At the last Board of Education meeting (October 4, 2012), the Board of Education discussed a number of issues. In addition to conducting the usual business of the Board – approving the consent calendar (or in layman’s terms, routine items dealing with the day-to-day business of the District) after a scrutiny of all the items – there was a substantial discussion of the District’s volunteer policy. Superintendent Stephenson described the policy as one that “erred on the side of caution.”
Currently, all volunteers are required to submit a background check conducted by the DoJ/FBI, proof of a clear TB test, in addition to an application form. Several members of the public commented that the process as it stands today has too many hoops to jump through, and has deterred volunteerism. The Board agreed to revisit the policy and study ways to protect students, remain legally compliant, while not discouraging volunteers.
