Volunteering in Westerville City Schools

Last Updated: 1/24/2023 7:56 PM

The Board of Education recognizes that certain programs and activities can be enhanced through the use of volunteers who have particular knowledge or skills that will be helpful to members of the professional staff responsible for the conduct of those programs and activities.

 

Steps to Volunteer

Individuals wanting to volunteer within the Westerville City School District need to complete a Volunteer Statement form  and have it signed by the building principal. Forms that have not been signed by the building principal will not be accepted.

Step 1 – Review the Administrative Guidelines for Volunteering (ag3120.09) in the Westerville City Schools.

Step 2 – Complete the Volunteer Statement form and submit it to your building principal for approval. 

Step 3 – Enter the SecureVolunteer portal by Clicking HERE to complete the on-line background check at no charge to the parent.

Click to volunteer

Guidelines

The following guidelines apply to all volunteers and prospective volunteers in the Westerville City School District and will be used to determine volunteer status:

Level 1 – Volunteer activity does not involve unsupervised contact with access to students.

Examples include, but are not limited to, field day workers, book fair volunteers, VIPs, classroom helpers working only within the direct visual field of building staff, etc. Level 1 volunteers must fill out and sign the volunteer statement and disclosure regarding Consumer Report and may be required to have a background check.

Level 2 – Volunteer activity may involve unsupervised contact with access to student(s) on or off campus. Examples may include, but are not limited to, weekly reading helpers and library helpers (if not continuously visible to staff), chaperones on overnight trips, volunteer coaches/advisors, etc. Level 2 volunteers must fill out and sign a volunteer statement and disclosure regarding Consumer Report and have a background check.

Volunteers are required to abide by all Board policies and District guidelines while on duty as a volunteer, including, but not limited to, maintaining the confidentiality of any and all student personally identifiable information to which s/he is exposed except as authorized by law.

Volunteers will be covered under the District's general liability policy, but the District cannot provide any type of health insurance to cover illness or accident incurred while serving as a volunteer, nor is the person eligible for workers' compensation. Volunteers will be asked to sign a form releasing the District of any obligation should the volunteer become ill or receive an injury as a result of his/her volunteer services. Volunteers may not accept compensation or gifts from any third party or source, including, but not limited to booster, parent, or other District support organizations, for the performance of his/her official duties as a volunteer on behalf of the Board.

Additional Guidelines

Before working as a volunteer, an individual must acknowledge an understanding the following:

  • That s/he is serving as a volunteer and not as an employee of the Board;
  • That s/he has no right to the compensation and/or benefits provided to Board employees; and
  • That s/he is responsible for his/her own expenses incurred while serving as a volunteer.

Volunteers working with students must display appropriate behavior at all times and at any time may be required to provide a set of fingerprints so that a criminal records check can be conducted. If a criminal records check is then conducted, it will be done as a condition of continued service as a volunteer and will be at the volunteer's expense.

The district may end its relationship with a volunteer or assign the volunteer to duties not involving unsupervised access to children if a criminal records check indicates that the volunteer has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to any of the offenses described in R.C. 109.572 (A)(1) or listed in Board Policies 3120.09 and 4120.09.