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Board reviews first reading of fingerprint policy; volunteers would not receive federal FBI check under draft
Summary
On first reading the board reviewed a draft fingerprint‑based criminal history policy that would remove the federal (FBI) portion of fingerprinting for volunteers and limit volunteer checks to state level, with final approval expected next month.
The Mobridge‑Pollock 62‑6 School Board conducted the first reading of a fingerprint‑based criminal history record information (CHRI) policy that, in the draft under review, removes volunteers from the federal (FBI) portion of fingerprint submission and would instead limit volunteer background checks to the state level.
Staff member (S2) described the draft policy as a response to changes in practice tied to South Dakota law and the associate school board process. A board member summed up the change: “You can't do the federal part of that background check with volunteers,” and staff clarified volunteers would still be fingerprinted at the state level but those fingerprints would not be sent to the FBI.
The draft clarifies who receives federal checks: district employees (including those over 18 hired by the district) would continue to undergo the full fingerprint process and CHRI submission, and student teachers or instructors employed by technical colleges who teach district students are included in the federal screening. Volunteers would be excluded from the FBI submission piece under the new draft, though schools may continue to require state‑level checks.
Legal citation and next steps: staff cited South Dakota codified law 13‑10‑12 as the driver of the change and said the policy is in first draft form; the board will have additional opportunity to ask questions and the item is expected to return for approval at the next regular meeting.
Implications: the change alters the scope of federal fingerprinting for volunteers while retaining state‑level checks, and staff urged board members to review the draft and send questions prior to final consideration.
