the employee is driving in an unfamiliar area. In the interest of safety for both Board employees and other drivers, employees are required to comply with all applicable laws while driving.

Wireless communications, including calls, text messages, instant messages, and e-mails sent from WCDs may not be secure. Therefore, users must use discretion in relaying confidential information, particularly as it relates to students.

Except in emergency situations, employees are prohibited from using WCDs to capture, record or transmit the words (i.e. audio) and/or images (i.e. pictures/video) of any student, staff member or other person in the school or while attending a school-related activity, without express prior notice and explicit consent for the capture, recording or transmission of such words or images. Using a WCD to take or transmit audio and/or pictures/video of an individual without his/her consent is considered an invasion of privacy and is not permitted, unless authorized by the building principal or Superintendent.

Using WCDs or any other device to capture, record or transmit the words (i.e. audio) and/or images (i.e. pictures/video) of any student, staff member or other person in the school or while attending a school-related activity, must not occur in any areas where the individual may have a reasonable expectation of privacy, such as locker rooms, restrooms, private conversations not conducted in public areas. Unless specifically authorized by the Superintendent to capture, record or transmit in these areas.

At no time may any WCD be utilized by an employee in a way that might reasonably create in the mind of another person an impression of being threatened, humiliated, harassed, embarrassed or intimidated.

Employees are responsible for the safekeeping, care and custody of the WCDs assigned to them. Further, employees are responsible for the cost of misuse, intentional damage or reckless loss of the WCDs provided to them. The District does not provide or purchase insurance to allow for loss or damage to its WCDs.

Reasonable precautions should be taken to prevent unauthorized use/access to, or loss, damage, theft and/or vandalism to said devices. Upon resignation or termination of employment, or at any time upon request, the employee may be asked to produce the WCD for return or inspection. Employees unable to present the device in good working condition within the time period requested (e.g. twenty-four (24) hours) might 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.

WCDs may not be transferred to any other employee without prior notification and approval of the Superintendent. Employees provided with a WCD understand that the WCD is owned by the Board. Any alteration or switching of WCDs must be approved in advance by the Superintendent.

Cellular telephone numbers provided by the Board, via contract with a wireless service provider/vendor, are considered business numbers of the District which shall remain and belong to the Board for its use, unless otherwise changed by the service provider/vendor or as mandated by the Federal Communications Commission. Employees are not allowed to transfer/port a previous personal cellular telephone number to a Board-owned WCD.

The Board reserves the right to audit all Board-owned WCDs, which will include but not be limited to, a review of the detailed monthly statement upon submission after the requisite review by the employee. The detailed monthly service statements for all Board-owned WCDs as well as invoices and payment documents related to these accounts are public records and, as such, may be subject to disclosure and review.

Violation of this policy may constitute just cause for disciplinary action up to and including termination. Use of the WCD in any manner contrary to local, State or Federal laws will constitute misuse, and will result the Board immediately canceling the employee's privilege to use a Board-owned WCD and return of the device as well as possible disciplinary action.

Adopted 3/11/10