The Board of Education discussed two major issues at its latest meeting, held Tuesday, October 18, 2011. After an uneventful review of the consent calendar (for those who missed the previous update, the consent calendar is a list of items that keep the District running day-to-day) – which included over 130 new volunteers – the Board moved into the meat of the meeting.
First up was an update on the progress of the aquatic center. Construction manager Tom Murphy informed the Board that a problem with window delivery would hinder progress by a few weeks. Murphy went on to say, “I cannot assess the complete effect of the windows…” and said he cannot provide a completion date until the windows arrive onsite. The construction update was paired with an update on the financials of the project, which is expected to finish within the $10 million budget.
Following the construction progress update, a review of the fee schedule for the new pool was conducted. Board Member Rosenbaum and Albany Teachers Association President Dave DeHart noted that there was no provision for District teachers and staff to receive complimentary access. In spite of persistent requests to include such a provision, the Board passed the fee schedule without alteration.
Discussion then moved into a review and approval of Board Policies, followed by a look at the Administrative Regulation concerning volunteers in schools (AR 1240). In the proposed revision to the AR, Superintendent Stephenson suggested the removal of hurdles for volunteers whose contact with student is limited. Three classes of volunteers were proposed:
Volunteer I: Volunteers under constant supervision. Largely a renaming of the class of volunteer previously known as “visitor,” the proposed category would expand to include those assisting on day trips and those volunteering for less than one hour per week. This category of volunteers would be required to sign in, with photo ID, and would not be subjected to a volunteer application, fingerprinting, or TB test.
Volunteer II: Volunteers not under constant supervision. Almost all volunteers not falling under the category of “Volunteer I” would fall into this category: drivers, volunteers with one-on-one contact, and regular volunteers (those volunteering more than one hour per week). All volunteers in this category would be required to fill out an application, get fingerprinting clearance, and pass a TB test. Drivers would also need to turn in appropriate driving forms (no change from existing policy).
Volunteer III: Activity and sports coaches. The most specific of the volunteer categories, “Volunteer III” applicants would need to submit special clearance in the form of an “Activity Supervisor Clearance Certificate.”
Superintendent Stephenson noted that the 2011-12 school-year would be the most difficult year for the policy: once fingerprinted, volunteers would not need to be re-fingerprinted.
Albany High student Teo Maldonado commented that in spite of all the good intentions, the policy has taken its toll: his father, who previously drove to sporting events, ceased to volunteer his time when he learned of the fingerprinting requirement, citing it as an infringement upon his right to privacy.
The next regularly scheduled Board meeting will occur on Tuesday, November 1, 2011 at 7 PM at Albany City Hall (1000 San Pablo Avenue).
