The building administrator or his/her designee is responsible for administering and directing the school’s volunteer program.
A. GENERAL PRINCIPLES AND REQUIREMENTS
The District values the work of its volunteers. All volunteers shall adhere to the following requirements:
1. Participate in volunteer training when required.
2. Work within the guidelines established by the responsible administrator/staff member.
3. Supply supplemental and supportive service.
4. Work under the direction and supervision of teachers or other members of the school staff.
5. Perform tasks assigned by their supervisor and approved by the responsible administrator, excluding access to student records.
6. Maintain strict confidentiality with all school or classroom information to which they have access while performing their volunteer activities.
7. Serve in an auxiliary capacity under the direction and supervision of professional school personnel. Volunteers do not have access to confidential files and records. Teachers, administrators, and volunteers shall be aware of all state and local policies, procedures, and laws relevant to volunteer responsibilities.
B. PROCEDURES FOR VOLUNTEERS
When beginning an assignment, a disclosure statement shall be collected on a separate card, reviewed and approved by the principal, and kept on file at each school for all Level I and Level II volunteers. Each time a volunteer enters the building, the following procedures will apply: 1. Report to the principal’s office or other designated location and sign-in and sign-out, noting name, date, time of day, and length of volunteer service and 2. Wear a nametag provided by the school.
C. VOLUNTEER TRAINING AND ORIENTATION
Training of volunteers shall include the following topics:
1. Clear understanding of their roles and responsibilities
2. Information about the school, its staff, educational programs, and activities
3. Rules, regulations, and day to day operations of the school
4. Sign-in procedures
5. Emergency procedures
6. Parking
7. Use of phones
8. Location of restrooms
9. Tobacco/Nicotine prohibition (See board policy # 905.4 – Tobacco/Nicotine Free Environment)
10. Specifics of their volunteer assignment
11. Start date
D. SCHOOL RESPONSIBILITIES FOR VOLUNTEERS
Each school Principal or designee will be responsible for the following:
1. Provide for or arrange for training sessions for its volunteers
2. Maintain a volunteer log
3. Maintain volunteer application forms and Disclosure Statements
4. Communicate regularly with volunteers
5. Thank and appreciate their volunteers
E. VOLUNTEER DESIGNATIONS
The District utilizes many types of volunteers who work in varying capacities. The types or categories are described below.
1. Level I
Volunteers who provide direct services to students on a regular basis and may be asked to assume some direct supervision of a student or group of students. Examples include, but are not limited to the following: one-to-one or small group mentoring (i.e. mentors) or tutoring (i.e reading volunteers); chaperon for an overnight event or field trips, sports coaches/assistants of school-sponsored teams.
2. Level II
Volunteers who provide limited services to students on an occasional basis and who will not assume direct supervision of students OR volunteers who occasionally assist with clerical duties in classrooms or offices. Examples include, but are not limited to the following: clerical assistant, classroom helper, library assistant.
F. VISITOR DESIGNATIONS
Persons who are members of non-school organizations and groups that come to classrooms to present programs with teachers or other staff members present. These visitors to the school are part of a one time entrance to the school and staff are present for the entire time they are in the building. Examples include, but are not limited to the following: outside resource speakers for classrooms or assemblies, Junior Achievement presenters, career exploration presenters, etc...
Procedures for visitors to the building are addressed in Board Policy 903.3.
Legal Reference: Iowa Code, Chapter 22 (2003)
Department of Education School Rules of Iowa, Chapter 11.4(5)
Approved: January 1997
Reviewed: February 1999, July 2009, March 2012, March 2015, March 2018, January 2022
