Safe Schools - New State Requirement for Mandated Reporting & Volunteer Training (SB 848)
Dear Sierra Unified Families and Staff,
Sierra Unified School District is committed to keeping every student safe at school and in every program we offer. We are writing to inform you about a new state law, Senate Bill 848, that strengthens child safety requirements for schools across California, and how our district is putting it into practice.
SB 848 expands the legal definition of a “mandated reporter”—someone who is legally required to report suspected child abuse or neglect—to include not only school employees, but also school volunteers, contractors who work with students, and our Governing Board members. The law also requires annual training on mandated reporting, abuse prevention, and professional boundaries for everyone in these roles.
What this means for Sierra Unified:
- District Employees: All staff will continue to complete annual mandated reporter training, which now features expanded content on abuse prevention and professional boundaries.
- School Volunteers: Volunteers who interact with students outside a parent's or staff member's direct supervision (including classroom helpers, field trip chaperones, and athletic aides) must complete a short training session before beginning or continuing their service.
- Policy Updates: The district has adopted a written professional-boundaries policy (Board Policy 4119.24) and updated our Comprehensive School Safety Plans to reflect these new state requirements.
What we are asking of our volunteers & chaperones:
If you currently volunteer, or plan to volunteer, at a Sierra Unified school, please:
- Download and complete the Volunteer Application using the link HERE.
- Email the completed Volunteer Application to volunteers@sierrausd.org.
- Once fingerprinting is cleared & confirmed, you will receive a training link from Public School Works to log in, set up an account, and complete the required training.
THIS TRAINING MUST BE COMPLETED BEFORE a volunteer begins ANY unsupervised contact with students, AND ANNUALLY thereafter.
Because this is a newly enacted state requirement, we are rolling out the process carefully to ensure a smooth transition. Thank you for your patience and for partnering with us to keep every Sierra Unified school safe.
If you have any questions, please contact Kari Collins, Director of Personnel, at the Sierra Unified School District Office, 559.855.3662.
Sincerely,
Sierra Unified School District Administration