For immediate release
October 4, 1999

HPEDSB INTRODUCES POLICE CHECKS FOR VOLUNTEERS
 

The Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board is making every effort to ensure a safe learning environment for their students. The latest step is to ask for a police record check on volunteers. This police record check is already a condition of employment for those working for the Board.

Beginning in September of this school year, the Board is recommending that police record checks be a part of the screening measures for any volunteer who will be working with a student or group of students in a situation where they will not be directly supervised by a staff member. This would include volunteers who accompany students on overnight trips.

"Volunteers are a valued group in our schools as they enrich the educational experiences of our students," says David Fox, Assistant to the Superintendents. "We encourage our schools to enrich the experiences of our students by involving volunteers but we must also be concerned about the safety of our students. The expectation from our parents and school community is that we make every effort to provide a safe learning environment in all of our schools."

Police agencies in our area have been notified of this new screening measure as described in our Volunteer Handbook, and have made suggestions to simplify the process.

"We appreciate the cooperation of the police, since, in many cases, they will provide this service free of charge," says Fox. This screening measure is becoming more common with many volunteer based organizations.
 

For more information contact:
David Fox, Assistant to the Superintendents,  966-9491 ext. 2412