| Southern Local School District |
| Bylaws & Policies |
7530.01 - STAFF USE OF CELLULAR TELEPHONES
The Board of Education may 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 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:
| A. | the need for each Board-owned cellular telephone and cellular telephone service account is clearly justified for Board business purposes; | |
| B. | alternative solutions for work production and communication have been considered; | |
| C. | employees provided with cellular telephone service accounts understand the purpose and limitations of usage; | |
| D. | cellular telephone service account invoices outlining the details of usage are received and reviewed for conformance with this policy; | |
| E. | employees reimburse the Board for non-business use if required by this policy; | |
| F. | use of a cellular telephone service account is terminated when no longer justified by business requirements, the employee leaves the Board’s employment, and/or when the employee has by actions demonstrated a disregard for the limitation 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 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.
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 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.
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.
Use of Board-Owned Cellular Telephones for Personal Calls
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.
Adopted 2/3/05