Chaplains will be able to apply for volunteer positions in Celina ISD after school officials took action on a new state law regarding chaplains as counselors.

“What we’re recommending is that we allow [chaplains] to volunteer as part of our emergency response should anything occur,” Assistant Superintendent of Administrative Services John Mathews said.

What you need to know

The district’s board of trustees approved the addition to the school volunteer policy during a Sept. 18 meeting. The decision came in response to a requirement that school boards across the state take a recorded vote regarding the new policy. School boards must vote between Sept. 1 and March 1, according to district documents.

Under the policy, chaplains may provide assistance in areas that support:

• Teaching and learning
• Welfare of students or staff
• The district in other areas of need

The district will obtain criminal history of the volunteers and determine the person’s eligibility, according to district documents. All chaplains will also undergo ​​volunteer training with the district’s counselors and student services, Mathews said.

The provisions of the policy apply to the 2023-24 school year, according to district documents.

The backstory

Senate Bill 763 authorizes school districts to employ chaplains or accept them as volunteers for support, services and programs as assigned by the school board, according to the resolution. Per the bill, school boards across the state are required to take action on whether to adopt a policy authorizing district campuses to accept chaplains for counseling aid.