The North Kansas City School District encourages district employees to use technology, including
cell phones, to improve efficiency and safety. The district expects all employees to use such devices
in a responsible manner that does not interfere with the employee's job duties. Employees who
violate district policy and procedures regarding cell phone use may be disciplined, up to and
including termination, and may be prohibited from possessing or using a cell phone while at work.
Cell phones may not be used in any manner that would violate the district's policy on student-staff
relations.
Definitions
Cell Phone – All portable devices except laptops that send or receive calls or text messages, allow
the retrieval of e-mail or provide access to the Internet.
General Cell Phone Use
The district prohibits any employee cell phone use that interrupts or disrupts the performance of
duties by the employee or otherwise interferes with district operations, as determined by the
employee's supervisor. This prohibition applies regardless of whether the cell phone used is owned
by the employee or provided by the district.
Supervision of students is a priority in the district, and employees who are responsible for
supervising students must concentrate on that task at all times. Employees shall not use a cell phone
when they are responsible for supervising students unless any of the following conditions occurs:
1. There is an emergency.
2. The use is necessary to the performance of an employment-related duty at that particular time
and cannot be avoided.
3. The employee has received specific and direct permission from a supervisor. Supervisors
shall limit such permission to unusual circumstances such as communication regarding a
family birth or surgery.
Even when these conditions exist, the employee is responsible for obtaining assistance in adequately
supervising students during the approved use so that students are supervised at all times.
Use in Vehicles
Regardless of other provisions of this policy, unless there is an emergency, employees shall not use
cell phones when:
1. Driving district-provided vehicles.
2. Operating a vehicle in which a student is being transported on district property.
3. Supervising students who are entering or exiting a vehicle, crossing thoroughfares or
otherwise safely reaching their destinations.
Even in emergency situations, employees should first take all possible safety precautions before
using cell phones.
Technology Safety
To protect district technology, the district does not allow personal cell phones to be synchronized
with the district's network. Employees should contact the district's technology director for alternative
methods of synchronization, if feasible.
Use of District-Provided Cell Phones
The district may provide cell phones and service to some employees to assist them in carrying out
their employment-related duties on and off district property. Use of a district-provided cell phone
is a privilege. The superintendent or designee has sole discretion as to which employees will be
provided cell phones and may recall any previously issued cell phone. Employees do not have any
expectation of privacy in district-provided cell phones or any information stored on them, and such
phones may be confiscated and searched at any time.
Employees are expected to exercise reasonable care to protect district-provided cell phones from
damage or theft and must report any such incidents immediately. The district may require employees
to reimburse the district for any damage or theft that was the result of the employee's negligence.
Users of district-provided cell phones must abide by any use limitations included in the district's
service contract.
Personal Use of District-Provided Cell Phones
Personal use of district-provided cell phones is permissible as long as the use does not exceed the
limits of the applicable plan. However, personal use of a cell phone is not permitted if the phone or
service is paid for under E-Rate. An employee whose use exceeds plan limitations will be required
to reimburse the district for all expenses beyond those covered by the plan and may have privileges
suspended or revoked unless the employee can show that all use was for employment-related duties
and the phone was not used for personal reasons.
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Note: The reader is encouraged to check the index located at the beginning of this section
for other pertinent policies and to review administrative procedures and/or forms for
related information.
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Adopted: 06/08/2010
Cross Refs: AC, Prohibition Against Illegal Discrimination and Harassment
EHB, Technology Usage
Legal Refs: U.S. Const. amend. IV
47 C.F.R. §§ 54.500, .513, .522
North Kansas City School District, Kansas City, Missouri
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