8120 - VOLUNTEERS

Greater Clark County School Corporation

Bylaws & Policies

8120 - VOLUNTEERS

The School Board recognizes that certain programs and activities can be enhanced through the use of volunteers who have particular knowledge or skills that will be helpful to members of the staff responsible for the conduct of those programs and activities.

The Superintendent shall be responsible for recruiting community volunteers, reviewing their capabilities, and making appropriate placements. The Superintendent shall not be obligated to make use of volunteers whose abilities are not compatible with School Corporation needs.

Each volunteer who is in regular and continuing direct contact* with students will be required to submit to an Expanded Criminal History Record Check which shall include:

	A.	an expanded criminal history check (as defined by I.C. 20-26-2-1.5) of the criminal history record system maintained by the Federal Bureau of Investigation based on fingerprint identification or another method of positive identification;

	B.	an expanded child protection index check as defined by I.C. 20-26-2-1.3;

	C.	search of the national sex offender registry maintained by the United States Department of Justice;

	D.	beginning July 1, 2017, a search of the State child abuse registry;

	E.	an Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles driver history if the position involves driving.

*Direct contact is defined as regular and continuing contact with a student or students, including, but not limited to: volunteer coaches for any sport/activity; classroom reading coaches and overnight field trip chaperones. For these volunteer positions an Expanded Criminal History Record Check is required.

A Limited Criminal History Record Check is required for volunteers participating in school day field trips.

Criminal History Record Checks are not required for: occasional lunch visits by parents; helpers at a classroom party, unless they are responsible for supervision of GCCS students, then a Limited Criminal History Background Check is required; and persons attending public events at the school, unless they are responsible for the supervision of GCCS students, then a Limited Criminal History Background Check is required.

Costs associated with obtaining either a Limited or Expanded Criminal History Background Check will be paid for by GCCS.

A volunteer will not need to have a background check done for each school; but will need to indicate on the Volunteer Form where s/he has volunteered. The Human Resources Department will maintain a data base on volunteers that can be reviewed by principals and others to determine if a search or an updated search is needed.

The procedures shall ensure that information and records obtained from criminal history inquiries under this policy are confidential and shall not be released except as necessary to implement this policy or to defend a decision made pursuant to this policy.

The Superintendent or his/her designee is to inform each volunteer that s/he:

	A.	shall agree to abide by all Board policies and Corporation guidelines while on duty as a volunteer;

	B.	will be covered under the Corporation's liability policy but the Corporation shall not provide any type of health insurance to cover illness or accident incurred while serving as a volunteer, nor is the volunteer eligible for workers' compensation;

	C.	will be asked to sign a form releasing the Corporation of any obligation should the volunteer become ill or receive an injury as a result of his/her volunteer services;

	D.	will be required to report any arrests, the filing of criminal charges against him/her, or convictions for a crime while serving as a volunteer;

	E.	will be required to report any substantiated report of child abuse or neglect of which s/he is the subject.

The Superintendent or his/her designee also shall ensure that each volunteer is properly informed of the Corporation's appreciation for his/her time and efforts in assisting the operation of the schools.

I.C. 5-2-22
I.C. 10-13-3
I.C. 20-26-2-1.3
I.C. 20-26-2-1.5
I.C. 20-26-5-10, -11 and -11.5

Revised 3/7/17
Revised 2/6/18