Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Apr 26/02) - A new policy being considered by the Yellowknife Catholics Schools board would mean security checks for all school volunteers.

The policy passed first reading at the board's April monthly meeting. It reads:

"Security clearance of staff and contracted personnel is of primary importance in providing a safe learning environment in which to conduct our programs.

Adult volunteers will be screened as appropriate for the activity and level of involvement."

Details on what this would actually mean were not immediately available.

St. Patrick High School principal Johnnie Bowden said initial discussions suggested making RCMP clearances mandatory, although the current policy wording does not stipulate the police check.

He said it could be difficult to provide run all volunteers through RCMP databases.

"You don't want to dissuade volunteers by putting them through a process that's going to take three to four months to complete," he said.

He said volunteers are currently given informal screenings because "we have to err on the side of safety."

Bowden said students are given an extra measure of safety since volunteers work under the guidance of staff.