Volunteer

Definition

     Volunteers are persons who do not receive compensation for assisting in school or District programs. Volunteers are encouraged to use their time and effort to support school and District programs. The Superintendent shall develop procedures that encourage volunteers to assist in school and/or District programs and to facilitate effective communication with persons who volunteer.

     Teacher education students or students enrolled in an educational institution and who participate in observations and educational activities under direct supervision of a local school teacher or administrator in a public school shall not be considered volunteers.

Supervision

    All volunteers shall provide assistance only under the direction and supervision of a member of the professional administrative and teaching staff.¹

     Volunteers who assist in the District on a scheduled and/or continuing basis shall be provided with the same liability insurance coverage as a District employee and shall be provided with a written task description detailing responsibilities and expectations, as well as specific qualifications that may be required.

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The District shall require a state, and when required, and national criminal records check on all volunteers who have contact with students on a regularly scheduled and/or continuing basis, or who have supervisory responsibility for children at a school site or on school-sponsored trips.

     Pursuant to KRS 160.380, the Superintendent/designee also may require volunteers to submit to a state and national criminal (fingerprint) history background check and to provide a clear CA/N check. The volunteer is responsible for payment of the background check unless the Superintendent/designee gives prior written approval for payment by the District.

     No volunteer shall be utilized to supervise students, or deemed to have the authority to supervise students, unless the volunteer has been designated to supervise students by the Principal and approved by the Superintendent/designee, and the volunteer has undergone the required records check.

Work-Based Site Supervisors

     Work-based learning site supervisors are considered volunteers. Pursuant to KRS 160.380 and KRS 161.148, prior to being assigned to supervise a student for more than one (1) day in a work-based learning experience, the site supervisor shall have undergone a state criminal background check either as required by their employer at time of employment or within the past twelve (12) months, whichever is the more recent.

Orientation

     The Superintendent/designee shall develop orientation materials to be provided to all volunteers who have contact with students on a regularly scheduled or continuing basis. These materials shall include, but not be limited to, pertinent policies and safety and emergency procedures.