WESTERN SCHOOL CORPORATION

Volunteers are a vital part of Western School Corporation, supporting student success and helping staff with day-to-day needs. To ensure a safe and welcoming environment, all volunteers must complete a background check before beginning any assignments.

Western uses SafeVisitor to process background screenings, as required by state law. Please review our background check process and eligibility guidelines below.

Background Check Process for Parents, Volunteers, and Lay Coaches

Volunteer or Visitor LEVEL 3

This includes guests who are just visiting the school offices only to pick up/drop off students or to drop items off. Formal background checks are NOT required.

Volunteer or Visitor LEVEL 2

This includes volunteers or visitors to our schools during the school day who are under supervision of Western School Corporation staff. Examples: Visiting for lunch, attending a special event (i.e. Awards Program.) All individuals wishing to volunteer at Western School Corporation under Level 2, will be required to have a limited criminal background check by submitting Form 8120 F1 below for approval. This approval is good for one school year at no charge to the parent/volunteer.

BACKGROUND CHECK FORM 8120 F1

Volunteer or Visitor LEVEL 1

This includes volunteer/visitors that can possibly have direct and unsupervised interaction with a student (i.e. classroom volunteers, field trips, classroom parties, band/sports parents, and any volunteer/lay coach). For a Level 1 volunteer/visitor, an extended background check will be run for any individual under this category. This will require a $15.90 fee, paid by the volunteer/visitor via our outside vendor. The background check will be valid for three school years from the date of completion. If the volunteer/visitor/lay coach has lived outside the county/state of Indiana, there will be an additional charge associated with the request. A link to complete this process can be found on the school website.

COMPLETE BACKGROUND CHECK

Volunteer Eligibility Guidelines

Western School Corporation is committed to providing a safe environment for all students and staff. If an offense appears on an individual's background check, the following guidelines will be used to determine eligibility to volunteer, visit, or coach within the district:

Lifetime Restrictions – Not Eligible to Volunteer

• Drug Dealing
• Convicted Sex Offender

10-Year Restriction

• Felony convictions or pending felony charges
  (Excludes drug dealing and sex offenses, which result in lifetime bans)
• Individuals may not volunteer if the felony offense occurred within the last 10 years

5-Year Restriction

• Misdemeanor charges, including but not limited to:
  • Crimes against another person (e.g., battery)
  • Drug/alcohol-related offenses (use or possession)
  • Theft or conversion
• Individuals may not volunteer if the misdemeanor occurred within the last 5 years

Additional Notes

• Individuals with multiple offenses may be ineligible to volunteer, coach, or visit—depending on the severity and nature of the offenses.
• If there are pending charges or confirmed convictions, the individual will not be permitted to volunteer, coach, or visit Western School Corporation.