Important Update regarding Volunteer Requirements (TB Testing, Fingerprinting & Mandated Reporter Training)
Dear Parents, Guardians, and Valued Community Volunteers,
Our volunteers are essential to our school family. Whether you are assisting in the classroom, chaperoning field trips, or helping during lunch, your support deeply enriches our students' educational experience.
To ensure the highest standard of safety on our campuses and comply with California state legislation (Assembly Bill 506), we are updating our volunteer clearance requirements.
Who Must Complete Clearance?
Clearance is required for all regular volunteers and all field trip chaperones.
Regular Volunteer: Any adult (18+) who volunteers with students for more than 16 hours in a single month or more than 32 hours over the school year.
WESD requirement- Field Trip Chaperones: All chaperones, regardless of total hours served, must complete full clearance before attending a field trip.
Occasional Event Volunteers: Clearance is not required for one-time, non-supervisory events, such as attending an assembly or dropping off classroom treats. However, we encourage interested parents to complete clearance early so you are ready for future opportunities!
It’s as easy as 1, 2, 3! The 3 Required Steps for Volunteer Clearance
All regular and field trip volunteers must complete three items before serving:
1. Tuberculosis (TB) Clearance
Requirement: Provide proof of a negative TB risk assessment, blood test, skin test, or chest X-ray completed within the last four years.
Action: Submit your official TB clearance document to the school office.
2. Digital Fingerprinting (Live Scan)
Requirement: A one-time background check processed through the California Department of Justice (DOJ) and the FBI.
Step 1: Pick up a pre-filled Request for Live Scan Service form from the school office or download it from our website. This form includes our district’s unique agency code.
Step 2: Bring your form, a valid government-issued photo ID, and payment to a certified Live Scan vendor (such as local UPS Stores, shipping centers, or Gil’s Tax Services at 1534 Sebastopol Road, Santa Rosa, which accepts walk-ins.) Total fees typically range from $75-85.
Step 3: Complete the process (takes under 10 minutes). Results typically take between 1-30 business days and are sent directly and confidentially to our district records department. The District will notify the site when fingerprint clearance has been received. Note: You only need to complete fingerprinting once during your child’s continued enrollment in the district.
3. Online Mandated Reporter Training
Requirement: A free online course on child abuse prevention.
Action: Complete the course prior to your first volunteer event (or within 30 calendar days of signing up).
Go to the Public School Works training portal.
Select Staff/Volunteer Training and register for an account.
Under Available Courses, select and complete "Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting — Training for Volunteers in California."
Submit your completion certificate to the school office.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is financial assistance available for fingerprinting costs?
Yes. If the Live Scan fee presents a financial hardship, please contact the school office confidentially—our district fund can assist with fees.Is my personal information secure?
Yes. Live Scan transmissions are digital, encrypted, and strictly confidential. Background details are never shared with teachers or outside entities.
Thank you for your partnership, understanding, and ongoing dedication to keeping our campus safe and welcoming for every student.
Warm regards,
Lisa Reid
Superintendent