Procedure 8150 - Cellular Telephones

Guidelines For Use Of Cellular Phones 

1. District-Owned Cellular Phones 

The issues addressed in this section are intended to allow District staff to make use of the cellular telephone (cell phone) technology in their work, and yet avoid conditions that run the risk of violating laws that prohibit personal use of public property. Failure to follow these guidelines could result in consequences for the District and/or staff involved. 

The guidelines are as follows: 

• Whenever a District cell phone is lost, stolen, vandalized or destroyed, the matter must be reported to both the Executive Director of Financial Services and the Director of Information Services within two business days. 
• Any employee who maintains a District-owned cell phone and/or attachments is personally responsible for its security and may be required to replace such items in cases of negligence or loss. The employee’s immediate supervisor will determine whether or not the employee was at fault for such loss. 
• Except in emergencies, District-owned cell phones may not be used for personal calls. Phone bills may be monitored for abuse. In the event there is abuse, the employee must reimburse the District for the cost of personal calls. 
• Discretion should be used in discussing confidential or sensitive information on cell phones because cellular transmissions are not secure. 
• Any employee who uses or is assigned a District-owned cell phone must sign and submit to his/her supervisor (cabinet-level administrator) the “District-Owned Cellular Telephone Check-Out Form.” Upon discontinuance of the use of the cell phone and/or when leaving employment with the District, the employee must turn in the cell phone to the cabinet-level administrator and have the return noted on the form. 

2. Personally-Owned Cellular Phones 

• Employees’ use of personal cell phones will be considered to be for personal business, and such personal business shall not have an adverse impact on the employee’s productivity during work hours. Employees may be disciplined if they violate this section. 
• In an emergency and in situations where there are no other phones available, employees may use their personal cell phones to conduct school business. Employees may be reimbursement by submitting a copy of the bill with the appropriate call(s) identified and a completed District Reimbursement Form, signed by the employee’s supervisor. Reimbursement will be at the state contract rate. Bills must be submitted prior to June 30 of each year. 
• The District will not be liable for loss, damage, theft, vandalism, or repair of personal cell phones. All related expenses and/or replacement costs would be the responsibility of the owner. 
• When permissible, the District/state cell phone contract may be used to obtain equipment or service for personal use. 

 District-Owned Cellular Telephone Checkout Form

Adoption: