Volunteer Policy and Procedure

The Board of Education recognizes that community and parent volunteers make valuable contributions to the district’s schools and encourages volunteer participation in district programs. Further, parent and community involvement are essential components of high student achievement. The Board endorses a volunteer program and expects its professional staff to encourage and strengthen community and parent involvement in the schools.

The superintendent or designee will create appropriate procedures for attracting, screening and training community and parent volunteers. Volunteering in the district is a privilege, not a right. The district will conduct a screening before any volunteer is placed to work in a school building with students. The district will conduct criminal background checks before any volunteer is placed in a position where he or she will be left alone with a student. The district may decline the services of any volunteer for any legal reason. All information collected on volunteers will be considered confidential to the extent allowed by law and will only be used to protect the students or minimize disruption to the educational environment.

Although volunteers will provide support services, they are not substitutes for the professional building staff. Volunteers will work under the direction and supervision of district staff. (DCR1 Policy IICC)

DCR1 requires school volunteers who will have student contact, but not be left alone with students to complete a Name Search Background Check. Some of these activities might include, but are  not limited to, assisting/accompanying a class on a field trip, assisting with class parties, and other special occasions.  A school volunteer may complete a Name Search Background Check (approx. $12) by completing an application at the DCR1 office, 1323 S. Ash Street (requires three weeks) or accessing the website www.machs.mshp.dps.mo.gov  The online application requires an online payment but produces immediate results. The report generated should be provided to the central office to maintain a school volunteer list.

DCR1 requires school volunteers who will be left alone with students, including attending overnight trips with students, complete a Fingerprint Search Background Check (approx. $44). The volunteer must initiate this process at the district central office (requires three weeks), 1323 S. Ash Street to obtain directions and the district's 4-digit registration number required for the background check. For additional information, please contact Debbie Franklin, Central Office, 345-2222 

All volunteers must observe the following rules:

1.         Volunteers must follow the same dress code applicable to students.

2.         Volunteers will not lend money or bring gifts other than stickers and greeting cards to individual students unless authorized by the building principal or designee.

3.         Volunteers will not transport students.

4.         Volunteers will keep all information obtained from a student’s education record confidential.

5.         Volunteers will not photograph or videotape students unless authorized by the building principal or designee.

6.         Volunteers will not date students, have sexual relationships with students or arrange to meet students outside the regular school day or during school-sponsored events or activities.

7.         Volunteers will not dress students, change diapers, provide personal hygiene assistance or supply medication to students.

8.         Volunteers will use universal precautions to avoid contact with body fluids.

9.         Volunteers will receive district policies and procedures on computer use and will sign an authorized user form prior to having access to the district’s computers.

10.       Volunteers will not discriminate against or harass any person and will report all harassment or discrimination observed, in accordance with district policy.

11.       Volunteers will not search students or student property.

12.       Volunteers will not direct a student to remove an emblem, insignia or garment, including a religious emblem, insignia or garment. If the volunteer believes a student’s clothing is disruptive or promotes disruptive behavior, the volunteer will contact a staff member immediately.

13.       Volunteers must sign in and out of the office when entering or leaving the school and must document the hours volunteered in the school.

14.       Volunteers must report suspected cases of abuse or neglect to the building principal.

15.       Volunteers will follow all the policies, procedures and other rules established in the district and all applicable laws.

For more information access the following Policy IICC AP(1). Volunteers will be asked to renew their background check each five years.