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 same for official Board business. Cellular telephones are provided as a tool to conduct Board business and to enhance business efficiencies. Cellular telephones 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 Superintendent or his/her designee is expected to see that:

Cellular telephone service accounts are expected to be set at the minimum level that fulfills the business need for the position in question. The cellular telephone contract 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. If the cellular telephone contract is based on minutes used, a minimal plan shall be utilized. In other words, the smallest plan available to accommodate the particular business need shall be utilized.

Possessing a Board-owned cellular telephone is a privilege and all employees are expected to use them appropriately and responsibly. Employees are responsible for managing the cost effectiveness of cellular telephone use by utilizing assigned landlines as available and appropriate. Employees should know that 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 cellular telephone calls.

Employee safety is a priority of the Board, and responsible use of cellular telephones includes safe use by the employee.

In situations where job responsibilities include regular driving and accepting of business calls, hands-free equipment may be provided to facilitate the provisions of this policy.

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 unauthorized use, 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) 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 unsatisfactorily terms and may be subject to legal action for recovery of the loss.

Each Board-owned cellular telephone will receive a monthly detailed activity statement for all charges. The employee issued the cellular telephone must review the monthly statement for billing accuracy.

The Board will seek reimbursement for any additional charges resulting from personal calls. Misuse of Board-owned cellular telephones may result in loss of the privilege (i.e., revocation) and possible disciplinary action against the employee.

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

The Superintendent shall prepare the necessary administrative guidelines for the implementation of this policy.

Adopted 3/2/05