Volunteer Information
The Brewer School Committee supports the use of community resources, including volunteers, to complement and support instructional programs and extracurricular activities in the schools. Volunteers work in partnership with, under the supervision of, and at the request of school administrators and staff.
For this policy, a volunteer is a person who provides services, without compensation or benefits of any kind or amount, on an occasional or regular basis in the schools or in school activities.
The purposes of the volunteer program include, but are not limited to the following:
Assist teachers in providing more individualized instruction and enrichment opportunities for students; assist staff with school projects; supervise or chaperone student activities; and perform clerical work.
Build an understanding of and support for school programs among interested citizens;
Strengthen school/community relations and
Assist athletic coaches and club advisors in their respective assignments.
Prospective volunteers must complete an application form, a confidentiality agreement, and training forms annually. Reference, background checks, and sex offender registry checks will be performed for all prospective volunteers. Applications will be screened and approved by the Superintendent. The Superintendent and school principal are authorized to use their discretion to terminate the services of a volunteer if they determine it is in the best interests of the school department.
The school principal must approve all volunteer assignments before volunteers begin work. The supervising staff member is responsible for giving volunteers a clear understanding of the duties, procedures, and expectations necessary to perform their assignments.
All volunteers who are approved to work with students and/or in support of school programs are expected to comply with the following requirements.
Volunteers shall attend any required volunteer orientation/training sessions provided by the school department. Volunteers complete the Agreement and FERPA/BBP training forms.
Volunteers will work with students under the immediate supervision and direction of authorized school staff.
Volunteers shall perform only such duties and tasks specifically approved and assigned by an administrator or supervising staff member
Volunteers must keep all student and staff information strictly confidential. Volunteers may not access, review, disclose, or use confidential student or staff information without specific authorization from a school administrator. This requirement applies even after a volunteer stops performing services for the schools.
Volunteers will conduct themselves in an appropriate manner and comply with all Brewer
School Department policies, school rules, and directions from school personnel
In accordance with Maine law, a member of the School Committee or a member’s spouse may not serve as a volunteer when he/she has primary responsibility for a curricular or extracurricular program or activity and reports directly to the Superintendent or a school administrator.