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1. PURPOSE

School volunteers are an important part of the educational team and can make a significant difference in the lives of students.  The District volunteer program can provide a rich resource of community members who can assist District faculty and staff in diverse ways to facilitate and enhance the learning process.  The purpose of this policy is to give volunteers a guideline of responsibilities and expectations, and to provide for a volunteer recognition program to promote acknowledgment of volunteers who give their time, talents and knowledge to enhance the quality of education in the Sevier School District.

2. DEFINITION

2.1 “Volunteer” is a person who donates services on a regular basis without pay or other compensation except expenses actually and reasonably incurred as approved by the District.

2.2 A volunteer may not donate any service to the District unless the volunteer’s services are approved by the Superintendent or an authorized designee, and by the District’s personnel office.  (Utah Code Ann. § 67-20-3; § 67-20-4; Utah Admin. Code R37-1-4)

3. RESPONSIBILITIES AND EXPECTATIONS

3.1   Volunteers shall perform volunteer services under the supervision of an assigned District employee and shall have the approval of a school principal or department administrator to perform such volunteer services.

3.2    Volunteers are expected to follow the direction of the District employee to whom they have been assigned and to conform to all applicable laws, rules, and polices.

3.3    In the course of volunteering for the Sevier School District volunteers may be asked to deal with confidential information.  It is the expectation of the District that volunteers shall keep said information in the strictest confidence.

3.4    In accordance with District policy #2005 Employee and Volunteer Background Checks, volunteers shall submit to a criminal background check as a condition of appointment.

3.5    Volunteers may not promote religion while performing volunteer services for a school.

3.6     Failure to follow the direction of a supervisor or to follow applicable laws, rules and policies may give rise to terminating the volunteer from service.

3.7     Serving as a volunteer in the educational setting is not an entitlement and schools are not required to utilize volunteer services.  The opportunity to volunteer may be denied or terminated by school administration where services are no longer needed or where the presence of the volunteer may be disruptive to the educational environment.

3.8     All persons interested in providing volunteer services must complete the Volunteer Orientation and Agreement document.

3.8.1    Both the volunteer and the school administrator or his/her designee must authorize and sign the volunteer agreement.

3.8.2    The school administrator or his/her designee will be responsible for providing all volunteers with information regarding assignment, safety, privacy, security, school policies, and accessible areas within the school.

3.9     Volunteers shall not represent the District to the general media.  It is understood that the Superintendent or designee is the spokesperson for the District and that all interviews, questions, or concerns will be directed to him/her.

4. IMMUNITY FROM LIABILITY AND WORKERS’ COMPENSATION

4.1 Volunteers who are properly recognized by the school or by the District and who are performing an approved service as assigned by the school or District are considered an employee of the District for purposes of:

4.1.1     Receiving worker’s compensation medical benefits, which shall be the exclusive remedy for all injuries and occupational diseases as provided under the Worker’s Compensation Act.

 4.1.2     The operation of motor vehicles or equipment if the volunteer is properly licensed and authorized to do so.

4.1.3      Liability protection and indemnification normally afforded paid employees of the District.

 

Approved: 5/21/08
Revised:   11/17/10