The Board of Education will provide wireless communication devices ("WCDs") (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:

In deciding which staff members should receive a Board-owned WCD, the Superintendent will consider whether their jobs:

Wireless service plans are expected to be set at the minimum level that fulfills the business need for the position in question. The wireless service plan that is selected for an employee should be the one that provides a combination of services including number of minutes, coverage, and local call zone most nearly matching the employee's recurring business needs as well as whether or not the service plan includes text messaging, instant message and/or e-mail capability, and ability to access the Internet. If the wireless plan is based on minutes used for calls made or includes a charge regarding e-mail or instant messages, the smallest plan available to accommodate the particular business need shall be utilized.

The Board shall approve the Superintendent's recommendation regarding the type and level of wireless service appropriate for each staff member listed above. In all cases, the Superintendent shall take the steps necessary to secure the most economical and responsible service available.

Thereafter, an annual review of the service plans available shall be made to determine if the District's wireless service plans are the most economical and responsible available. Additionally, at least once annually, the Superintendent shall review the employee's actual usage (i.e. type and level of service) with the employee and, if warranted, authorize the acquisition of a different WCD and/or selection of a different wireless service plan that more nearly matches the employee's recurring business needs. Any such change in provider and/or necessary adjustments to individual staff member's devices and/or service plans shall be presented to the Board for consideration and approval.

Possessing a Board-owned WCD is a privilege and all employees are expected to use them appropriately and responsibly. Employees are responsible for managing the cost effectiveness of WCD use by utilizing assigned landline and/or designated computers as available and appropriate. Employees should know that using a WCD to place calls outside the immediate area might result in roaming charges, in addition to long distance and regular charges, and that the Board is charged for both outgoing and incoming calls.

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

Using a WCD while operating a vehicle is strongly discouraged. Employees should plan accordingly so that calls are placed, text messages, instant messages or e-mails sent/read, and/or the Internet browsed either prior to traveling or while on rest breaks. In the interest of safety for both Board employees and other drivers, employees are required to comply with all applicable laws while driving (including any laws that prohibit texting with the WCD or using the WCD in its entirety while driving).

Employees are subject to all applicable policies and guidelines pertaining to protection of the security, integrity and availability of the data stored on their Board-owned WCDs.

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

Additionally, wireless communications, including text messages, instant messages and e-mails sent and/or received by a public employee or school official using their Board-owned WCD may constitute public records if the content of the message concerns District business, or an education record if the content includes personally identifiable information about a student. Wireless communications that are public records are subject to retention and disclosure, upon request, in accordance with Policy 8310 - Public Records. Wireless communications that are student records should be maintained pursuant to Policy 8330 – Student Records. Finally wireless communications and other electronically stored information (ESI) stored on the staff member's Board-owned WCD may be subject to a Litigation Hold pursuant to Policy 8315 – Information Management. Staff are required to comply with District requests to produce copies of wireless communications in their possession that are either public records or education records, or that constitute ESI that is subject to a Litigation Hold.

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.

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.

Each employee issued a Board-owned WCD will receive a detailed monthly statement for all charges. The employee must review the monthly statement for billing accuracy, then sign and date it verifying the employee's review and attesting that there are no charges for personal calls, text messages, instant messages or e-mails. In addition, the employee shall also be charged a portion of the monthly service fee. If the employee's service plan is all-inclusive and charges are not assessed for individual calls, text messages, instant messages or e-mails, then the employee will be charged a pro-rated share of the monthly charge. Any amount owed will be deducted from the employee's paycheck in the following pay cycle.

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.

WCDs, including but not limited to those with cameras, may not be activated or utilized at any time in any school situation where reasonable expectation of personal privacy exists. These locations and circumstance include but are not limited to locker rooms, shower facilities, restrooms, and any other areas where students or others may change clothes or be in any stage or degree of disrobing or changing clothes. The building principal has authority to make determinations as to other specific locations and situations where possession of a WCD is absolutely prohibited.

The Board recognizes that in rare circumstances it may be necessary for an employee to use a Board-owned WCD for personal business. The Board generally prohibits such conduct as emphasized by this policy, but realizes there may be limited situations when such use is justified. Employees are advised not to take advantage of this provision and that repeated use of a Board-owned WCD for personal business will result in disciplinary action.

If unforeseen circumstances develop where employees must use their Board-issued WCD for personal reasons (i.e. to let family know that the employee will be home late, etc.) it is up to the Superintendent or his/her designee to determine whether the employee should reimburse the Board.

During work hours, personal communications made or received, regardless of whether on a WCD, regular telephone, or network computer, can interfere with employee productivity and/or distract others. Employees are expected to use discretion in using personal WCDs while at work. Employees are asked to limit personal communication to breaks and lunch period and to inform friends and family members of the Board's policy in this regard.

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 in the Board immediately canceling the employee's privilege to use a Board-owned WCD and return the device.

Adopted 2/9/06
Revised 5/15/09
Revised 5/10/12