Am I over reacting? And WWYD (Page 2)

I didn't say you did. That's just the direction and attitude I would personally take first - which very well may be what you are doing. I find with even the slightest implication of accusations (especially with something serious) it can really damage dynamics and relationships.

Interesting responses from everyone. I'll be interested to hear the outcome if you don't mind following up.

I feel in the wrong that I am not more outraged. Maybe I am too trusting. Maybe I am assuming from my prior experience that your school is a safe place during working hours, that your child's teacher knows the volunteer and also that you and the teacher had prior knowledge that your daughter would be taken out of class.

Those are a lot of assumptions on my part. So if all of that is actually the opposite - if you and teacher didn't know your child would be taken out class, or if your teacher does not know the volunteer or your school has had incidents of misconduct in the past then yes, I would be more outraged.

How does your wife feel with the responsibilities required of her when she volunteers at the school? Does she know the parents of all the students she works with?

I promise I'm not being snarky or trying to put you on the defensive, just trying to get a better understanding for my own reference.

Trigal38, no problem and good questions.  MY wife has some concerns as well.  No we do not know all the parents.  She finds it strange when she shows up to volunteer the teacher sends the kid into the hallway and my wife teaches them there.  I mean, a person could touch a chile or reversed be accused of touching a child.  I think volunteers should alwats be within sight of official schol employees.

On the lawyer thing, I'm not going to bust out with that but I am going to ask questions any parent would and see what their lawyer thinks. I will also se the county policy, furthermore se if there have been problems in the past.  Trust, I do my due diligence, then, take action.  I'm actually pretty level headed except when I'm in a triathlon!!!!

Here's something for you all to mull over....a bit off the topic, but appropriate I think given the discussion.

It has been my experience from over 2 decades of investigating all manner of crimes, from murder to child abuse, that your child has a much, MUCH greater chance of being molested by a relative or someone close to your family than they ever would by a stranger, or someone in a school setting.

You're probably wanting background investigations on the wrong people.

Another thing to chew on, again, from my experience.....your children are actually safer now (with regard to abuse by adults) than they have ever been, at any other time in history.

I trust our kid's schools......I always give them the benefit of the doubt.  It hasn't failed us yet.

In PA you have a background check done once, that's it. It could have been done 5, 10, 20 years ago, it doesn't matter. So you pass your initial background check and then what?

You seem to be dwelling on the fact that a "non-employee" took your child from the classroom. People are fallible. Administrators, and teachers, and any other school employees are people, and therefore fallible. I agree with Left Brain - your child is probably safer at school than anywhere else. If it upset you then talk to the school, but know that it most likely is NOT a HUGE liability, they've probably been doing it for years, and it will probably happen again, and that's ok. Would you really prefer that there be NO volunteers at the school? I can tell you that that would most definitely affect the quality of education that all the children receive if there are no volunteers. 

http://www.oregonlive.com/news/index.ssf/2010/04/salem_middle_school_volunteer.html 

I can cite many more similar to this.

I do think the volunteer program is great and I support it as noted my wife is a volunteer.  BUT, Im simply saying BG checks would be so much better upfront.  In fact, that might deter anyone with bad motives.

And folks, if you want to comment, it's ok to give me your opinion BUT do not state my opinon on something when in fact I have not said something your comment correlates to.  AKA, don't put words in my mouth.

I can't believe that in this day and age it would not  be automatic.

I think background checks are fine, but they don't deter much....they just don't.

As for the case you cited, and any others you can find....when you take into account the number of volunteers at schools in this country, and the number of children in ours schools, any incidents you can find are statistically insignificant.  Yes, I realize it's extremely significant for a victim and their family, but the truth is, it's just not going to happen to your child.....at least from a stranger or volunteer.

I think you need to get all the details before lawyering up, honestly. And it's a little odd that "I'm amazed a school would let a non employee be around kids on school property', yet you said your wife is a volunteer (non employee) there too. 

I'm sure it was nothing, just get all the facts from the teacher/school before getting too worked up. Was your daughter upset or say anything happened?