DeKalb Schools recently proposed a new Visitor and Volunteer Policy. A committee has been meeting to review all of the feedback and to make substantial revisions to this proposed policy. The “new” revised policy is expected to come back to the Board for First Read and stakeholder feedback at a later time once the issues brought up from the first round of feedback are resolved.
The administration would like to thank the community for their feedback. They have provided me with answers to some of the more popular questions.
Visitor and Volunteer Policy FAQ
1. Does the volunteer policy include those that may work for a school foundation. One of the requirements of the Foundation to be a tutor is to go to the local police dept and have a background check. Would this policy require us to go to DCSD and have a background check and fingerprints?
Volunteers can get background checks in other places as long as the level of the background check performed meets DCSD standards. The standards have to be checked by DCSD Public Safety. This is important to ensure the safety of our students, staff and stakeholders.
2. What is the cost per person of the proposed requirement?
$41.00
3. Will DCSD make money off this and if so, how will that money be used?
The amount for volunteers is $36.50 paid directly to GBI and $4.50 ID card fee paid directly to the District. These funds are also deposited into the District’s general fund. DCSD does not profit from the cost of this requirement.
4. Do all volunteers have to go to DCSD for the checks or can they be checked elsewhere?
Volunteers can get background checks in other places as long as the level of the background check performed meets DCSD standards. The standards have to be checked by DCSD Public Safety. This is important to ensure the safety of our students, staff and stakeholders.
5. Will additional staff have to be hired to handle this?
No
6. Will a parent volunteer that has kids at 2, 3, 4 schools and involved in multiple clubs/sports/volunteer activities be required to do one at each school, one for each volunteer activity or just one for all of them? How will this info be stored?
The parent volunteer will only be required to perform one background check. Once they are cleared, their background check will be good district-wide. A hard copy of the information regarding the background check is stored in a secure file area located in the Public Safety precinct. Information is only accessible by Public Safety.
7. If the info is kept online, what steps are being taken to make sure the personal data is secure?
The information is not kept online.
8. How will the policy be enforced?
The school administrator will be responsible for enforcing the policy.
9. What is the plan to increase parent engagement among those that can’t afford this background check and fingerprinting?
The policy is being reviewed and revised to further consider developing categories of volunteers with the goal of limiting the number of volunteers that would require background checks and to limit the potential impact on parent engagement.
10. Will some schools have to use principal discretionary, Title 1, etc. funds to pay for these in order to get volunteers? I am very concerned that this policy will prevent many from being able to participate because of the financial expectation.
Administrators will not be required to use their discretionary funds but may be able to do so if they choose.
“Extremism in defense of liberty is no vice. Moderation in pursuit of justice is no virtue.”