We do not undergo background checks at our school either. In my experience, teachers and staff are very selective about who is allowed to do the hands on volunteering, not to say that it's a perfect method, but I think if someone had to pay for these checks, they wouldn't get done and no one would be able to volunteer. Volunteers are required to get TB tests at their own expense.

Originally posted by kmamom:
Kammy - welcome to the boards!

We have "Classroom Parents" who are supposed to help the teachers. Generally they handle the parties. I am somewhat embarrassed to say this, but we have no background checks for this. The feeling is if we had to pay for this the cost would prohibit anyone form being able to volunteer, and their's NO WAY our BOE would/could do it. I don't think anyone would be opposed to undergoing one, and in fact would probably welcome it, but the general feeling is that the volunteers are 99.9% moms, and anyone that no one knew wouldn't be "chosen" to help.

All our classroom "aides" (most are regular people with no special training that assist any child with special needs) are employees of the school district, and as such the BOE provides the background checks.

Coaches (due to their personal proximaty to the kids)for any of our teams must have them and be bonded, and as these teams aren't funded by the school district, our town council pays for them.

upset--I would SERIOUSLY question a principal who wanted no PTO and no parent volunteers at all. I see someone either trying to hide something, or someone with serious control issues that could interfere with running the school effectively (something our school is dealing with right now)-- if you have no PTO or parent volunteers, there aren't any extra "eyes" to see with nor any way of knowing what's happening in the school.

Your BOE is the principal's boss, and are the ones responsible for school district policy. Why is the BOE being recalled? Are they supporting the principal? Has anyone tried mediation with the principal/BOE?

If a new board is voted in, make sure they know what's going on, and that YOU GO TO YOUR BOE MEETINGS! This is where all the real action takes place, and decisions of importance are made. This is also where the parents can publicly and officially let the BOE know of complaints/problems with the principal etcetera. Make sure you document EVERYTHING in writing (i.e.--follow up your meetings in writing -- both in email and letter form)and send copies to the principal, superintendent and BOE to make sure everyone is on the same page, and if necessary, tape record your meetings.

Good Luck!

Our BOE members that are facing recall truly need to go. We as parents can't go to them as they do not care about what we have to say, as we have been there and done that. We do go to all of the BOE meetings, and what we say to them goes in one ear and out the other ear. This recall if successfull can only be beneficial in the long run for our school. As for our new princ, well lets just say that she is related to one of the BOE members that is facing recall and so therefore they all have it out for us. The parents in the district are outraged by the lack of respect for them wanting to volunteer, as well as the lack of respect that the BOE members had for our Interm pric that they demoted to a K teacher after 2 years. What this BOE did was took one of the best run schools in the district and broke it. Thankfully only one week to go before recall, and then if successfull, we can put things back how they were to begin with and create that great school and wonderful PTO once again.

Kammy - welcome to the boards!

We have "Classroom Parents" who are supposed to help the teachers. Generally they handle the parties. I am somewhat embarrassed to say this, but we have no background checks for this. The feeling is if we had to pay for this the cost would prohibit anyone form being able to volunteer, and their's NO WAY our BOE would/could do it. I don't think anyone would be opposed to undergoing one, and in fact would probably welcome it, but the general feeling is that the volunteers are 99.9% moms, and anyone that no one knew wouldn't be "chosen" to help.

All our classroom "aides" (most are regular people with no special training that assist any child with special needs) are employees of the school district, and as such the BOE provides the background checks.

Coaches (due to their personal proximaty to the kids)for any of our teams must have them and be bonded, and as these teams aren't funded by the school district, our town council pays for them.

upset--I would SERIOUSLY question a principal who wanted no PTO and no parent volunteers at all. I see someone either trying to hide something, or someone with serious control issues that could interfere with running the school effectively (something our school is dealing with right now)-- if you have no PTO or parent volunteers, there aren't any extra "eyes" to see with nor any way of knowing what's happening in the school.

Your BOE is the principal's boss, and are the ones responsible for school district policy. Why is the BOE being recalled? Are they supporting the principal? Has anyone tried mediation with the principal/BOE?

If a new board is voted in, make sure they know what's going on, and that YOU GO TO YOUR BOE MEETINGS! This is where all the real action takes place, and decisions of importance are made. This is also where the parents can publicly and officially let the BOE know of complaints/problems with the principal etcetera. Make sure you document EVERYTHING in writing (i.e.--follow up your meetings in writing -- both in email and letter form)and send copies to the principal, superintendent and BOE to make sure everyone is on the same page, and if necessary, tape record your meetings.

Good Luck!

Originally posted by Kammy Trullinger:
Are there any schools out there that allow parents or community members to volunteer in classrooms, teacher's aide workrooms or playgrounds? If they do, who pays for the background check, volunteers, the school or PTO?
If your school allows this how well is it working? And how are you doing this? Thank you

I am in the Westwood Heights School District in Flint Michigan, and we now have a new princ. She is trying to cease and dissit our PTO as well as get rid of ALL the parent volunteers. We are all at our wits end and we have a recall election on the 9th of November to recall 4 board of ed members. Does anyone have any advice for us? We need all the help we can get as this is getting really ugly as each day passes, and the kids are truly the ones suffering. Thanks for the advice and help ahead of time.

Originally posted by Kammy Trullinger:
Are there any schools out there that allow parents or community members to volunteer in classrooms, teacher's aide workrooms or playgrounds? If they do, who pays for the background check, volunteers, the school or PTO?
If your school allows this how well is it working? And how are you doing this? Thank you

Our schools pay for the CORI checks of all volunteers. Volunteers are always encouraged by the elementary schools but up to the individual teacher for classroom needs.
To LUVMYKIDS: I'd LOVE a copy of the form teachers send out for volunteer needs and any other info. Our teaching staff and assistants are greatly diminished this year due to budget cuts...
Pls email me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Thanks!