School volunteerism: what is required

Parent claims administrators made security policy at will WESTFALL — Glenn and Kathy Kiederer of Shohola claim Delaware Valley School District officials lied to them. School district officials last week denied that any lies were told. The Kiederers, whose children attend Shohola Elementary School, appeared at the Nov. 12 school board work session, saying they had not gotten satisfaction in repeated discussions with administrators. The issue is a school board volunteer policy in effect last school year defining which volunteers needed FBI clearances, prior health exams and board approval - and which ones didn’t. Unsupervised volunteers were to meet all these requirements, but part-time volunteers working under the supervision of school staff at that time did not. The policy was later updated in July and now includes the tougher standards for all volunteers. Glenn Kiederer said the issue arose when permission was denied to volunteer at a school field day. Kathy Kiederer charged that she was told last year that she needed clearances for part-time volunteering and volunteers would bear the costs. She underwent the process, learning later that the school policy didn’t require it. “It angers me to no end that the superintendent who is responsible for implementing the policy as it is written continues to lie about what the policy states. The principal also continues to tell parents what she believes is good for everyone versus what was stated in the policy.” Superintendent Dr. Candis Finan vehemently denied the charge. “I will not sit here and be called a liar. I never lied to anyone.” Finan admitted, and recalled making that admission privately to Kiederer, that policy had been “interpreted differently” at Shohola. She said apologies had been issued and attempts were made to reimburse parents for any costs involved. However, she and Shohola Principal Dr. Margaret Schaffer both noted that school policy is superseded by law and state law has required FBI clearances for school volunteers since 2007. “It was never a matter of lying or trying to confuse anyone,” Schaffer said. Board Solicitor Michael Weinstein said all volunteers, existing and new must meet the new requirements. “The existing policy complies with the law. No one is getting ‘grandfathered.’” Board President Bob Goldsack said, “If we erred, we erred on the side of caution.” Kathy Kiederer remained adamant after the debate. “Obviously, DVSD was not complying with its own board policies which was the point I was trying to make.”