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Cumberland County Schools urges volunteers and business partners to sign up; background checks provided free
Summary
Cumberland County Schools officials and a longtime business partner described volunteer roles, matching processes and examples of support on the "Let's Talk Education" radio program, and directed listeners to the district volunteer portal at ccs.k12.nc.us.
Cumberland County Schools on a local radio program urged residents and businesses to volunteer or provide donations, describing specific roles, a needs-based sign-up process and a free background-check requirement for many school-based volunteers.
On the monthly program Let's Talk Education, Dr. Lindsey Whitley, associate superintendent of communications and community engagement for Cumberland County Schools, said the district uses a school-level needs assessment and posts those needs online so volunteers can find appropriate opportunities. "We have a detailed listing, on that website, and that's ccs.k12.nc.us," Whitley said.
The program focused on why volunteers matter and how the district matches volunteers with classroom and school needs. "When we think about Cumberland County Schools, we're here for student success," Whitley said. She described opportunities ranging from one-on-one mentoring and lunchtime check-ins to helping in front offices, relieving classrooms for short periods, donating supplies and supporting trade programs.
Rusty Hinton, general manager of Lafayette Ford and Lafayette Lincoln and a community partner, described both financial and time contributions by his dealership and employees, including book-bag and school-supply drives, scholarships for FFA students, support for athletic programs, help maintaining fields and donating supplies for career-and-technical education classes. He recalled bringing soccer equipment and mentoring students at Walker Spivey and said those interactions were "very eye opening" for staff and students.
Whitley said the district asks each school to complete an annual needs assessment so community members can see school-specific requests. "We try to get all 86 schools to complete that," she said, and those requests are available by school on the district website so partners can "align with the needs of the school."
On volunteer screening, Whitley said, "there is a volunteer background check. . . that is totally free of charge to the volunteer or the community member. And so usually that process within a couple weeks . . . we can often have your background check." She directed listeners to the district's community/volunteer page to begin the process.
Examples cited on the program included dealership staff changing oil for teachers, a committed-community-support award presented to Lafayette Ford and Lafayette Lincoln, and business donations that buy uniforms or materials for trade programs at schools such as Westover and E. Smith. The guests emphasized both time and financial support: "We want you to come and volunteer with your time, but we need those checks," Whitley said.
Hosts also noted practical ways to help beyond in-person volunteering, such as sharing volunteer information through churches, fraternities, sororities or other community groups. Whitley described ambassadors who spread the word about openings as valuable when direct volunteer time is limited.
The program did not propose new district policy or report any board actions; it was a community outreach segment explaining existing volunteer opportunities and how to enroll. For sign-ups and more details, speakers repeatedly directed listeners to the Cumberland County Schools volunteer portal at www.ccs.k12.nc.us.
