Background checks for school volunteers didn’t emanate out of the ether. Like most things in this world, something happened that caused the more trusting in the school system to rethink their game plans. Probably that was something pretty serious as schools and public service systems are not inclined to move all that fast unless they are motivated. And that motivation for such things as background checks, is usually adversity. After all, with a bad economy and budgetary constraints, if you don’t have to then why spend the money?
But life in America is different now. Usually the schools and its volunteers are not necessarily home grown locals that everyone knows. Maybe they even know a little too much about each other, but at least they are aware of criminal records, and probably whether or not someone is on the sexual offenders registry. Criminal records and sex offenses are the things that can most affect kids. These are the more specific danger points. And no one in their right mind wants a sex offender tagging along with the class for the field trip to the local dairy. Nobody wants the person with the criminal record and prone to violence, mixing it up with the students.
And things do happen. Bad things. So many school systems have mandated background checks for their volunteer workers. A good idea. Or not? Some critics are claiming the schools are being way to harsh on their volunteers. The background checks can prove draconian as evidenced by one woman featured in an article in the ArgusLeader.com where she was prohibited from volunteering because she had written bad checks she wrote ten years ago. Maybe not the best example for growing children. But not a violent crime. The woman apparently cleaned up her act and wanted to do the right thing by these kids. Not happening.
The school boards are in a tough spot because their first responsibility is to protect the kids. Yet the school board should try to be inclusive and to a degree, people should be allowed their second chances. It is not easy for school boards to find a balance here, all things considered. But rather than invoke a blanket policy prohibiting anyone with a criminal record from serving as a school volunteer, perhaps it is worth discriminating a little and taking into consideration the seriousness of the offense, the time of the offense, and the would-be volunteers current accomplishments and place in the community. It’s only fair.
Check them out before you hire.
