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RSD 13 to cover designated volunteer background checks; revised policy moves back to second read
Summary
After public comment, the board returned the volunteer policy to first read and clarified that criminal and DCF checks apply only when an adult would be alone with students; the district will pay costs (estimated $100 per check) and encourages volunteers to start checks early.
Regional School District 13 moved its revised volunteer background‑check policy back to a first read after public comments raised operational questions about who coordinates checks and how costs and timing are handled.
Amanda Betty asked whether the district would designate a single coordinator to manage volunteer background checks and how payment would be handled for short‑notice field trips. Administration clarified the policy language: background checks are required only for volunteers who will be alone with students (including overnight trips) or otherwise meet the “designated volunteer” threshold. Typical parent volunteers who accompany staff on trips are not required to get a designated background check so long as an employee remains with the group.
District staff said the cost for combined criminal history and DCF checks is approximately $100 per designated volunteer and that the district will bear that cost. Checks will generally be valid for five years; staff estimate a modest budgetary impact (roughly $2,000 if 20 designated volunteers are processed). The administration said it would encourage likely volunteers — people who frequently chaperone or participate in overnight trips — to start the process in advance to avoid timing problems for field trips.
The revised regulations permit employees who live in the district to volunteer for their children’s activities with five days’ notice to their supervisor; if the activity is not a district assignment, employees should use an approved personal day consistent with their collective bargaining agreements. Exclusions were clarified: the regulations apply only to school‑sponsored activities tied to curriculum and learning goals and do not extend to events run by outside organizations (e.g., the Durham Fair).
With those clarifications, the board moved the volunteer policy to a second read (no final adoption at this meeting) and asked staff to produce clear step‑by‑step workflow guidance for volunteers and administrators.
