Board approves tighter volunteer and chaperone rules, including level-2 background checks for certain situations
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Summary
The Duval County School Board adopted Chapter 9 revisions to volunteer and chaperone requirements that will require level-2 background checks for volunteers or chaperones who may be out of sight of district staff; the change takes effect next school year.
The Duval County School Board on March 4 adopted changes to Chapter 9 of the district policy manual that expand volunteer and chaperone background-check requirements.
Superintendent Michael Bernier explained staff recommended requiring level-2 background screening — the higher fingerprint-based check used for employees — for volunteers or chaperones who could be placed in situations where they might be out of sight of certificated staff (for example, certain overnight trips or off-site clinical rotations). Bernier said the intent is to reduce situations in which an adult volunteer could be alone with a group of students.
Board members asked how long a level-2 clearance would remain valid; staff said they would confirm the clearinghouse timeline but expected the clearance to remain valid multi-year and that the policy would not be enforced for activities next week — it takes effect for the next school year.
The board approved the policy changes 7–0. Bernier and counsel noted the district will publish guidance and procedures including where line-of-sight exceptions apply and how parents can continue to volunteer under standard in-school supervision.
Action: motion passed 7–0. Staff will provide a follow-up memo on vendor options and timing for obtaining level-2 checks so families who wish to chaperone can plan ahead.
