EMPLOYEE USE OF CELL PHONES ADMINISTRATIVE REGULATION
Cell Phone Usage
- Cell phones shall be used in a manner that does not disrupt instruction and should not be used during student contact time, school-sponsored programs, meetings, in-services, or other events where there exists a reasonable expectation of quiet attentiveness unless there is a reason of personal health or safety involved.
- Cell phones must utilize a locking feature with a password or other security mechanism to prevent unauthorized access. Employees should refrain from using text messages to send confidential student or employee information except in an emergency.
- Employees may use cell phones while they are driving on school district-related business or activities and the vehicle is in any gear other than “Park”, only to conduct school district-related business or for emergency situations, and only if the cell phone is used in a hands-free mode. All employee use of cell phones while driving must comply with applicable state and federal laws
- School district owned cell phones are provided to carry out official school district business. School district-owned cell phones may be used for purposes other than school district business when employees are not performing contractual obligations. All use of district-owned cell phones whether for professional or personal reasons, must be in accordance with the Board of Educational Examiners Professional Code of Ethics.
- Employees issued a call phone are responsible for its safekeeping at all times. Defective, lost or stolen cell phones are to be reported immediately to the superintendent who will in turn notify the service provider. Reckless or irresponsible use of school district equipment, resulting in loss or damage may result in the employee having to reimburse the school district for any associated costs of replacement or repair.
- Employees who use a District-issued phone have no expectation of privacy for any activity on the phone including, but not limited to, billing records, text messages sent and received, and phone calls placed and received.
- Employees who receive a cell phone stipend understand that the District may inspect the cell phone and its contents and records to the extent such inspection relates to the business of the District and/or is otherwise in accordance with applicable law.
Cell Phone Authorization - Cell phones may be assigned or made available on a temporary or permanent basis, by the superintendent, in accordance with the following guidelines:
- The assignment of a cell phone device to the employee is a prudent use of school district resources.
- The employee’s job responsibilities requires the ability to communicate frequently and access to a data source as well as a school district or public telephone is not readily available.
- The employee’s job involves situations where immediate communication during and after normal school hours is necessary for safety and/or operational concerns of the District.
- As a condition of providing this cell phone or stipend, the employee is expected to carry the phone and be responsive to calls concerning District business during and outside of regular business hours.
Cell Phone Stipend Authorization – Cell phone stipends may be made available on a temporary or permanent basis, by the superintendent, to these employees to contribute to the costs associated with having a cell phone for work-related purposes in accordance with the following guidelines:
- The employee’s job responsibilities involves situations where immediate communication during and after normal school hours is necessary for the safety and/or operational concerns of the District.
- These employees may purchase and/or maintain cell phones and related equipment, at their own expense, to make themselves accessible to the District and to conduct District business more efficiently.
- As a condition of providing this cell phone or stipend, the employee is expected to carry the phone and be responsive to calls concerning District business during and outside of regular business hours.
- The stipend amount (as a flat rate) will be added to the employee’s regular pay. In order to meet IRS guidelines, any amount added for cell phone equipment or for cell phone service will be identified as a taxable amount.
Adopted: Unknown
Revised/Reviewed: 5.10.2021
