SLED Background Checks for School Volunteers to Cost $25

During a recent review of background checks, state law enforcement recently discovered some public school districts paid too much for checks on volunteers, others weren't paying enough.
What you may not know, is that not all school districts run background checks on volunteers.

The School District of Pickens County does conduct SLED checks on volunteers. Superintendent Dr. Henry Hunt says, “Primarily we're interested in our childrens' safety." This summer, the district learned the $8 they were paying per background check would now cost them $25. As a result, the school district will no longer be able to absorb the fee. Parent volunteers will have to incur the cost because of budget cuts. Dr. Hunt says, "We have not had the funds available, or allocated, to be directed towards background checks."

We contacted SLED about the increase and SLED Communications Director Jennifer Timmons told News Channel 7 via email, “There has been confusion about the background check fees. There is no “increase.” SLED is following the state statute, which was devised by lawmakers and not SLED. It specifically spells out fees associated with criminal background checks. SLED recently reviewed the background check system and discovered that there were several inconsistencies within school districts across the state.

As an example, here’s the breakdown:

According to the legislature:
Volunteers and Chaperones = $25
Teachers and substitutes = Free
Bus drivers/teacher’s aides/mentors = $8

The code of law also defines what a volunteer/mentor is.

Some school districts were paying too much for some checks and not enough for others. There needs to be consistency across the board. We are following the statute.”

The School District of Pickens County says it’s already looking for ways to help parents who cannot afford to pay the increased fee, perhaps via the PTA or sponsorships.

We asked local districts to tell us if they conduct background checks. Here are the email responses we received Wednesday.

Union County School District, Lewis Jeter, Assistant Superintendent: “Union County Schools does SLED checks on every volunteer and chaperone. Up until this year the district covered the costs. Now that SLED has changed the way it bills the districts, we pass the cost to the individual seeking to become a chaperone or volunteer. Cost is definitely a deterrent… The way SLED has set up its new procedures we must pay $25.00 per check even for Teacher Assistants. Individuals sometimes get angry about the outcome of the checks, but I handle that by being honest and direct. Some parents are unable to pay and that does pose a hardship.”

Laurens School District 55, Lisa Wilson: “Laurens 55 does background checks on volunteers. Laurens 55 covers the cost"

Anderson District 4, Dr. Joanne Avery, Deputy Superintendent: “ ASD4 does background checks on all hires, substitutes, and volunteers. The cost went up for support staff and volunteers as you are aware of and all districts are struggling as to how to handle it. We have and are continuing to cover the costs as it is a critical part of our application processes. No one has ever objected to having this conducted......we have a form as part of the application packet that they fill out authorizing us to do the check."

Cherokee County School District, Dr. Bill James: “We do conduct the background checks and the cost has risen. However we have been able to group ourselves with the Old English Consortium and get the checks at a much reduced rate. We have not had to deny anyone because of background checks, but would if the case presented a potential danger to a child. Paying full cost may not make it a deterrent, but would make it a concern. In the end the benefits outweigh the cost concern."

Spartanburg District 1, Nancy McCarter, Office of the Superintendent: “Spartanburg District One does conduct SLED and DSS background checks on all volunteers and are paid for by the district.”

Spartanburg District 3. Sherri Horton: “Despite the fact that SLED has now decided to charge the maximum fees permitted by law, we have continued to conduct sled checks on all volunteers and chaperones at district cost. Of course, we also conduct checks on teachers, teacher assistants, bus drivers, bus driver aides, and mentors. We also conduct DSS background checks on new employees and all volunteers participating in overnight trips.”

Spartanburg District 4, Kim Hunter, Adminstrative Assistant: Spartanburg District 4 does conduct and pay for SLED background checks on volunteers.

Spartanburg District 5, Dr. Scott Turner, Superintendent: “District Five performs SLED checks and DSS checks on all mentors, chaperones, and volunteers who will be with children. The cost increase this year has had an impact on our budget. Many parents and community members want to be involved in our schools. We do not ask them to pay the cost of the background check. The district covers the costs. We have paid over $7600.00 just to begin this year. Each time another field trip or school activity is planned that uses chaperones or volunteers the costs continue to mount as we perform the background checks. We are hopeful legislation will be enacted that will allow the $8.00 fee uniformly instead of the $25.00 fee.”

Spartanburg District 6, Cynthia Robinson, Director of Public Relations: “We conduct SLED check on all employees, volunteers, and chaperons. SLED checks on classroom teachers are free to the district. The cost for all bus drivers and bus monitors are covered by the State Department of Transportation. For all other personnel, the district pays $25.00. We conduct DSS registry checks on all employees and overnight chaperons. The district pays $15.00 per person.”

Greenville County School District, Oby Lyles, Director of Communications: “Volunteers are cleared EACH school year through the Greenville County Schools (GCS) Volunteer Application Process. The process is currently defined as a background check through the SC Sex Offender Registry. Most of our school volunteers are parents/guardians. They are checked through electronic means at the beginning of each school year. Others (non-parents/non-guardians) must complete a written application and then are checked against the registry. Once approved through the GCS Volunteer Application Process, a person is eligible to volunteer through the school, PTA, and other school organizations. The GCS Volunteer Application Process is in addition to any volunteer procedures used by schools, PTAs, and other school organizations.”