Mt. Lebanon school board has approved a new policy that governs volunteers.
The policy is intended to conform to Pennsylvania Act 153 of 2014, which requires comprehensive criminal and child abuse background checks for employees and volunteers with community-based organizations, including schools.
The legislation, spearheaded by Rep. Dan Moul, R-Adams and Franklin counties, amends the state’s Title 23, which addresses domestic relations and provides for reporting procedures for suspected child abuse.
Within the act is a provision requiring volunteers who have direct contact with children — “the possibility of care, supervision, guidance or control” — to be subjected to criminal background checks through local, state and federal law enforcement agencies.
At Monday’s school board meeting, at which the policy was approved, board members and administrators worried that it might result in a significant cost to the district while dissuading the type of participation that traditionally has been a hallmark of school activities.
“The last thing we want to do is dissuade people from volunteering,” said Lawrence Lebowitz, board president.
Superintendent Timothy Steinhauer said the district plans to send notification of the policy to all parents in the school district, post it on the district’s website and work with PTAs to disseminate the information.
Under the policy, program volunteers — defined as someone who is under the supervision of a district employee and may be reasonably expected to have direct contact with children –— are required to obtain and file state Act 34 and federal Act 114 criminal history reports, along with an Act 151 child abuse clearance statement.
In other business Monday:
• The board approved a proposed final budget for 2015-16, with the $91.6 million spending plan calling for a 0.42-mill property tax increase.
That amount represents the district’s financial obligation toward the state Public School Employees Retirement System’s unfunded liability, which stands at more than $30 billion. Mr. Steinhauer and his staff are working on spending reductions that could result in a smaller tax increase.
Board members plan to address the budget further at their May 11 discussion meeting before voting on a final version May 18.
If the increase remains as proposed, the new property tax rate will be 23.57 mills. A 0.42-mill increase means that the owner of property with an assessed value of $200,000 would pay an additional $84 for 2015-16.
• Longtime district auditor Maher Duessel Certified Public Accountants of Pittsburgh was retained as fiscal auditor for the 2014-15 through 2016-17 school years, at a cost of $23,550 the first year, $24,150 the second and $24,750 the third.
Board member Edward Kubit voted against the measure, saying Maher Duessel’s familiarity with the district does not justify a higher price than those proposed by other firms.
Harry Funk, freelance writer: suburbanliving@post-gazette.com.
First Published: April 17, 2015, 4:00 a.m.
