Pink background plants coming out of the corners and the words: Visitors and Volunteers

Visitors

  • When visiting during school hours, you must sign in at the main office and present a valid state-issued ID. The ID will be scanned into the visitor management program, Raptor, which gives us alerts on people who may jeopardize the safety of our students, staff, and campus.

  • The Raptor system will print you a visitor badge with a photo. This badge must be worn during your entire visit and returned to the office before you leave.

Visitor handing ID

Volunteers

Volunteer Information

Effective October 2, 2017, all volunteer applicants will undergo a Level 2 background screening. Volunteer fees will be the responsibility of the applicant for applications submitted for field trip purposes only. The fingerprinting fee is collected at the time of fingerprinting in the amount of $41.25, payable by debit/credit to a third-party vendor. Volunteer fees for ongoing volunteer services will be borne by the District.

Approved volunteers will remain active for five (5) years from the date of approval. Upon expiration, a new volunteer application must be submitted for approval. It is the responsibility of the volunteer to maintain active status.

How to Become a Volunteer

  1. Volunteer classroom assignments must be preapproved by the school administrator prior to submission of the volunteer application. Human Resources will verify with the administrator prior to process the submitted application.

  2. Complete the volunteer application by clicking here in its entirety. Incomplete applications will not be processed and approval will be delayed. When you click on the link it will take you to the SBHC website. Please find the link there to fill out the volunteer application.

NOTE: Failure to disclose a criminal history may result in a denial of your application and you may be eligible to reapply in one year.

  1. Submit the volunteer application for processing. A minimum of 21 business days is required. Applicants with a criminal history may require additional information and processing time; therefore, should plan accordingly.

  2. Fingerprinting is conducted at an offsite location.

NOTE VOLUNTEER COACHES: Volunteer coach applicants will be notified via email of additional processing requirements by Human Resources. Pending volunteer coaches cannot be on the field/court with students until all clearances have been received and the school administrator and/or athletic director has received such verification from Human Resources.

  1. Applicants are responsible for verifying approval status at the appropriate school location before volunteering in any capacity. Approved applications will remain active for five (5) years. Active volunteer status may be revoked, at any time within the five (5) year validity period, at the discretion of the School Board of Highlands County.

  2. Active volunteers are responsible to self-report within 48 hours, to the Human Resources manager, of any arrest. A telephone message can be left 24 hours a day at 863.471.5733. A written follow-up statement must be provided within five (5) business days of leaving the telephone message. Failure to self-report may result in inactive status.

Legal Authorization to Screen Volunteers

All potential volunteers are held to the same standards as any School Board of Highlands County employee and will be screened under the following provisions:

  • Foley Amendment, National Child Protection Act, and the correlating Florida legislation under section 943.0542, F.S. (1999)

  • SB 1774/HB 0891, May 21, 2004, Identifying Sexual Predators/Offenders against the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) database

NOTE: Individuals who are not eligible for employment by the School Board of Highlands County are not eligible to volunteer at any Highlands County school campus.