PENCIL’s work is to engage groups of volunteers that support initiatives within Metro Nashville Public Schools (MNPS). As part of this work, we facilitate the background checks for all volunteers that fill certain roles within MNPS.
PLEASE NOTE: Not every volunteer role requires a background check. If you do not see your volunteer role listed below, contact your school directly to confirm you need to complete a background check.
A background check is required if you will be volunteering in one of the following roles:
If you would like to volunteer at a Metro Nashville Public School or program outside of PENCIL programs, please contact the school directly.
PENCIL partners with a secure, third-party background check service called Asurint.
Neither MNPS nor PENCIL will have access to any of your personal information that you provide for the background check. Asurint will not retain any of your personal information once your background check has been processed.
Once you register via the PENCIL website, you will receive an email with a direct link and code to complete your background check via the Asurint website. You must complete all of the required fields in order for the background check to process. There will be one portion of the background check which allows you to upload documents, such as a W-2, pay stub, etc. No documents need to be uploaded in order to process your background check – you may simply click “next” to proceed through the background check.
The background check will look at any data from your lifetime.
Depending on where you live, your background check can take up to five business days. On average, 90% of background checks take less than 24 hours from the moment of submission.
PENCIL provides a cumulative list of background check results directly to school contacts once a week. You will also receive an email from a PENCIL staff member when your background check has cleared and you are free to contact your school.
Your background check is valid for one year, 365 days.
A background check is required if you will be volunteering in one of the following roles:
PENCIL defers to Metro Nashville Public Schools regarding all background check decisions.
Per guidelines provided by the district, a potential volunteer with a prior misdemeanor conviction will be considered on a case by case basis. Clearance is dependent upon the offense and number of convictions. If you have specific questions or concerns, please email backgroundchecks@pencil615.org for more information.
PENCIL defers to Metro Nashville Public Schools regarding all background check decisions.
Per guidelines provided by the district, a potential volunteer with a prior felony conviction can only be considered if the conviction is 7 years or older. Absolutely no felony convictions regarding assault or weapons will be approved. If you have specific questions or concerns, please email backgroundchecks@pencil615.org for more information.
Per Metro Nashville Public School policy, parents of MNPS students only require a background check if they are volunteering in the following ways:
Upon arrival at the school, check in at the main office and be prepared to provide your ID.
If your question is not answered above, please reach out to PENCIL for further information:
