Dear LCS Community,
We are reaching out to you to solicit feedback on the proposed revision to the LCS Volunteer Policy IICB-R & IICC-R Guidelines for Community Resource Persons/School Volunteers that was presented during the Tuesday, March 7 school board meeting.
Please click here for a copy of the presentation.
Please click here to watch the meeting.
WHAT OUR CURRENT POLICY STATES:
The current policy prohibits anyone with a felony from volunteering in our schools. State law prohibits anyone with a felony from being a school employee or contractor having direct contact with students; it doesn’t specifically address volunteers.
WHAT OUR CURRENT POLICY ALLOWS:
It is important to note that our current policy already allows parents, even those with a felony on their record, to participate in their child’s school activities such as:
- Parent/Teacher conference
- Lunch with their child
- Awards assembly
- Muffins for Moms/Donuts for Dads
- Field Day participant
- Evening school events
- Book fair
WHAT THE PROPOSED POLICY STATES:
The proposed revision states that anyone who would be disqualified as a volunteer by virtue of their criminal record may request that the superintendent make an exception. The superintendent may grant the exception under whatever conditions he or she sets, if the following conditions are met:
(1) the disqualifying conviction occurred more than 15 years before the date the exception is sought and the criminal background check reflects no other significant convictions;
(2) no conviction was for a "barrier crime" as that term is defined in Va. Code Section 63.2-1719; and
(3) in the sole discretion of the superintendent the person does not present a threat to the safety or welfare of the students in the program or activity for which the exception is sought.
WHAT WE NEED YOU TO DO:
Would you support this revision to the LCS volunteer policy? Please click here to give us your response. Please respond by Tuesday, March 28, 2017.
The school board will review this matter at the public school board meeting at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 4, 2017 in the Board Room at the School Administration Building located at 915 Court Street. The public is encouraged to attend.