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611 SCHOOL VOLUNTEERS

A. Definition The term VOLUNTEER refers to those persons who are not paid for services they provide in whatever capacity they serve but who play a supporting role in the educational program. The term does not include secondary students who serve as tutors or aides in supervised programs approved by the Minnesota Department of Education. B. Purpose A critical issue in today's schools is the proper utilization of volunteers. If the service of volunteers is to be effectively and efficiently utilized, the relevant decisions must be made by the professional who is being assisted. Volunteers always serve in a supportive role to extend educational opportunities so more can be done within time and budget without displacing paid personnel. C. Role Within the school organization each person has a role to play. 1. The responsibility of the volunteer is to assist the teacher or other professional staff by performing tasks which are assigned and/or directed by that staff person. These tasks cannot infringe upon the professional responsibilities reserved for teachers and other professionals, but volunteers may assist the staff in meeting these responsibilities. Volunteers should be regarded as a flexible resource, specifically requested by, directed by, and evaluated by the professional staff and building administrator. 2. The volunteer should understand that the teacher is responsible for all professional functions such as: a. The organization and management of the classroom. b. The planning of teacher strategies. c. The direction of learning experiences of all assigned students. d. Requesting volunteer services to meet the needs of his/her class and/or individual students within the classroom. e. Providing adequate supervision of volunteers and assigning duties within the limits of the volunteers competence. f. Safeguarding privacy rights of others. 3. Other professional staff members, such as counselors, social workers, and school nurses, may also work with volunteers. While the exact responsibilities of persons in such fields will differ somewhat from those of the teaching staff, the relationship between the professional and the volunteer should be governed by the same guidelines as those cited for teachers and volunteers. 4. The principal is responsible for the volunteers working with his/her staff and delegation of appropriate supervisory functions. The principal retains overall supervisory responsibilities for the school and the entire staff including the volunteers. 5. The responsibility for the decision to develop a volunteer program rests with the school board. The plans for the responsibility of the organization and/or individual serving as a liaison between the schools and the volunteer might include: a. Comprehensive recruiting of volunteers. b. Orientation, training, evaluation, and support of volunteers. c. Identification of volunteer's talents to enhance the volunteer as well as the school program. d. Developing mutually beneficial relationships between staff and volunteers. e. Annual recognition of volunteers. D. Background Checks For volunteers who intend to volunteer ten (10) hours or more for the benefit of the school district, the school district will pay for the criminal background check, otherwise the volunteer is responsible for the cost.

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