Selma board approves background-check policy for volunteers; staff to track renewals

The Town of Selma Summer Recreation Advisory Board voted Dec. 17 to approve a background-check policy for volunteers and coaches in Parks and Recreation, with staff-directed implementation and recordkeeping steps to ensure checks are current.

The action directs staff to use the national screening product referenced in the packet (the vendor named in the draft) and to log completed background checks on volunteers' RecDesk profiles. Board members discussed renewal cadence and recordkeeping: staff indicated that a note will be placed on the volunteer's RecDesk profile with the date the check was completed so staff can track expirations.

Board members debated the appropriate renewal interval. While one member suggested a five-year window with annual self-certification between checks, several members argued for more frequent verification. Given the vendor price cited in the discussion (approximately $20 per check), the board leaned toward annual checks and agreed volunteers should reapply each season to ensure contact and compliance information are current.

The board also modified the draft disqualifying-factors language. Members voted to remove wording allowing evaluators to consider "appropriate context" when reviewing disqualifying convictions, expressing concern that such language could introduce subjectivity. Instead, the board directed staff to use objective disqualifying criteria and to allow each case to be reviewed for administrative completeness by town staff.

Why it matters: background checks are intended to protect participants and preserve public trust by screening adults who work with youth in town programs. The board's decisions set expectations for the frequency of checks, the administrative tracking method and the threshold for disqualification.

Staff will add background-check completion notes to volunteer profiles, prepare a renewal schedule and return any remaining policy language edits to the board if necessary.