Board flags volunteer fingerprinting language in criminal‑records policy for clarification

Board members on Tuesday reviewed an updated criminal‑records and fingerprinting policy and asked administration to clarify which volunteers must submit fingerprint‑based checks.

The policy text (GCDAGDDA) incorporates OSBA sample language and distinguishes criminal‑records checks from fingerprint‑based checks. The draft lists categories of volunteers who must submit fingerprinting when they have “direct unsupervised contact with students,” and directors questioned whether youth coaches and parents providing transportation on district‑sponsored trips would be covered.

"How does under requirements for volunteers volunteers transporting students other than their own in a private vehicle off district property for a district sponsored activity. That happens all the time with parents driving kids here and there," a director asked. Administrators replied that district‑sponsored activities that use private vehicles would be covered under the fingerprinting requirement; private arrangements among families would not.

Directors also sought confirmation about whether standard volunteer background checks remain in place for all volunteers and whether fingerprinting is an additional requirement for listed categories. Administration said they would review the policy to ensure the volunteer form and communication clearly explain which volunteers need fingerprinting and would provide cross‑references to other volunteer/background check policies.

Ending: Administration agreed to review the policy text, confirm existing volunteer background‑check procedures, and return clarified language (and links to related district policies) in the next packet so the board can consider the language for inclusion in the consent agenda.