[Bob Steele]

In reviewing the FAQ for this item I have read the exemptions for screening.
I see that currently employed teachers and currently employed school employees are exempted (for public schools only) but that the door is open for current school volunteers ... whatever that is...

screening is also defined as: "a web-based process that searches an individuals criminal history."

I believe that if you have a criminal records based screening method, as defined above, already in place for your public school that you may be exempt. For those of us in these schools, we must still pay a fee, similar to that shown in FIRST for these screenings. We have never had a mentor/volunteer pay them so the cost is still born by the organization. The only difference is that we will recieve information back from these and not just a red or green.
We would also have to use the FIRST method for any NEW school volunteers because this only works for current school volunteers...one must assume that current means before the beginning of this year when the system was put into place.

I must agree with many who have indicated that FIRST is just placing another burden on the team leader who is, in most cases, a teacher... FIRST has consistently given little credit to teachers... most of their awards and recognition are for MENTORS, Engineers, volunteers for regional events... no awards or recognition for those leaders and teachers who have put in countless hours working behind the scenes and without whose efforts the program would fail. Nope let's just lump one more program and time on the teacher/ to protect FIRST's liability...

thanks for listening