Volunteers
Policies and Clearances
The General McLane School District is always seeking additional help in a variety of ways and at a variety of times. Parents are encouraged to become involved and visit whenever possible. In addition to needing volunteers for individual schools special events or athletic teams, the school district has many other tasks that require extra hours to complete. Volunteers play an important part in helping to ensure the students of the General McLane School District have every advantage. The school district requires all volunteers to file Act 34, Act 151 and FBI clearances with the district prior to any one-to-one participation with the students. These applications may be obtained at any school office within the district or on the districts’ web site @ www.generalmclane.net
Background:
It was determined in 1998 that parent volunteers should be required to secure proper clearances if they planned to volunteer in their child’s classroom or participate in a field trip. Initially it was intended that only regular and frequent volunteers would be required to secure clearances. Over the years the process has evolved to the point where a large number of volunteers secure clearances at a considerable cost to the district.
Current Situation: Initially two clearances were required, a Criminal Background Check and a Child Abuse Clearance at a cost of $10 for each clearance. A more involved, more expensive FBI clearance has been added at at cost of $40.00. This will not only increase the cost of clearances but also the time frame to secure clearances. With these changes in mind the administration recommend we do the following:
| 1) | Restrict requirements for clearances to the following: | |
| a) | in-school volunteers who will be alone with students; | |
| b) | over night field trip volunteers; | |
| c) | field trip volunteers who will be alone with students; and | |
| d) | volunteers assistant (sports). | |
| 2) | Volunteers with clearances will be given a special ID and clearly identified to staff as a “Certified Volunteer.” | |
| 3) | Volunteers wishing to become “Certified Volunteers” will complete an application to be approved to pursue this certification. Building annual limits will be 10 for each elementary and middle school and 30 for high school. | |
| 4) | If approved the volunteer will complete the clearance process and submit original clearances to the district. The district will pay for clearances within the limits listed in Item 3. Should a parent want to keep the clearances they can reimburse the district for the fees. | |
| 5) | Efforts will be made to only certify those volunteers who will truly need clearances to be alone with children. | |
| 6) | Volunteers who have previously secured clearances will be grand fathered. | |
| 7) | Any volunteers now and into the future will be required to secure all three of the mandated clearances. | |