8120 - PERSONAL BACKGROUND CHECKS, REFERENCES, AND MANDATORY REPORTING - VOLUNTEERS

In accordance with School Board policy, the personal and volunteer history of each individual who is seriously being considered for a volunteer position who is likely to have direct, ongoing contact with students will be investigated throughly.

In addition to the information obtained through the volunteer procedure, a criminal history record check must be conducted.

The Superintendent's Secretary will be responsible for ensuring that the individual completes Form 8121 F1.

The Central Office shall submit the individual's name, address, social security number, and date of birth to the contracted service provider for a local, State, and National criminal history check, including an expanded criminal history check as defined by I.C. 20-26- 2-1.5.

If the School Corporation's investigation and/or criminal history check reveals that an individual has been involved in some unlawful behavior, such information should be examined in light of:

1. the nature of the unlawful behavior, e.g. was it a felony or a misdemeanor? Did it involve violence? Was it sex related? Was it child related? etc.;

2. did the behavior result in a conviction;

3. how recently the behavior occurred, and the behavior of the individual in the interim;

4. the relationship of the behavior to the duties the person would be assuming as a volunteer;

5. the likelihood that the individual would represent a potential threat of injury to or loss/damage to property;

6. the likelihood that the individual would present a potential threat of injury to or loss/damage to persons;

7. the extent that the position involves being an exemplar to students and the potential for the presentation of a negative exemplar;

8. the manner in which the information came to the Corporation's attention, i.e., offered by the individual or reported through an investigation.

The final decision concerning the volunteer (or possible removal if the information comes to light after volunteering) will be made by the Superintendent.

In addition to the criminal history check, the Superintendent/designee will conduct the following or contract with a private service provider to conduct the following:

1. an expanded child protection index check as defined by I.C. 20-26-2-1.3

2. a search of the national sex offender registry maintained by the United States Department of Justice

3. a search of the State child abuse registry

4. a detailed background history including all prior employment and volunteer positions

An "expanded child protection index check" means:

1. an inquiry with the Department of Child Services as to whether an individual has been the subject of a substantiated report of child abuse or neglect and is listed in the child protection index established under I.C. 31-33-26- 2;

2. an inquiry with the child welfare agency of each state in which the individual has resided since the individual became eighteen (18) years of age as to whether there are any substantiated reports that the individual has committed child abuse or neglect; and

3. for a certificated employee, an inquiry with the Department of Education or other entity that may issue a license to teach of each state in which the individual has resided since the individual became eighteen (18) years of age as to whether the individual has ever had a teaching license suspended or revoked.

Offenses Which Prohibit Volunteer Service

In accordance with Board policy, the Superintendent will prohibit volunteer service by any individual who has been convicted of an offense requiring license revocation per I.C. 20-28-5-8(c) or an offense lasted in I.C. 20-26-5-11.2(b), unless the conviction has been reversed, vacated, or set aside on appeal.

Revised 12/12/17
Revised 12/13/22

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