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Souderton Area SD holds first reading of revised volunteer policy, clarifies guest vs. position volunteers
Summary
The policy committee reviewed proposed revisions to Policy 916 to update volunteer classifications, background-check requirements and confidentiality rules; the policy will return for subsequent readings before implementation next school year.
The Souders ton Area SD policy committee reviewed proposed revisions to Policy 916 (School Volunteers) at its committee meeting, beginning a first reading of the policy designed to update volunteer classifications, background-check mandates and confidentiality expectations.
District staff member Dr. Gallagher summarized the draft policy changes and said the district is proposing terminology updates and added definitions “per PSBA guidelines and the school code,” while keeping existing procedures largely intact. He said the district’s goal is to have the updated policy in place for the start of the next school year.
The draft replaces the current “casual volunteer” and “program volunteer” labels with “guest volunteer” and “position volunteer.” Dr. Gallagher said guest volunteers have no direct supervision or responsibility for students (examples: class party helpers or mystery readers) and therefore are not required to undergo background checks. Position volunteers — the example given was parents who chaperone field trips — do have limited direct supervisory responsibilities and will be required to complete background checks and health screenings.
Dr. Gallagher outlined the checks and clearances the policy requires for position volunteers: child-abuse clearance, state police clearance and an FBI fingerprint clearance unless the person has lived continuously in Pennsylvania for the last 10 years (in which case the law allows omitting the FBI fingerprint clearance). He also said tuberculosis testing is required for all employees and position volunteers under the school code. On TB testing cost, Dr. Gallagher stated the public may expect to pay about $20 to $30, depending on provider and insurance.
Board members and members of the public praised volunteers and asked clarifying questions about recertification windows for TB tests, where to obtain fingerprinting and whether part-time employees who volunteer must repeat clearances. Dr. Gallagher responded that employees already subject to employment background checks would not need to repeat them to volunteer and that fingerprinting is offered through Identogo or the district’s volunteer portal processes.
Committee members emphasized the confidentiality provisions in the revised language and asked staff to ensure forms and procedures are updated after the policy is adopted. Dr. Gallagher said the plan is to revise volunteer paperwork and implement procedural changes once Policy 916 completes its readings.
No formal vote adopting the policy occurred at the committee meeting; the committee completed a first reading and indicated the policy will return for further readings at subsequent board action meetings.
