Cliff Buchan
News Editor

Questions still abound over a proposed policy in ISD 831 that would require criminal background checks of some volunteers who donate time to Forest Lake Area Schools.

The school board on March 29 got its first look at Policy 438 which addresses the background checks that were first proposed in late 2006. It was clear last week that more work and discussion is needed and Policy 438 will go back to the board’s policy committee for more massaging.

The policy presented last week not only addresses volunteers but includes job applicants who receive an offer of employment with ISD 831. All school employees are now required to undergo criminal background checks prior to being offered a position.

The policy was suggested last year by Ron Spies, director of administration and human resources. Policy 438 is patterned after a Minnesota School Boards Association model policy, he reported to the school board last week.

In order to maintain a safe and healthful environment in the schools, the policy will enable the district to seek criminal background checks and other background checks as provided by the policy.

The policy would define volunteers as “auxiliary volunteers.”

Questions still

After the initial discussion late last year, questions still filled the review last week.

Rob Rapheal, a board member who serves on the policy committee, acknowledged there was not a clear consensus on the policy committee for the final design of the policy.

He said there were questions as to who should be checked, who would pay for the background check and what to do with the information once collected.

The district currently uses the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension for all employee background checks with the cost passed on to the job applicant. The district is considering using a private firm for the volunteer background checks which would cost $19.95.

While there is one option of splitting that cost between the district and the volunteer, some on the board questioned the cost impact to the school if the district picked up the entire cost.

School officials said last week they did not know for certain how many volunteers would be required to have criminal background checks. That number is likely in excess of 1000, officials estimated.

Rapheal reported that the two teachers on the policy committee had recommended the entire $19.95 cost of the background check be the responsibility of the volunteer and not the school district.

There was also uncertainty over the scope of the policy and some of the definitions used in it.

Board members wondered if it was appropriate to have one policy that relates to volunteers and school employees. Would two separate policies be better?

That will be another question for the policy committee to address.

Under the policy as presented last week, volunteers would be required to have criminal background checks for helping out with any “off-campus” activity. There was some concern that “off-campus” might be overly burdensome.

Spies, speaking after the meeting, said “out-of-district” might be a better guideline. That will be another subject for the policy committee.

The policy would have no impact on volunteers who come into the schools to donate their time and expertise.

Spies said it was also his belief that the policy would apply to all individuals who come into contact with students, including those who help with Community Education programs.

But clear parameters for requiring criminal background checks for volunteers such as youth athletic team coaches had not been hammered out, Spies said after the meeting last week.

Lynn Steenblock, superintendent, said it was the administration’s goal to have the policy approved by July 1 and put into place for the start of the new school year on Tuesday, Sept. 4.

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