Policy 4600 - Volunteer Assistance

Volunteer Assistance
The Charter School recognizes the valuable contribution made to the total school program through the volunteer assistance of parents and other citizens. In working with volunteers, Charter School staff shall clearly explain the volunteer’s responsibility in Charter School, on the playground, and on field trips. On field trips both students and volunteers are to be informed of the rules of student behavior and the means by which they are to be held accountable to those rules.

Definition of Volunteer
Volunteers are persons who assist in the Charter School or Charter School programs. Volunteers are encouraged to use their time and effort to support the Charter School and its programs.

A volunteer shall be an individual who:
1. Has not entered into an express or implied compensation agreement with the Charter School;
2. Is excluded from the definition of “employee” under appropriate State and federal statutes except as set forth in the Idaho Tort Claims Act, I.C. § 6-901 et seq;
3. May be paid expenses, reasonable benefits, and/or nominal fees in some situations; and
4. Is not employed by the Charter School in the same or similar capacity for which he or she is volunteering.

Volunteers who have unsupervised access to children are subject to the Charter School’s policy mandating background checks.

The Principal or designee shall be responsible for developing and implementing procedures for the utilization of volunteers. The procedures will facilitate effective communication with persons who volunteer. The selection and use of volunteers will be consistent with the procedures outlined in 4600P Volunteer Assistance Procedure.

The final decision to accept or reject a volunteer applicant rests exclusively with the Executive Director and/or volunteer coordinator.

Legal References:
I.C. § 33-5210(3) Application of School Law - Accountability - Exemption from State Rules

Policy History
Adopted on: May 17, 2021
Revised on:
Reviewed on: