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School Clubs and Extracurricular Activities

Posted by Bill Belmont on July 14, 2015 at 2:56pm

A few years ago, due to budgetary issues, we cut out many clubs (just another example of the problems with the tax cap).

We are thinking of bring back a few and I was wondering if anyone was using "non district employees" to supervise the clubs?

We have a lot of talented resource in the district we would want to considering taking advantage of but am not sure what the legal/liability issues would be. We are talking to our counsel about them but was wondering if any other districts were using outside resources to supervise the clubs.

Thanks, 

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Replies

  • Phil heckler July 17, 2015 at 1:40pm
    We also have contract clause that gives staff first choice. Stipends are specified in contract for each club or sport.
  • Bill Belmont July 15, 2015 at 6:39pm
    Apparently many of us have the "first dibs" clause for staff but there are times when no staff member wants to run the club and there are great resources in the community that would be happy to supervise, some would even do it for free. In fact, many of the retired members of the community would be excited about the opportunity to pass their knowledge onto the younger generation. The issue is that some times we place too many obstacles in the way to enable that to happen. It should be as simple as a background check and then proceed.

    Think of the numerous options we could have if we allowed the retired members of the community, who want to volunteer their time, oversee a club.
  • Bob McCann July 14, 2015 at 5:49pm
    Courses etc. would depend on the club, for example, coaching anything modified or above requires a Certificate. If we wanted a debate team, we would interview the parent/person interested and then fingerprint, if they passed the two processes, no Cert. is needed. I doubt many of the stipend clubs have any special certification involved. We had a Rocket club, with a parent volunteer, who was also a Boy Scout leader.. kids had a blast (pun intended) Generally with a new club if a community person/parent expresses an interest in starting it, we gauge student interest and then take advantage of that non employee resource.
  • Bill Belmont July 14, 2015 at 5:35pm
    Thank you all for replying. The issue is in the details. I am trying to find out what criteria you use when hiring non district employees.

    Is it just fingerprinting? Are there any courses that are required?

    As you all noted, we also give first dibs to staff. Additionally, we have numerous non district employees working as coaches and all our coaches are certified pursuant to State requirements.

    But for example, if we wanted to start a debate team, and no employee wanted the job and we wanted to hire a local parent, What type of requirements would the parent have to meet? Is it just fingerprints? Is there any certification they would need?

    I am not sure anyone knows what the state requirements are for non district employees to work with kids, but figure I would ask.
  • Bob McCann July 14, 2015 at 5:19pm
    I agree with Ms. Zahler, It depends on your contracts and possible stipends first. We have non employees running some clubs, and have had parents wanting to start new ones. (Luckily) It is not in our contract(s) that employees get "first dibs". I would think your Superintendent or other Admin.'s would be interviewing interested parties, then proceeding with fingerprinting etc., as with any volunteer.
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