NORTHERN VALLEY REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL FILE CODE: 1200.1 Demarest, New Jersey Monitored Mandated Policy X Other Reasons VOLUNTEER ATHLETIC COACHES The Northern Valley Board of Education recognizes the services of volunteer athletic coaches who may bring unique skills to the district, enrich the athletic program, assist the district s coaching staff members in the performance of their duties, and enhance the relationship between the school district and the community. The Board directs a program for the utilization of volunteer athletic coaches in grades nine through twelve. The Superintendent or his/her designee will be responsible for the recruitment and screening of volunteer athletic coaches and their assignment. The district is not obligated to utilize the proffered services of a volunteer athletic coach whose abilities or interests do not serve the needs of the school district as determined by the Superintendent. Coaching volunteers must be persons of known character, responsibility and integrity and must be recommended by the Superintendent and approved by the Board of education prior to assuming any coaching responsibilities. The Superintendent or his/her designee shall prepare and promulgate rules of conduct for volunteer athletic coaches. Each volunteer athletic coach will be given a copy of this policy and the rules of conduct. A. All volunteer athletic coaches shall only serve upon the recommendation of the Athletic Director to the Superintendent of Schools who shall make a recommendation for approval to the Board of Education for each individual sport and/or activity. B. All volunteer athletic coaches must have completed a satisfactory criminal background check, including a fingerprint test at volunteer s expense, pass a required tuberculosis screening, and should have a total of 60 college credits along with appropriate certification in accordance with the NJSIAA guidelines. The Superintendent and/or the Athletic Director may require additional documentation that they determine is appropriate. A waiver can be granted regarding the 60 credit rule based on the recommendation of the head coach, athletic director, and principal. The Superintendent shall provide information that supports his/her recommendation for Board approval. C. Notwithstanding the provision of B above, a person that does not possess a County Certificate but has fulfilled a satisfactory criminal background check, including a fingerprint test, may be recommended by the Superintendent and/or the Athletic Director and approved by the Board of Education to serve as a volunteer athletic paraprofessional coach. D. All volunteer coaches must have completed the State mandated CPR/First Aid and Bloodborne Pathogens classes before the particular season that they will be volunteers. E. All volunteer athletic coaches must have completed the Northern Valley anti-bullying course before the particular season that they will be volunteers. F. Volunteer athletic coaches shall only serve under the direction and immediate supervision of a head and/or assistant coach employed by the Board.
G. Volunteer athletic coaches who are not certified shall not directly supervise athletes in the absence of a head and/or assistant coach employed by the Board. H. Volunteer athletic coaches must clearly understand their duties and responsibilities, including the duty to comply with all district rules, policies and regulations and the regulations of the NJSIAA, and perform no services outside those duties. I. All volunteer athletic coaches must be provided a full job description approved by the Head Coach which must be reviewed and approved by the Athletic Director before the particular season that they will be volunteers. J. Volunteer athletic coaches serve only in a support capacity and only head or assistant coaches employed by the Board are responsible for the supervision and instruction provided to pupils participating in the athletic program. K. Volunteer athletic coaches may not directly supervise athletes as they are transported to and from practices and/or all games in the absence of a head and/or assistant coach employed by the Board. L. Volunteer athletic coaches shall respect the individuality, dignity and worth of each pupil. M. Volunteer athletic coaches are not permitted access to pupil records. N. Volunteer athletic coaches who become aware of any confidential pupil matters as a result of their volunteer activities must disclose such information to the Athletic Director. O. Volunteer athletic coaches must consult with the Athletic Director regarding any matters or questions regarding their duties and responsibilities. P. Volunteer athletic coaches are permitted to have a Northern Valley e-mail account which will be restricted to only athletic information. Q. Volunteers shall receive no financial remuneration from the Northern Valley Board of Education, athletic clubs/boosters or parents for serving as a volunteer coach. R. Volunteer athletic coaches may be immediately relieved of their volunteer responsibilities, with or without cause, by the Superintendent with such action to be recommended to the Board by the Superintendent at the next Board Meeting following relief of duties. S. A volunteer coach who is a parent of an athlete on a Northern Valley team may serve as a volunteer coach based on the recommendation of the Athletic Director, Principal and Superintendent and approved by the Board of Education. Any concerns about a parent volunteer coach shall be brought to the attention of the AD, Principal, Superintendent and to the Athletic Committee for resolution. T. If a coach decides to invite a guest volunteer to a practice and/or game, this must be approved by the Athletic Director and Principal not less than 24 hours in advance unless waived by the Superintendent. The guest volunteer must be provided guidelines by the Head Coach and must always be in the presence of a coach employed by the Board. 2
U. Athletic Directors shall advise the Superintendent thirty (30) days in advance of the activity of proposed volunteer coaches who desire to participate in all athletic summer activities sponsored by NVRHSD. The Superintendent reserves the right to approve or deny a particular parent volunteer coach. The Superintendent shall report annually to the Board on the number of volunteer coaches serving in the district and the duties performed by volunteer coaches. Adopted: September 12, 2011 Reviewed: December, 2011 Adopted: January 23, 2012 Key Words Volunteer Coaches, Athletic Coach, Head Coach Legal References: N.J.S.A. 18A:6-7.1 Criminal record check in public school employment, volunteer service Possible Cross References: *1000/1010 Concepts and roles in community relations; goals and objectives *1120 Board of education meetings *1200 Participation by the public 1210 Community organizations *1220 Ad hoc advisory committees *4112.2 Certification *5020 Role of parents/guardians *6162.4 Community resources *Indicates policy is included in the Critical Policy Reference Manual. 3
GENERAL JOB DESCRIPTON FOR VOLUNTEER COACHES 1. Volunteer Coaches must respect the individuality, dignity and worth of each pupil. In addition, the Volunteer Coach will assist in teaching the individual and team skills and fundaments in an effort to get the very best individual and/or team performance. 2. Volunteer Coaches will receive a Northern Valley e-mail account in which they will be restricted to only athletic information. 3. Volunteer Coaches are not permitted access to pupil records. 4. Volunteer Coaches will maintain a positive interaction with the parents. 5. Winning and being competitive are important. However, teaching and coaching are paramount at all levels. 6. Volunteer Athletic Coaches who become aware of any confidential pupil matters as a result of their volunteer activities must disclose such information to the Athletic Director. 7. Volunteer Coaches shall only serve under the direction and immediate supervision of a Head and/or Assistant Coach and Athletic Director employed by the Northern Valley Board of Education. 8. Under no circumstances may a volunteer coach directly supervise athletes in the absence of a Head and/or Assistant Coach. 9. Volunteer Coaches may not directly supervise athletes as they are transported to and from practice and/or all games in the absence of a Head and/or Assistant Coach employed by the Board. 10. Volunteer Coaches must clearly understand their duties and responsibilities, including the duty to comply with all Northern Valley District rules, policies and regulations and the regulations of the NJSIAA, and perform no service outside those duties. 11. Volunteer Athletic Coaches serve only in a support capacity and only Head or Assistant Coaches employed by the Board are responsible for the supervision and instruction provided to pupils participating in the athletic program. 4
12. A Volunteer Coach will be given a job description setting forth their duties and responsibilities for that particular sport in which they are volunteering which will be approved by the Head Coach and reviewed by the Athletic Director. This job description will outline the responsibilities in assisting all full-time Northern Valley coach or coaches with the daily, weekly and seasonal practice and game operations. This document will be signed by the Volunteer Coach verifying that he/she agrees to the terms of the Volunteer Coach job description. 13. Volunteer Coaches may be immediately relieved of their volunteer responsibilities, with or without cause, by the Athletic Director/Principal/Superintendent. I have read all of the above and agree to all of the Volunteer Coaching job description rules and regulations. In addition, I completely understand that Volunteer Coaches will receive no financial remuneration from the Northern Valley Board of Education, athletic clubs or parents. Signature of Volunteer Coach Signature of Head Coach Signature of Athletic Director 5