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Schools

Following Some Confusion, Here's The Skinny on Not-So-New Parent Volunteering Rules in Albany Schools

The school district is stepping up enforcement of a 2009 volunteer policy that calls for fingerprint criminal background checks and a TB clearance.

Parents from at least one of Albany’s elementary schools are scurrying to comply with district volunteer requirements that include a criminal background fingerprint clearance and recent tuberculosis check.

began enforcing the rules in recent months, prompting some confusion among parents, as the rules have been on the books for years.

“I am surprised by the assumption that we are already aware of this. And I doubt I’m the only one,” wrote , a parent, on a Marin email list exchange on the topic. 

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“Of course it's possible that I've simply missed some announcement, but I would really like a more detailed notice and explanation from the school district.”

Lewis went on to say she doesn’t object to the requirements. “The safety and security of our children when under the supervision of parent volunteers is important,” she wrote.

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School district getting its “act together” on a 2009 policy  

Indeed, Superintendent says the district is “getting our act together” in regards to the clearance requirements for school volunteers, which were approved by the in 2009. 

“There was no gap of enforcement from the District Office perspective. I think there were varying levels of understanding at the sites," Stephenson said in an email. "We are trying to follow policy and be consistent."

In June 2009, the passed a comprehensive policy on school volunteers and visitors, after some child molestation charges and convictions, Stephenson said. 

Volunteers are defined as assisting students on a regular or ongoing basis, which can include helping without the direct supervision of a teacher or school employee. 

“Visitors” are occasional helpers who work under the supervision of a school employee, such as a parent helping out at an evening concert or show.

Criminal background fingerprint and TB clearance required 

The policy, among other things, established background requirements for all school volunteers, which include:

  • Passing a state Department of Justice or FBI fingerprint background check (The district will reimburse for up to $20 of this cost.)
  • Having tuberculosis clearance, within 60 days of applying
  • Submitting a school district volunteer application
  • Passing a Megan’s Law background check for registered sex offenders
  • Drivers, in addition, must submit a copy of their DMV driving record, valid driver's license and proof of liability insurance. These requirements have been enforced for years, according to the district. 

Schools doing catch-up for current volunteers

It’s unclear what prompted the district to crack down on enforcing the fingerprinting and TB requirements recently, though it seems to have started at Marin in early spring. The district provided on-site fingerprinting services at the school to help parents with the process.

School Board President  said it's her understanding the on-site fingerprinting was being piloted at Marin, and will be available at other schools.

Low, who wasn't on the board when the policy was approved, said she supports most of the regulation, but added that she didn't know a lot about the TB testing piece of it. She also said she would like the process to be easier to understand for parents. "It's still pretty complex." 

When Patch sent an email to the elementary, middle and high school principals and vice principals asking about the status of the policy on each campus, only Terry Georgeson, principal of , responded.

"We are on pace with the other schools I believe," Georgeson said. "(We’re) asking all volunteers who volunteer regularly with students to follow district policy."

She continued: "This is an effort we are all being asked to be mindful of, and to take appropriate steps to inform and educate our community to the need and reasons for this move to become compliant to our board policy."

Some commenters on Patch school budget s have expressed concern that the time and money involved in meeting the requirements will deter volunteering at a time when it’s needed to help address budget cuts.

Georgeson said it’s well worth it.

“I'm not sure a member of the community would call it overkill if something was to happen related to not having someone either fingerprinted or TB tested,” she said. “Sometimes it is best to be prepared and take all safety measures.”

Said Superintendent Stephenson: “If we don't, and a child is endangered, we are not only at fault legally but ethically as well.  (We're) just getting our act together and being mindful, every time we read about a school molestation case, that it could be us.”

Interested in volunteering in the Albany Schools? Need information about the application process and requirements? 

Documents attached above include a Volunteer Handbook; Transportation Handbook; Volunteer Guidelines Chart; and school board policy report. 

Everybody makes mistakes ... ! If there's something in this article you think should be corrected, or if something else is amiss, call editor Emilie Raguso at 510-459-8325 or email her at emilier@patch.com.

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