Greetings,
We appreciate your interest in volunteering in Polk County Public Schools. Our schools offer a variety of volunteer opportunities you may choose from when volunteering your time.
All volunteer applicants will be required to undergo a criminal background screen every five (5) years from the date of approval.
Because Polk County Public Schools values student safety and security, prior conduct may disqualify a volunteer applicant. To meet the required search criteria of Section 943.04351, Florida Statutes, for information regarding sexual predators and sexual offenders, schools must complete a criminal background screen. Accordingly, applicants will not be approved as school volunteers for the following reasons:
1. Convicted of or had adjudication withheld for any felony offense, at any time;
2. Convicted of or had adjudication withheld for any misdemeanor within the past three (3) years; or
3. Any pending criminal charges of a crime that would disqualify the applicant from employment with Polk County Public Schools.
Review the qualifications above carefully before submitting your application. Once you submit your volunteer application and upon approval you will receive notification on next steps.
It is very important that the information you enter on the application matches your government issued identification card including your full legal name. It is important that you provide a valid email address so you can be notified as to the status of your application and for future communication. If you are unable to provide an email address, please contact your school's volunteer coordinator. Polk County Public Schools is subject to laws governing the release of public records, including Florida Statutes Chapter 119.
If you have any questions about the application, please contact the Department of Public Relations & Strategic Partnerships at 863.457.4708, Option 2 (Volunteers).
Thank you,
The Department of Public Relations & Strategic Partnerships
***Active and sworn law enforcement officers with arresting power, current PCPS employees, registered PCPS students and college students majoring in EDUCATION (college student must be pre-screened through the district's Pre-Employment Services dept.) are EXEMPT from paying the background check fee. If you are EXEMPT, please click here https://www.polkschoolsfl.com/community/getinvolved#exemptvolunteers