DEFINITION:  A volunteer is defined as an individual who performs services for the Portage Township School Corporation without compensation for his/her services. Individuals who volunteer to perform services for the PTS School District are not employees. An individual is a volunteer so long as the individual is not regularly employed to perform the same services for the District and so long as the individual receives for his/her services no more than expenses.

FEES/REIMBURSEMENT:  Upon receipt of the appropriate volunteer authorization form, the following fee is to be paid by the applicant.

• Level I: $16.95 conducted by Safe Hiring Solutions, LLC May be completed online or at PTS Administration Central Offices. (If paying at Administration Building, please have exact cash or money order).
• Level II: $ 0.00 Limited History Background Checks we submit to the Indiana State Police.  The level II Limited History Background application must be submitted to the PTS Administration Office or the school you are planning on volunteering at along with the Volunteer Questionnaire form.  See Link for forms.
• Note:  If you have completed or applied for a Level 1 background check, you do not have to complete a level 2 check.  The Level 1 check will cover for both Level 1 and Level II checks.

All Background checks are required to be completed and /or renewed annually.

VOLUNTEER POSITIONS: Volunteer roles in the Portage Township School Corporation can be classified in one of the following categories:

• Level I Volunteers who are in immediate and constant contact with students. Examples: PTO officers, coaching, overnight chaperones and/or District-approved field trip chaperones.
• Level II Single event and/or limited/minimal contact with students.
  Examples: Guest readers, approved assemblies, guest presenters, event/program aide, room mothers. Level II volunteers will be under the district supervision of PTS employees, administration, and/or an authorized approved designee.

The examples for volunteers listed under each level are intended for guidance only.

PTS reserves the right to classify any, and all, volunteer status per administrative recommendation

BACKGROUND CHECKS:  For the safety and security of our students, a complete background check will be required for those individuals requesting to volunteer. Information obtained in the process will be kept in the strictest confidence and on file at the District office. A criminal record does not necessarily mean that a volunteer will be prevented from serving in the schools.

Required for Level I:

Required for Level II:

Access to background check information will be limited to PTS Central Office clerical staff, Assistant Superintendent, Building Administrator, and applicant upon request.

PTS RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:  The PTS Administration, reserves the right to refuse and/or revoke any volunteer's privileges as deemed necessary and in the best interest of our students, faculty, administration, and the District in its entirety.

The PTS Administration reserves the right to waive volunteer authorization for those applicants who present Level 1 type background checks completed through other organizations ( ex; police, fire, etc.).

ETHICS AND CONFIDENTIALITY:

1. Child Abuse/Neglect Volunteers may report to school staff if they know or have reasonable cause to suspect a child has been abused or neglected. The School Administration, child's teacher, guidance staff, or school nurse should be sought out under these circumstances.
2. Confidentiality Volunteers may be exposed to privileged information regarding students, staff, and/or other persons involved with PTS. It is essential and expected that all such information is to remain confidential; failure to do so may result in termination of volunteer activities upon administrative recommendation.
3. Sign-In/Out All visitors to the schools, including volunteers, are required to report to the school office each time they visit the school during normal school hours. All visitors and/or volunteers will be asked to sign in/out upon every visit.
4. Dress Clothing that advertises/promotes alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs, violence, and/or sexual acts should never be worn on school grounds in the presence of children/students. Volunteers should plan to dress appropriately when spending time with the students in school or during school-related activities or functions.
5. Policies volunteers are subject to all Portage Township School policies, school rules and program guidelines.

WHAT VOLUNTEERS CANNOT DO:

1. Administer Discipline If there are concerns regarding discipline in the classroom, school, on/off site activities, and/or regarding and PTS sponsored activity/function, such concerns should be addressed to the classroom teacher and/or a School Building Administrator.
2. Interrogate Students or Investigate Problems any incident shall be reported to a staff member or School Building Administrator.
3. Administer Medication At NO time will medicine be administered by volunteers.

NONDISCRIMINATION:  It is the policy of the Portage Township Schools not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, or disability in the educational programs or employment policies as required by the Indiana Civil rights Act (I.C. 22-9-1, I.C. 20-8, 1-2, Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Equal Pay Act of 1973, Title IX (1972 Education Amendments), and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504, persons with disabilities are eligible for accommodations. Any inquires regarding eligibility and/or compliance with this policy should be directed to:

Or to the Office for Civil rights, U.S. Department of Education, Washington, D.C.

Portage Township School Corporation does not discriminate against any students on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, or handicap, nor does it deny services to any of its students for such a reason.