Pitt County board weighs volunteer background checks; staff to draft hybrid Raptor option

The Pitt County Board of Education spent more than an hour on Monday reviewing options for volunteer and visitor background checks and asked staff to return with a hybrid policy that combines principal approval with an online option that places the cost on the individual.

Dr. Patterson, presenting background-check options in the Raptor system, told the board there are three choices under consideration. “Option 1 is what we have currently been doing, which is the level 1 check. This is the sex-offender registry check only,” Dr. Patterson said. He described Option 2 as “the level 2 background check, which is better for our volunteers” because it performs a national criminal-history check and local-court searches and requires principal sign-off and HR processing. Option 3 is the same level 2 check completed online without principal or HR involvement; the vendor charges the district $19 when a check is submitted.

Board members raised concerns about three things in particular: cost and charge-backs if many people submit unnecessary checks; equitable access for residents who live far from central office; and the district’s need to know who is working with students. Mary Mosby said she favored a process that keeps principals informed because “these are our babies; this is about precious cargo.” Other board members urged technological safeguards — for example, a unique or temporary access code so a publicly posted link could not be widely shared.

Dr. Lassiter summarized the consensus and directed staff to work on a fourth option. “Based on what I’ve heard, our work session will bring you a hybrid option of 2, which is the thorough background check, principal approval… and then the piece where it says the background check for option 3, and it’s completed online,” he said. The superintendent asked Dr. Patterson to draft that hybrid (Option 4) with details on whether the online submission will require payment by the applicant and how principals may accommodate hardship cases.

Key operational details discussed: - Level 2 checks require additional identifying information (the district noted Social Security number is part of that check) and are set to remain valid for two years; volunteers receive a notification about renewal 30 days before expiration. - The vendor fee for each level 2 submission is $19 whether the check is initiated in HR or via the online link. - Staff described a potential rollout that would allow principals to supply a one-time code or otherwise control online access if the board directs it.

The board did not vote on a final procedure at the meeting. Instead members asked staff to return with a draft hybrid policy and implementation recommendations for a future work session. The discussion was procedural; no changes to school-level sign-in procedures were made during the meeting.

Ending: The board emphasized safety as the primary concern and requested staff balance principal oversight, rural access, and cost control when drafting the hybrid option for further review.