Volunteer Approval Guidelines

Purpose

These guidelines explain the volunteer approval process for individuals who wish to volunteer with Splendora ISD.

Volunteer Approval Process

All volunteers must be approved by the Office of the Director of Communications before volunteering at any school campus, school event, field trip, or other district-sponsored activity. Volunteers work within the school programs by interacting with teachers and students. 

To become an approved volunteer:

1. Complete the online Volunteer Application.
2. By submitting the online application through Raptor Technologies, you authorize Splendora ISD to conduct a criminal history background check using your name and other identifying information.
3. Approved volunteers are added to the district's volunteer database, which is accessible to all campuses through Raptor Technologies.
4. Volunteer approval is valid for one school year only. Applications expire annually on July 31.
5. The last day to submit a volunteer application for the current school year is April 30.

Note: To allow enough time for processing, Splendora ISD recommends submitting your application at least two weeks before the event or activity where you plan to volunteer.

Background Check Requirements

In accordance with Texas Education Code §22.0835(c) and Splendora ISD Board Policy GKG, all volunteers, including parents and guardians, must successfully complete a criminal history background check before participating in any district volunteer activity or attending a school field trip.

Applicants must also provide a valid driver's license or another government-issued photo ID when completing the volunteer application.

Volunteer Eligibility

A volunteer applicant will not be approved if they have been convicted of:

• An offense requiring registration as a sex offender
• Any of the following non-reviewable offenses identified in Texas Penal Code Title 5 (Crimes Against the Person), including:
  • Criminal Homicide
  • Capital Murder
  • Public Lewdness
  • Injury to a Child
  • Aggravated Sexual Assault
  • Indecency with a Child
  • Abandoning or Endangering a Child
  • Sale or Purchase of a Child
  • Kidnapping and False Imprisonment
  • Prohibited Sexual Conduct
  • Murder
  • Rape
  • Sexual Assault
  • Arson
  • Robbery
  • Obscenity

Additional Reasons an Application May Be Denied

A volunteer application may also be denied for any of the following:

• Prior conviction or deferred adjudication of any felony offense;
• Prior conviction or deferred adjudication of any offense (felony or misdemeanor) involving drugs or drug paraphernalia;
• Prior conviction or deferred adjudication of a misdemeanor offense within the last five years involving moral turpitude (acts that are generally considered morally or ethically wrong), including, but not limited to, crimes that involve dishonesty, fraud, deceit, misrepresentation, or deliberate violence;
• Failure to disclose prior convictions or arrests on the volunteer application and/or provide additional requested information regarding any offense(s).

Factors Considered During Review

When district policy allows for discretionary review, Splendora ISD may consider:

• Possibility of incorrect identity: Applicant may provide evidence to support his/her identity to clear any misidentification at their expense.
• Nature of the offense: age of applicant at time of offense; length of time since offense occurred;
• Number and nature of offenses since the disqualifying offense: a clear record of 10 years or more may indicate remediation;
• Period of probation completed, with no infractions;
• Dismissed charges may be disregarded;
• Any other factor within the District’s discretion relevant to the applicant’s suitability for working with students;
• Type of volunteer work to be performed.

Questions or Appeals

If you believe you were incorrectly denied the opportunity to volunteer, please contact:

Lisa Foster
Communications Coordinator
Email Lisa Foster
Phone: 281-689-4358

Revised July 31, 2025