Volunteer Programs - May 2003 Revision

This procedural directive was reviewed and revised in November 2012. We provide this revision for historic purposes only.

School Volunteers

The goals a school volunteer program are to:

1. Increase parent involvement in public education;
2. Encourage schools to use other pools of volunteers including students, senior citizens, service clubs and businesses;
3. Provide assistance to classroom teachers and other educators;
4. Improve communication between the schools and the communities they serve.

A school volunteer is a person who donates time, energy, or talent to various phases of school programs under the direction of school district personnel.

At the principal’s request, volunteers may assist in the following ways:

1. Advocacy/Advisory - serving on committees or task forces; advising on special projects; consulting on certain issue;
2. Instructional Support - curriculum and classroom-related activities; motivational programs; materials and program development; enrichment programs;
3. Support Services - cafeteria, health, clerical, instructional materials; audiovisual services;
4. And other ways that the principal deems appropriate.

Volunteers may be recruited from many different populations including parents, community members, senior citizens, community agencies, high school and post-secondary students.

Roles and Responsibilities

Principal

The principal is responsible for:

1. Building support for the school volunteer program among faculty and parents;
2. Identifying a faculty member, parent, or community member to serve as the volunteer coordinator;
3. Determining, in cooperation with the faculty and volunteer coordinator, the needs to be addressed by the school volunteer program, the goals and objectives of the program, and potential resources for the program;
4. Assisting the volunteer coordinator with recruitment orientation, training, and placement of volunteers;
5. Providing recognition to volunteer program participants;
6. Assisting in volunteer program and individual volunteer evaluations -- continuation of any and all volunteer services are at the principal’s discretion;
7. Distributing and collecting "Volunteer Confidential Information Agreement" forms from any volunteer having unsupervised access to students. A thorough background investigation, conducted by the Albuquerque Public Schools is mandated by New Mexico State Statutes.

Volunteer Coordinator

The volunteer coordinator is responsible for:

1. Providing teachers with examples of volunteer services available, resumes of volunteers with unusual skills, and models of unusual volunteer programs;
2. Participating in planning with the principal and staff;
3. Assisting at the request of teachers, with recruitment;
4. Providing orientation and coordinating training for volunteers;
5. Placing and scheduling volunteers in cooperation with principals and teachers;
6. Providing encouragement and recognition for volunteers;
7. Participating in district wide coordinator meetings and training;
8. Maintaining school volunteer records.

Teachers

The teacher is responsible for:

1. Participating in planning with the principal and the volunteer coordinator;
2. Providing volunteers with clear direction, materials, and space to work;
3. Reporting problems with the volunteer placement to the principal;
4. Providing volunteers with encouragement and recognition.

Volunteers must not work alone with students. An APS staff member should be present at all times.

Volunteers

The volunteer is responsible for:

1. Attending orientation and training as appropriate;
2. Carrying out assigned duties;
3. Being punctual, reliable, discrete, maintaining confidentiality, and following the school’s procedures;
4. Reporting problems with the placement to the volunteer coordinator;
5. Completing a "Volunteer Confidential Information Agreement" form if volunteer will have unsupervised access to students. Background checks, conducted by the Albuquerque Public Schools, will cost $12.00 each to be paid for by the volunteer.

Volunteers are currently covered by APS workers’ compensation insurance.

Cross Ref.: Board Policy I.08: Reports to Parents on Student Progress

NSBA/NEPN Classification: IJOC

Revised: May 1995
Revised: April 1996
Revised: May 1997
Revised: May 2003

This page was last updated on: December 9, 2009.