1.  Volunteer
Definition and
Qualifications

A Volunteer is defined as any individual who performs a service for the School District without compensation, remuneration or other consideration and who otherwise meets the requirements of this policy.  The exceptions are those community members who participate in the school district program designed to provide tax relief (policy 624). A Volunteer must be at least 18 years of age.  A Volunteer need not be a parent of a student enrolled in the School District. 

Casual Volunteer:  An individual who comes to a school infrequently and works in the presence of a teacher/administrator when with students.  A casual volunteer shall not have unsupervised contact with students, and is not required to obtain Act 34 and Act 151 clearances.  Examples include: individuals who volunteer to assist in the planning or conducting of classroom celebrations; concert/performance ushers; and chaperones for post-prom activities.

Program Volunteer:  An individual who voluntarily provides services to the District, without compensation, and who: 1) works under the general direction and supervision of a teacher or administrator employed by the District; and 2) provides direct services to students or may, from time to time, have or may be reasonably expected to have unsupervised contact with students.  Examples include: volunteer tutors; chaperones for field trips and school dances; school store and book fair volunteers; volunteers who assist on the coaching staff of an athletic team; volunteer athletic trainers or equipment managers; and choreographers, musicians and other individuals who provide instruction to students in the marching band or school musical.

Final determination of a volunteer’s status is the responsibility of the principal or principal’s designee.

1. The role of Volunteers is to assist, but not replace or assume the professional or paraprofessional responsibilities or authority of, the School District staff. Volunteers shall not provide regular instruction or educational training to students enrolled in the School District.
   
   
2. Under no circumstances shall Volunteers be permitted to administer or enforce discipline upon students enrolled in the School District.
   
   
3. Volunteers shall follow all applicable administrative procedures established pursuant to Section 6 of this policy and shall follow all other rules, regulations and administrative guidelines concerning the conduct of the professional and paraprofessional staff of the School District including all of the requirements of the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA); provided, however that such rules, regulations and administrative procedures and guidelines shall not be deemed to expand the responsibility, authority or scope of activity applicable to Volunteers under this policy.

1. A Program Volunteer shall be required to complete, submit for approval, pay for and file in the office of the school building on whose behalf the Volunteer renders such services an Act 34 Criminal History Report and an Act 151 (Child Abuse) Clearance Statement. Once the required clearances are on file with the school district, the Program Volunteer will be required, on an annual basis, to sign an affirmation that they have not perpetrated or been convicted of any offense that would preclude their employment by the School District under Act 34 or Act 151 ("Volunteer Affirmation"). Volunteers will be required to renew their Act 34 Criminal History Report and Act 151 (Child Abuse) Clearance Statement every 5 years.
   
   
2. Casual Volunteers will be required, on an annual basis, to sign the Volunteer Affirmation contained in this policy, in the presence of the principal or principal’s designee.
   
   
3. Except in the case of an emergency, Volunteers shall not administer first aid or other medical assistance to students.
   
   
4. Except as specifically authorized by the Board on a case by case basis, Volunteers shall not be permitted to operate any motor vehicles owned by or under the control of School District, and Volunteers shall not be permitted to transport students by motor vehicle in support of any school program.

1. Each building principal or designee shall be responsible for training the Volunteers to perform the specific duties associated with their assignments.
   
   
2. Each building principal or designee shall assume general authority and responsibility over the Volunteers performing services of any kind at or on behalf of the school, including, without limitation, the responsibility for overseeing the filing of Act 34 Criminal History Reports, Act 151 Clearance Statements and Volunteer Affirmations.
   
   
3. No such procedures adopted by the schools within the School District shall be inconsistent with the terms and conditions of this policy.
   
   
4. All such procedures adopted by the schools within the School District shall be subject to the approval of the Superintendent.