At a Tuesday support services committee meeting, members of Durham's School Board and DPS staff gave a new volunteer policy the green light to be voted on by the full board.

School officials say the proposed volunteer requirements would make it easier for parents and other adults to volunteer at school activities.

According to school documents, the system would have the following tiered requirements:

Tier 1: Volunteer activity takes place in highly public settings under supervision and involves little or no student contact. Does not require completion of a volunteer application or a criminal record check. Procedures are established by Principals on site.

Tier 2: Volunteer activity takes place in a classroom or other group setting and is supervised by school staff. Requires completion of a volunteer application. Does not require a criminal record check.

Tier 3: Volunteer activity involves direct or unsupervised contact with student(s) on or off campus. Requires completion of a volunteer application and a criminal record check. Individuals assigned by the school principal who have completed a volunteer application and a criminal record check are permitted to be transported on a yellow school bus or activity bus on school field trips.

The tiered system is part of 10 points, which expand the school system's policy on volunteers (Read more).

School leaders say the proposed policy change is part of an effort to increase volunteers within the school system, which has been going on for years. School board members praised Sheila Miglarese, the district's full time Volunteer Services Coordinator. They say volunteerism within the system has increased by 100% in the approximately two years since Miglarese assumed the newly created the position.

The new policies would open the door for international college students to volunteer at schools. Right now, school policy requires volunteers have a social security number. Many international students do not have one.

School board members present at the meeting also said they believe some undocumented residents would also be permitted to volunteer if the policy was changed. They say Spanish-speaking students could benefit from the move.

The school board is expected to vote on the proposed policy change at their next scheduled meeting.