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Board member urges tiered volunteer clearances; committee asks administration for proposal
Summary
A board member asked the committee to consider a tiered volunteer-clearance system so low-risk volunteers (e.g., snack-stand workers) would not require full fingerprints and clearances, while staff said policy fidelity and safety remain priorities.
Board members discussed Policy 9.16 (Volunteer policy) after concerns surfaced about inconsistent implementation and the burden of fingerprint-based clearances for low-risk activities such as running snack stands.
What was raised: A committee member reported booster clubs and volunteers have difficulty filling roles because the district currently requires full security clearances for many activities that never involve unsupervised contact with students. "Volunteers that work at a snack stand at a football game ... sometimes they have to wait till the last minute. People won't have those clearances," the board member said.
Options discussed: Committee members proposed a tiered system similar to neighboring districts, where volunteers with no direct access to students (parking attendants, snack-stand staff) would have a lower clearance requirement, while chaperones, bus volunteers and anyone with unsupervised access would retain the highest clearance standards. Administration stressed the policy itself must be followed and asked any proposed changes include justification and a safety rationale.
Next steps: The committee asked the board member to submit a proposed tiered model and examples from other districts. Administration said it will review the proposal and return with analysis of liability, costs and operational impacts.
