The Commission unanimously approved a veterinary clinic and multiple residential projects, paving the way for housing growth and neighborhood improvements.
Parent volunteers like these are a familiar sight in Redlands classrooms but proposed changes could limit hours and add new requirements. (Stock photo from Monkey Business Images)
REDLANDS, Calif. — The Redlands Unified School District board on Aug. 5 tabled a vote on proposed changes to its volunteer policy after questions arose about how parents and community members would be made aware of the rules and trained to follow them.
The proposed Board Policy and Administrative Regulation 1240 would replace the district’s current volunteer regulation, in place since 2005.
Why it matters: District officials said the update would bring Redlands Unified in line with best practices for student safety and clarify the role of volunteers in school operations. However, school board members raised questions about training and proposed hour limits.
Key changes proposed under the new policy
Under the new policy, all volunteers must obtain fingerprint clearance from the California Department of Justice. Those attending overnight field trips must also pass a background check by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Registered sex offenders are explicitly prohibited from volunteering, in accordance with state law.
The new policy would also limit volunteers to 10 hours per week in a single classroom setting, including field trips, unless otherwise approved by the superintendent or designee. The policy outlines restrictions on volunteer duties: they may not assign grades, replace classified staff, or perform teaching or administrative responsibilities.
The regulation grants district personnel the authority to immediately remove volunteers who violate school rules or policies. Volunteers may be suspended or permanently banned depending on the severity of the violation.
In addition to clarifying classroom roles, the policy allows for volunteer participation in short-term facilities projects such as installing playground equipment or landscaping—provided the work does not replace the duties of classified maintenance staff and meets safety and licensing requirements.
Volunteers must still submit valid tuberculosis test results within 60 days of applying. The TB test is valid for four years, but volunteers must renew their application each academic year, according to the district’s Human Resources webpage at redlandsusd.net. While board approval is required, volunteers may begin service once their documentation is verified by school administrators.
BP/AR 1240 compared to AR 4229
Board raises concerns over training and hour limits
Trustees Candy Olson and Jeannette Wilson questioned how volunteers would receive verifiable training on district policies, school rules and Title IX-related boundaries.
Board President Michele Rendler said the district currently provides written policies in volunteer packets.
“I feel like that should be a little tighter,” Wilson said, suggesting a formal sign-off process.
Superintendent Juan Cabral said options could include online modules similar to Keenan SafeSchools training used for employees but was hesitant to commit to that without consulting the district team.
Olson suggested having volunteers complete some of the "key modules," agreeing with Wilson that without clear training requirements, volunteers might not fully understand their obligations.
Board member Melissa Ayala-Quintero raised concerns about the 10-hour classroom limit.
"I'm having a little bit of an issue with this because it's capping our volunteers at 10 hours in a single classroom setting. That’s really going to hurt a lot," Ayala-Quintero said, noting that in the past she spent well over 10 hours in her children’s classrooms.
Cabral said the cap is intended to help prevent boundary violations and address issues raised in Title IX complaints, but it would apply only to classroom hours and field trips—not other volunteer activities like schoolwide events or PTA.
Cabral also confirmed the 10-hour limit is per classroom, so families with multiple children would not have to split that time.
Board members voted unanimously to table the item, directing Cabral to return with recommendations for training and implementation. The current volunteer information remains available on the district’s website.
What’s next
The volunteer policy will return to the school board at a future meeting once district staff review training options and implementation details.
No specific date has been set.
Residents can view the current volunteer guidelines and application process on the district’s Human Resources webpage at redlandsusd.net and may share feedback by emailing the board or speaking during public comment at a future meeting.
