Butte School District

THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES

5430

Volunteers

The District recognizes the valuable contributions made to the total school program by members of the community who act as volunteers. By law, a volunteer is an individual who:

1. Has not entered into an express or implied compensation agreement with the District;
2. Is excluded from the definition of “employee” under appropriate state and federal statutes;
3. May be paid expenses, reasonable benefits, and/or nominal fees in some situations; and
4. Is not employed by the District in the same or similar capacity for which he/she is volunteering.

District employees who work with volunteers shall clearly explain duties for supervising children in school, on the playground, and on field trips. An appropriate degree of training and/or supervision of each volunteer shall be administered commensurate with the responsibility undertaken.

The District will provide workers compensation insurance to those volunteers who work as coaches, classroom aides, or in any other capacity provided that such volunteers either are Board approved or contribute more than 20 hours per month to the District.

• All non-covered volunteers will be responsible for their own insurance as part of volunteer agreement.
• All volunteers in the school setting will be required to sign in and track their volunteer hours using form 5430F1.
• All volunteers in the school setting/chaperones must fill out and submit form 5430F2 and 5430F5 before being allowed to volunteer.
• All volunteers are required to follow District policies and procedures.

Chaperones

The Superintendent may direct that appropriate screening processes be implemented to assure that adult chaperones are suitable and acceptable for accompanying students on field trips or excursions.

When serving as a chaperone for the District, the parent(s)/guardian(s) or other adult volunteers, including employees of the District assigned to chaperone, shall not use tobacco products in the presence of students, nor shall they consume any alcoholic beverages or use any illicit drug during the duration of their assignment as a chaperone. The chaperone shall not encourage or allow students to participate in any activity that is in violation of District policy during the field trip or excursion, including during the hours following the end of the day’s activities. Chaperones shall be given a copy of these rules and sign Form 5430F-3 verifying they are aware of and agree to these District rules before being allowed to accompany students on any field trip or excursion.

Any chaperone found to have violated these rules shall not be used again as a chaperone for any District-sponsored field trips or excursions and may be excluded from using District-sponsored transportation for the remainder of the field trip or excursion and be responsible for their own transportation back home. Employees found to have violated these rules may be subject to disciplinary action.

Volunteers/Chaperones who have unsupervised access to children are subject to:

• Complete and sign 5430F-3.
• Complete and notarize the Certification (page 2) of the Volunteer Application (5430F-4).
• The District’s policy mandating background checks.

Guests

Individuals visiting a school in a supervised capacity are not required to complete forms or undergo a criminal background check; but, do need to sign in at the main office at each visit.

Individuals assisting with school events in a supervised capacity are not required to complete forms or undergo a criminal background check; but, do need to check in at the event site with the Event Coordinator.

 

Cross Reference: 

5122    Fingerprints and Criminal Background Investigations

Policy History:

Adopted on: 10/18/04
Revised on:  06/21/10, 03/16/20, 2/16/2021