(Policies to be adopted 10-7-08)
OCTOBER 2, 2008
THE PARISH SCHOOL BOARD OF VERNON PARISH LOUISIANA CONVENED IN REGULAR SESSION AT 10:00 A.M., OCTOBER 2, 2008, 201 BELVIEW ROAD, LEESVILLE, LOUISIANA. PRESIDENT FORD CALLED THE MEETING TO ORDER AND ON ROLL CALL THE FOLLOWING MEMBERS WERE PRESENT:
BERYL FORD, PRESIDENT
STEVE WOODS, VICE-PRESIDENT
ROBERT PYNES JR.
MEL HARRIS
MARK SMITH
JOHN C. BURNS
RANDY MARTIN
MICHAEL PERKINS
VERNON TRAVIS
GAYE MCKEE
GENE HAYMON
COL. DAVID G. SAGE
ABSENT: RICKY REESE - BUSINESS OBLIGATION
There was also present Dr. Cynthia A. Gillespie, Secretary of the Board.
The meeting was opened in prayer by John Burns.
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Steve Woods.
On motion of Vernon Travis, seconded by Gaye McKee, the Board voted to approve the minutes of the September 9, 2008 regular meeting and dispense with the reading of the minutes.
On motion of John Burns, seconded by Steve Woods, the Board voted to approve the Pupil Progression Plan.
Changes to Pupil Progression Plan for 2008-2009
1. Page 16: Changed Dial R to Developmental Skills Checklist as the screening instrument for kindergarten.
2. Page 18: Added "throughout the school year" to bullet referring to students who are failing to meet requirements being referred to the SBLC.
3. Page 21: Added "(24 beginning with incoming freshmen in 2008-2009)" to statement referring to Carnegie units of credit required for graduation.
4. Page 23: Deleted "Seven through 12 Grade Honors Classes / AP Classes / Dual Credit Classes / Advanced Classes (including): Advanced Math, Trigonometry, Calculus, Biology II, Physics, Microbiology, Pharmacy Tech., CCNA, IT Essentials, will have three points added to each six-weeks averaged grade and final exam. This will not apply to Louisiana Virtual School classes."
5. Updated section on LVS Grades to read as follows:
LVS Grades
LVS (Louisiana Virtual School) issues "Grades in Progress" during the semester for full year classes. At the end of they fall and spring semesters a final semester grade is issued. The two semester grades will be averaged together and final grades awarded as follows:
3.5 - 4.0 = A
2.5 - 3.49 = B
1.5 - 2.49 = C
1.0 - 1.49 = D
< 1.0 = F
NOTE: A student must maintain a minimum grade of 'D' in the second semester to receive course credit. The receipt of a 'F' for the second semester will result in the failure of that course.
BLOCK/ ½ CREDIT CLASSES
LVS issues 'Grades in Progress' during the semester for block and ½ credit classes. At the end of the semester, LVS issues a final grade. This grade will be considered the final grade for the subject and will be posted as such on the student transcript.
SUMMER SCHOOL CLASSES
LVS issues 'Grades in Progress' during the summer school session for all classes. As the end of the summer, LVS issues a final grade. This grade will be considered the final grade for the subject and will be posted as such on the student transcript.
6. Page 27: Deleted 'salutatorian or valedictorian' at the end of the statement referring to Special Education Students in grades 7-12 not being eligible for academic honors.
7. Page 38: Deleted: A classroom folder will be maintained for each student in grades K-6. These folders will contain the following:
· Data from placement tests, and reading unit tests must be documented on student reading folders.
· Student records for mathematics and language arts are to be continually up-dated as tests are given.
· Test booklets for the reading unit test given are to be kept in the student's folder until the student has demonstrated mastery of the first unit in the next grade booklet.
On motion of Mark Smith for Beryl Ford, seconded by Gaye McKee, the Board voted to advertise for bids for improvements to Evans High School.
Gloria Holland, Fort Polk School Liaison Officer, introduced Emily Murphy, second School Liaison Officer.
Mr. Neubert discussed the following policy additions and/or changes:
PUBLIC CONCERNS AND COMPLAINTS
It shall be the policy of the Vernon Parish School Board that written allegations concerning local school policy, or concerns about school matters be submitted to the principal of the school. If the matter cannot be settled at this level the matter should then be presented to the Superintendent in writing with all allegations documented and signed.
It shall further be the responsibility of the principal of the school and Superintendent to document any and all meetings of this nature.
These documents shall be made available to the School Board members in the event these matters reach the School Board.
PUBLIC COMPLAINTS
Constructive criticism of the schools is welcomed by the Vernon Parish School Board whenever it is motivated by a sincere desire to improve the quality of the educational program or to equip the schools to do their tasks more effectively. The Board has, however, confidence in its professional staff and desires to support their actions in order that they be free from unnecessary, spiteful, or negative criticism and complaint. Therefore, whenever a complaint is made directly to the Board as a whole or to a Board member as an individual, it will be referred to the principal or designee of the school for study and possible solution.
The Board advises the public that the proper channeling of complaints involving instruction, discipline, or learning materials is as follows:
1. Principal
2. Superintendent
3. School Board
The Board shall require the Superintendent and staff to maintain and disseminate information to parents, legal guardians, and the general public on the proper process and contact information to be used when making complaints.
The Board will consider hearing citizen complaints when they cannot be resolved by the administration (teacher, principal and Superintendent). Matters referred to the Board shall be submitted through the Superintendent and must be in writing and should be specific in terms of the action desired. The Board shall not consider or act on complaints that have not been explored at the appropriate administrative level.
Revised: September, 2008
Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§17:81, 17:172.
MEETINGS
The Vernon Parish School Board has the authority to hold as many Board meetings per month as the Board deems necessary. The Board shall conduct at least one (1) regularly scheduled meeting per month.
Special meetings may be held as the Board determines or as occasion may require.
At any regular or special meeting of the Board, no business may be transacted which does not come within the purpose or purposes set forth in the agenda for the meeting, except upon unanimous approval of the members of the Board present at that meeting. The motion to add an item not on the agenda shall identify the item with reasonable specificity, including the purpose for the proposed addition to the agenda, and shall be entered into the minutes. In keeping with state law and Board policy, prior to any vote to add an item to the agenda, there shall be an opportunity for public comment on the motion.
The public and news media shall be informed of the dates of all regular and special meetings. All meetings shall be open to the public except meetings that meet the criteria described in Louisiana law for being closed meetings.
Official actions or decisions shall be made only in official meetings of the Board. No member of the Board or any committee of the Board shall have the power to act in the name of the Board outside of official Board meetings unless so designated by a majority of the Board duly convened.
It is the desire of the Board that meetings shall be formal enough for orderly procedure but informal enough to be natural, to encourage free discussion and to promote group thinking and action. In matters of procedures not covered by law, Board policy, or the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE), meetings of the Board shall be governed by Robert's Rules of Order, Revised. The President shall be entitled to discuss and vote on all matters before the Board.
The President may preclude discussion which does not apply to the motion last made. He/she may also minimize or halt discussion of a matter if the Board has previously agreed to confine discussion to a definite period of time, and that period has been used up. Aside from such limitation, the President may limit debate only with the concurrence of two-thirds vote of the members present.
ATTENDANCE AT BOARD MEETINGS
Any time a Board member attends meetings on behalf of the Board that occur at the same time of a scheduled Board meeting, the member shall receive an excused absence from the Board meeting.
Revised: February, 2000
Revised: September, 2008
Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§17:81, 42:4.1, 42:42, 42:5, 42:5.2, 42:6, 42:6.1, 42:7, 42:7.1, 42:9, 42:10; Board minutes, 10-7-99, 1-6-00.
AGENDA PREPARATION AND DISSEMINATION
The Vernon Parish School Board President shall direct the Superintendent to prepare, or cause to be prepared, an agenda for all regular Board meetings. Items of business may be suggested by Board members, administrative staff, employees, school patrons, or lay citizens of the school district for inclusion on the agenda. A request to be considered for a place on the agenda by any group or individual other than a Board member shall be filed in writing with the Superintendent at least five (5) working days prior to the next Board meeting. Any material to be used must be submitted at the time of request. Citizens of the school district shall be given special consideration for addressing the Board.
Items of business not on the agenda may not be suggested from the floor for discussion except by approval of two-thirds unanimous approval of the members present at a meeting unless requested by the Board's legal advisor. The motion to add an item not on the agenda shall identify the item with reasonable specificity, including the purpose for the proposed addition to the agenda, and shall be entered into the minutes. In keeping with state law and Board policy, prior to any vote to add an item to the agenda, there shall be an opportunity for public comment on the motion.
All Board meeting materials and supporting data shall be disseminated to the members of the Board so that they are received no later than the Friday of the week preceding any Board meeting, whenever possible. The Superintendent may amend or revise an agenda between the time of preparation and the meeting date, but the Board shall have the discretion as to whether it will consider the additional items.
Revised: September, 2008
Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §42.7.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
It is the policy of the Vernon Parish School Board to conduct all meetings in full view of and with welcomed participation by the public. However, the Board reserves the right to recess into or call executive sessions for discussing private matters as provided by State Law. At no time shall actions be taken or resolutions made during executive sessions.
The School Board has approved two (2) methods for the public to address the Board. The first method requires all delegations or individuals who wish to place an item on a Board meeting agenda to submit their requests to the Superintendent in writing at least five (5) days prior to the meeting date, stating what matters they wish to take up with the Board and the approximate time such matters should consume at the meeting. The Superintendent shall have the authority to determine whether items requested are significant enough to appear on the meeting agenda or be referred to the appropriate Board committee. Each delegation appearing before the Board shall select one person in advance as its spokesperson and notify the Superintendent.
In addition, the public may also address the Board during a public comment period held before any vote is taken on an agenda item. The comment period shall precede each agenda item and shall be conducted in accordance with procedures established by the Board. Individuals who wish to comment on an agenda item shall complete a Public Comment Card at least thirty (30) minutes prior to the meeting time. Public Comment Cards shall be available at the receptionist's desk in the School Board office. If an agenda item is added to the agenda during the meeting, the President shall ask individuals in the audience if they wish to speak on that item.
In the event that the Board should add an item to its agenda after the Board meeting begins, the Board President shall orally request of the audience whether anyone in attendance would like to speak on the added agenda item. Each person indicating a desire to do so shall be given an opportunity to address the Board on each agenda item added. The Board shall delay deliberations on that agenda item until such time as all interested members of the public have had an opportunity to speak.
Comments shall be germane to the agenda item being addressed and shall be limited to five (5) minutes unless waived by the Board. A person is not entitled to take up business before the Board unless the item in which he/she is interested has been placed on the agenda of that meeting. The President shall have the authority to remove any person disrupting or interfering in any manner with the conduction of a meeting of the Board.
Revised: August, 1997 Revised: September, 2008
Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§17:81, 42:5, 42:5.1, 42:6.
EMPLOYMENT OF PERSONNEL
The Vernon Parish School Board and its administrative staff believes that it has an obligation to provide the children attending its schools with the very best personnel available regardless of race, color, creed, sex, age, national origin or any similar personal characteristic. Age shall be considered only with respect to minimums set by law.
The Superintendent or his/her designee shall be responsible for establishing and maintaining appropriate procedures for reviewing and evaluating any and all applicants for selection, including administrative and supervisory personnel, and assuring adherence to applicable state and federal legal requirements. Selection of personnel to fill all positions shall be made on a non-discriminatory basis with selection procedures and evaluative criteria known to all applicants. Applicants should not resort to the use of political, social, or other pressures to gain employment or promotion.
PERSONNEL CHANGES
The School Board shall select teachers and all other personnel from recommendations made by the Superintendent. It shall be the responsibility of the Superintendent to ensure that all persons recommended have proper certification where applicable, and are qualified for the position. Nothing shall prevent the School Board from rejecting the recommendation made by the Superintendent and requiring the Superintendent to submit additional recommendations.
CERTIFIED PERSONNEL
The Superintendent and/or his/her designee shall consult with the principal regarding any possible selections made by the Superintendent for hiring or placement of any teacher or other certified personnel at the school in which the principal is employed. In addition, the Superintendent and/or his/her designee shall consult with teachers regarding any possible selections made by the Superintendent for the hiring or placement of a principal at the school in which such teachers are employed, subject to the provisions of any applicable court order.
The Board shall require all teaching personnel employed by the district to possess those qualifications set forth by the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) and by all applicable accrediting agencies. The Board also recognizes that these qualifications, as well as qualifications for all positions, are set up to promote minimum standards. The Superintendent and/or his/her designee shall strive to employ persons who exceed these minimum requirements, whenever possible.
BUS DRIVERS
The School Board shall only employ as school bus drivers those persons who have met all state and federal requirements for such positions. Whenever a school bus operator is needed to drive a new route or a route vacated by a previous operator, the school bus operator who is tenured and has acquired the greatest seniority shall be offered the opportunity to and may change from driving his/her route to the vacant route before another operator is selected. If the tenured bus operator with the greatest seniority chooses not to change to the vacant route, the route shall then be offered in order of seniority to a school bus operator who has acquired tenure.
If no tenured operator chooses to change to the vacant route, the route shall then be offered to a fullâ¬time probationary bus operator.
If no regular bus operator, tenured or probationary, chooses to change to the vacant route, then a substitute bus operator shall be selected for the position from a list of approved substitute school bus operators. If no tenured, probationary, or substitute bus operator wants the route, then a new driver shall be hired.
Whenever a school bus operator owning his/her own bus retires, the Board shall first offer a vacated route to any person meeting the requirements of the School Board who is willing to acquire the bus of the retiring operator at full appraised value. This provision shall be applicable only when the bus owned by the retiring operator has been manufactured within a period of five (5) years immediately prior to the operator's retirement and the operator is retiring due to a documented physical disability.
The School Board may select an operator to fill a vacant route using a different process than outlined above, but only if the Board is required to bear an increase in the unreimbursed costs for nonpassenger miles over those attributable to the previous operator who vacated the route.
Whenever a vacancy occurs on a route due to death, resignation, retirement, or the expiration of the regular operator's approved leave, or a new route is established, the route shall be filled with a regular school bus operator using the process stated above no later than the following school year unless the route is consolidated or eliminated.
If an operator is on approved leave, his/her route shall not be considered a vacant route. A substitute shall be used to drive a route for an operator on approved leave regardless of the length of time of the approved leave.
OTHER SUPPORT PERSONNEL
Applicants shall be selected for support positions based on criteria as may be determined by the School Board. Unless specifically covered by a written employment contract expressly entered into by the individual employee and the Board, school employees shall be hired on an at-will employment basis, which means they are subject to dismissal by the Board upon the written recommendation of the Superintendent. School employee shall mean any employee of the Board that is not required to hold a valid teacher's certificate as a condition of employment or is not a bus driver. All appointments shall be temporary until ability to perform assigned tasks has been determined.
DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION BY APPLICANT
Prior to hiring any employee, the School Board shall request the applicant to sign a statement that requests and authorizes the release and disclosure of information by the applicant's current or previous employer, if such employer is a city, parish, or other local public school board, relative to all instances of sexual misconduct with students as defined by BESE regulations, as committed by the applicant, if any. The statement shall also request the current or previous employing School Board make available to the School Board, within twenty (20) business days of receipt of the request, copies of all documents as contained in the applicant's personnel file maintained by such employer relative to instances of sexual misconduct, if any. Such request for information shall include a copy of the required statement signed by the applicant.
The School Board may employ any applicant on a conditional basis pending the Board's review of any information obtained pursuant to this request. However, in accordance with statutory provisions, the School Board shall not hire any applicant who does not sign the statement as required by law.
Any information obtained by the School Board as a result of the statement and request outlined above shall be used by the Board only for the purpose of evaluating an applicant's qualifications for employment in the position for which he/she has applied.
In addition to the above, the applicant shall grant permission by signing a statement on the application form that permits the School Board to have access to any and all reference, background, and previous employment information and to receive copies of any such documentation from a current or previous employer.
CRIMINAL HISTORY OF APPLICANTS
The Vernon Parish School Board shall require, in accordance with state law, applicants for employment with the School Board to submit necessary information regarding their backgrounds. A prospective employee shall be required to provide authorization for the disclosure of any information regarding past criminal activities, including arrests for, convictions of, or having pled nolo contendere to any criminal offense.
A standard applicant fingerprint card acceptable to the Louisiana Bureau of Criminal Identification and Information and a disclosure authorization form shall be provided the applicant by the School Board or may be obtained from local police authorities. It shall be the responsibility of the applicant to have his/her fingerprints taken by a qualified individual and submitted to the proper authorities for processing. Applicants shall be required to pay ½ the costs associated with fingerprinting or the disclosure of background information at the time of application.
1. No person who has been convicted of or has plead nolo contendere to crimes listed in La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §15:587.1 shall be hired as a teacher, substitute teacher, bus driver, substitute bus driver, or janitor, or as a temporary, part-time, or permanent school employee of any kind, unless approved in writing by a district judge and the district attorney with jurisdiction in this parish, or if employed on an emergency basis, unless approved in writing by the Superintendent. Any such statement of approval shall be kept on file at all times at the location wherein the employee is assigned and shall be produced upon request by any law enforcement officer.
2. For the purposes of reviewing the criminal history of prospective employees, any person employed to provide cafeteria, transportation, janitorial or maintenance services by any person or entity that contracts with a school or school system to provide such services shall be considered to be hired by the school system.
3. Every such prospective employee shall be subjected to fingerprinting and each person's fingerprints shall be submitted to the proper authorities for a criminal history review.
4. A person who has submitted his/her fingerprints may be temporarily hired pending the results of the inquiry.
5. Upon the final conviction or upon a plea of nolo contendere of any crimes enumerated in La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §15:587.1, except La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §14:74 (criminal neglect of family), any teacher may be dismissed following a hearing held in accordance with statutory provision.
6. Any other school employee if such employee is convicted of or pleads nolo contendere to crimes enumerated in La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §15:587.1, except La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §14:74, may be dismissed.
7. A teacher or any other School Board employee shall report any final conviction or plea of guilty or nolo contendere to a crime enumerated in La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §15:587.1, except La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §14:74 any criminal offense to the School Board within forty-eight hours of conviction or plea.
8. The Board may reemploy a teacher or other school employee who has been convicted of crimes enumerated in La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §15:587.1, except La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §14:74, only upon written approval of a district judge and the district attorney who has jurisdiction in this school district, or upon written documentation from the court in which the conviction occurred stating that the conviction had been reversed, set aside, or vacated.
Revised: December, 1992 Revised: August, 2005
Revised: June, 1998 Revised: September, 2005
Revised: October, 2001 Revised: September, 2006
Revised: August, 2002 Revised: September, 2008
Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§11:710, 15:587, 15:587.1, 17:15, 17:81, 17:81.9, 17:493.1, 23:897; Board minutes, 8-4-05, 9-6-05, 10-10-06.
EMPLOYEE CONDUCT
The Vernon Parish School Board believes the teaching profession occupies a position of public trust involving not only the individual teacher's personal conduct, but also the interaction of the school and the community. Education is most effective when these many relationships operate in a friendly, cooperative, and constructive manner. A teacher's conduct, as well as the conduct of all employees throughout the school district, should meet acceptable standards of the community and show respect for the law and the rights of others.
All employees, volunteers, student teachers, interns, and any other person affiliated with the Vernon Parish School Board have the responsibility to be familiar with and abide by the laws of the state, the policies and decisions of the School Board, and the administrative regulations and procedures designed to implement Board policies. Employees and others shall also comply with the standards of conduct set out in this policy and with any other policies, regulations, procedures, or guidelines that impose duties, requirements, or standards of conduct attendant to their status as School Board employees.
Employees and all others shall be expected to observe at least the following standards of conduct:
! Be courteous to students, one another, and the public and conduct themselves in a professional and ethical manner.
! Recognize and respect the rights and property of students, other employees, and the public.
! Maintain confidentiality of all matters relating to students and other employees.
! Demonstrate dependable attendance and punctuality with regard to assigned activities and work schedules.
! Observe and adhere to all terms of an employee's contract or job description.
! Strive to keep current and knowledgeable about the employee's area of responsibility.
! Refrain from promoting personal attitudes and opinions for matters other than general discussion.
! Refrain from using undue influence to gain, or attempt to gain, promotion, leave, favorable assignments, or other individual benefit or advantage.
! Advocate positive personal behavior on or off campus and attempt to avoid improprieties or the appearance of improprieties.
While the operation of the School Board and its schools is governed by the provisions of this and all other Board policies, regulations, and procedures, as well as procedures of the individual schools, no policy manual can list each and every instance of misconduct that is precluded. Accordingly, employees are cautioned that the appropriateness of certain action or behavior must necessarily be dictated by the nature of the position held by the employee and standards of common sense. By virtue of one's education and experience, an employee knows and understands that certain actions or conducts are unacceptable even in the absence of formal Board policy. For instance, without the need of a specific prohibition or warning, a classroom teacher should be aware of the impropriety of certain practices such as leaving students unattended, using profanity or sexually suggestive language, or bringing a firearm onto campus. Such conduct constitutes both incompetence and willful neglect of duty. Such conduct, as well as violation of any state or federal law or Board policies, regulations, or procedures, or school regulations or procedures, shall result in the imposition of discipline up to and including termination.
PROHIBITED SEXUAL CONDUCT
Employees shall be prohibited from engaging in any form of sexual conduct with students. In particular, it is a violation of criminal statutes for any educator, which includes any administrator, coach, instructor, teacher, paraprofessional, teacher aide, or student aide, to engage in sexual conduct, as defined in La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §14:81.4 with a student who is seventeen (17) years of age or older, but less than nineteen (19) years of age.
Notwithstanding any claim of privileged communication, any educator, having cause to believe that prohibited sexual conduct has occurred between another educator and a student, shall be required by state law to immediately report such conduct to a local or state law enforcement agency.
NOTIFICATION BY EMPLOYEES
Teachers and/or any other School Board employee shall be required, in accordance with state and federal statutory provisions, to notify the Board upon conviction of certain crimes.
A. A teacher or any other School Board employee shall report any final conviction or plea of guilty or nolo contendere to a crime enumerated in La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §15:587.1, except La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §14:74, any criminal offense to the School Board within forty-eight (48) hours of conviction or plea.
B. A teacher or any other School Board employee shall notify the School Board of any criminal drug statute conviction for a violation occurring in the workplace no later than five (5) days after such conviction.
Revised: September, 2006
Revised: November, 2007
Revised: September, 2008
Ref: 41 USC 702 (Drug-Free Workplace); La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§14:81.4, 17:15, 17:81; Sylvester v. Cancienne, 95-0789 (La. App. 1st Cir. 11/9/95), 664 So.2d 1259; Howard v. West Baton Rouge Parish School Board, 2000-3234 (La. 6/29/01), 793 So.2d 153; Spurlock v. East Feliciana Parish School Board, 03-1879 (La. App. 1st Cir. 6/25/04), 885 So.2d 1225; Board minutes, 10-10-06, 12-6-07.
SICK LEAVE
The Vernon Parish School Board shall grant all employees hired for the school year or longer a minimum of ten (10) days absence per year because of personal illness or other emergencies without loss of pay.
Such Sick leave, when not used, shall be allowed to accumulate to the credit of the employee without limitation. However, upon initial employment, a teacher employed by the Board shall not be allowed any sick leave until he or she reports for duty and actually performs work.
The minimum of ten (10) days of sick leave for an employee shall be based on the employee beginning work at the beginning of the school year. In the case of an employee beginning work in the first month of the school year, ten days sick leave shall be allowed. If an employee begins work in the second month of the school year, nine days of sick leave shall be allowed. If an employee begins work in the third month of the school year, eight days of sick leave shall be allowed; if an employee begins work in the fourth month of the school year, seven days of sick leave shall be allowed; and the number of days of sick leave shall continue to be prorated for an employee who begins work until the eighth month of the school year, when only three days of sick leave shall be allowed. The Superintendent and/or his/her designee shall be responsible for developing and maintaining pertinent regulations and procedures governing sick leave.
Any employee who is absent for six (6) or more consecutive days shall be required to present a certificate from a physician certifying such absence upon return to work. In the case of repeated absences of less than six days because of illness, the Board reserves the right to require verification of illness. Should a pattern of behavior so warrant, upon the request of the Superintendent or his/her designee, the employee shall be required, at the expense of the school system, to provide a certificate from a physician specified by the school system, in order to verify the existence of a medical disability.
Excuses for employee absences due to illness or injury must be provided on physician's letterhead containing the physician's name, address, and telephone number, typed, printed or as part of the letterhead. The physician's typed or neatly printed name shall also appear beneath his/her signature. The letter must clearly state the reason for the disability, date of the disability, and the anticipated return-to-work date.
Upon the retirement of any teacher, bus operator, or school employee, or upon the employee entering DROP (see section below), or upon the teacher's, bus operator's, or school employee's death prior to retirement, the School Board shall pay the teacher, bus operator, or school employee or his/her heirs or assigns, for any unused sick leave, not to exceed twenty-five (25) days. Such pay shall be at the daily rate of pay paid to the employee at the time of his/her retirement or death.
If an employee is absent from duty under circumstances in which he/she is not entitled to any kind of leave, such employee shall be considered to be in violation of his/her contract, and is not entitled to be paid for the days of unauthorized absence and non-performance of duties.
SICK LEAVE FOR EMERGENCIES
Emergency for sick leave purposes shall be defined as a sudden or unexpected occurrence or combination of occurrences demanding prompt action on the part of the teacher/employee requesting leave, which, if the said person fails to act promptly is likely to cause significant harm, detriment or injury to said person or to a member of his/her immediate family. This definition precludes absence in any case for which the need for action can be foreseen and planned for, or in which action can be taken by some other person, or in which the claimed emergency is not truly substantial.
EXTENDED SICK LEAVE
The Board shall permit each teacher and bus driver employees to take up to ninety (90) days of extended sick leave in each six-year period of employment which may be used for personal illness or illness of an immediate family member at any time the teacher or bus driver employee has no remaining regular sick leave balance at the time the extended sick leave is set to begin. The initial six-year period of employment shall begin on August 15, 1999 for all teachers and bus drivers employed as of that date, on August 15, 2008 for school employees (not a teacher, or whose employment does not require a teacher's certificate or who is not employed as a bus driver) employed as of that date, or on the effective date of employment for those employees employed after the dates above. Immediate family member means a spouse, parent, or child of the teacher or bus driver employee.
Unused days during any six-year period of employment shall not cumulate or carry forward into the next six-year period of employment. The balance of days of extended sick leave available shall transfer with the teacher or bus driver employee from one public school employer to another without loss or restoration of days.
Interruptions of service between periods of employment with a public school employer shall not be included in any calculation of a six-year period, such that any employment with any public school employer, regardless of when it occurs, shall be included in any determination of the balance of days of extended sick leave available to the teacher or bus driver employee.
Any teacher or bus driver employee on extended sick leave shall be paid sixty-five percent (65%) of the salary paid the teacher or bus driver employee at the time the extended sick leave begins. Except for extenuating circumstances, a doctor's certificate shall be presented upon return to work.
Gainful Employment Permitted
An teacher or bus driver employee may undertake additional gainful employment while on extended sick leave, provided all of the following conditions are met:
1. The teacher or bus driver employee can demonstrate that he/she will be working not more than twenty (20) hours a week in a part-time job that the teacher or bus driver employee has been working for not less than one hundred twenty (120) days prior to the beginning of any period of extended sick leave.
2. The physician who certifies the medical necessity of the leave indicates that such part-time work does not impair the purpose for which the extended sick leave is required.
Any violation of the provisions regarding gainful employment may require the teacher or bus driver employee to return to the Board all compensation paid during any week of extended sick leave in which the teacher or bus driver employee worked more than twenty (20) hours and to reimburse the Board all related employment costs attributable to such period as calculated by the Board, without any restoration of leave days.
Application Process
On every occasion when an teacher or bus driver employee uses extended sick leave, a statement from a licensed physician certifying that the leave is medically necessary for the teacher or bus driver employee or that the immediate family member's illness is serious and requires the presence of the teacher or bus driver employee shall be presented prior to extended sick leave being taken, whenever possible.
If the period an employee is on extended sick leave is anticipated to carry over from one school year to the start of the next school year, another application and physician's statement must be submitted prior to the start of the next school year in order to be eligible for extended sick leave.
1) If the Board, upon review of the application, questions the validity or accuracy of the certification, the Board may require the teacher or bus driver employee, or the immediate family member, as a condition for continued extended sick leave, to be examined by a licensed physician selected by the Board. In such case the Board shall pay all costs of the examination and any tests determined to be necessary. If the physician selected by the Board finds medical necessity, the leave shall be granted.
2) If the Board selected physician disagrees with the original medical certification from the physician selected by the employee, then the employer Board may require the teacher or bus driver employee, or immediate family member, as a condition for continued extension of sick leave, to be examined by a third licensed physician, whose name appears next in the rotation of physicians on a list established by the local medical society and maintained by the Board. All costs of an examination and any required tests by a third doctor shall be paid by the Board. The final determination of medical necessity shall be based on the opinion of the third physician shall decide the issue.
3) The opinion of all physicians consulted in determining medical necessity of the extended sick leave shall be submitted to the Board in the form of a sworn statement. All information contained in any statement from a physician shall be confidential and shall not be subject to the public records law.
The required physician's statement may be presented along with the request for extended sick leave after subsequent to the teacher or bus driver employee's return to service. In such a case, the extended sick leave shall be granted for all days for which extended sick leave is requested, provided the request and required documentation is presented within three (3) days after the teacher employee returns to service. The School Board, however, reserves the right to question the validity of the medical certification after the three day period.
School Employees
Extended sick leave provisions as enumerated above for teachers and bus drivers shall also be applicable to school employees, except for the following:
1. The transference of any unused extended sick leave by a school employee from one public employer to another is not permitted by state law.
2. For school employees, provisions regarding interruptions of service between periods of employment shall only be applicable for employment with the Vernon Parish School Board.
SICK LEAVE FOR ASSAULT OR BATTERY
Any employee of the public schools who is injured and disabled while acting in his/her official capacity as a result of an assault or battery by any student or person shall receive sick leave without reduction in pay, and without reduction in accrued sick leave days while disabled as a result of such assault and battery. The employee shall be required to provide a certificate from a physician certifying such injury and incapacitation. The sick leave authorized shall be in addition to all other sick leave authorized herein, shall not be accumulated from year to year, nor shall such additional sick leave be compensated for at death or retirement, or compensated for in any manner except as set forth above.
SICK LEAVE FOR PHYSICAL CONTACT WITH A STUDENT
Any teacher who is injured or disabled while acting in his/her official capacity as a result of physical contact with a student while providing physical assistance to a student to prevent danger or risk of injury to the student, shall receive sick leave for a period of up to one (1) calendar year without reduction in pay and without reduction in accrued sick leave days while injured or disabled as a result of rendering such assistance. Any school employee, but not a bus operator, injured or disabled in a similar manner shall receive up to ninety (90) days of such sick leave. The teacher or employee shall be required to present a certificate from a physician certifying such injury or disability. The Board may extend the period of sick leave beyond the allowable period at its discretion.
If the School Board questions the validity or accuracy of the physician's certification submitted by a teacher, the School Board may require the teacher to be examined by a licensed physician selected by the Board. Any further review of medical certification shall proceed in the same manner as requests for extended sick leave, which is outlined under Application Process above. The Board shall pay all costs of any examinations and tests determined to be necessary.
SICK LEAVE/WORKERS' COMPENSATION
Should any teacher become injured or disabled while acting in his/her official capacity, other than by assault, the teacher shall be entitled to appropriate worker's compensation benefits and/or sick leave benefits, at the teacher's option, for the period of time while injured or disabled. Any benefits received, however, shall not exceed the total amount of the regular salary the teacher was receiving at the time of injury or disability. The teacher shall be required to present a certificate from a physician certifying such injury or incapacitation.
VESTING OF SICK LEAVE
All sick leave accumulated by a teacher or school employee, but not a bus operator, shall be vested in the teacher or school employee by whom such leave has been accumulated. In the event of the transfer of a teacher or school employee from one school system to another in Louisiana, or upon the return of such teacher or school employee to the same school system within five (5) years or such longer period that may be approved by the Board to which the teacher or school employee returned, regardless of the dates on which the leave was accumulated or the date of transfer or return of the teacher or school employee, such vested leave which remains unused or for which the employee has not been compensated directly or transferred such days for retirement credit, shall be transferred, returned to, or continued by the Board and shall be retained to the credit of the teacher or school employee.
DONATION OF SICK LEAVE
Sick leave is considered a personal benefit to each employee. Therefore, sick leave may be transferred anonymously by an employee of the Vernon Parish School System to another employee of the Vernon Parish School System using the following guidelines:
1. The employee or an immediate family member (spouse, parent, child) receiving the leave days has a verified serious illness. An exhausted sick leave balance by itself is not sufficient justification for approval of sick leave donation. A determination, if needed, shall be made by a committee of three (3) appointed by the Superintendent.
2. The employee understands that this is a gift to a fellow employee and that under no circumstance is the receiving employee or the Vernon Parish School Board obligated to return these days.
3. Any transferred leave shall not be used to obtain severance pay from the Vernon Parish School Board.
4. Sick leave transfer forms may be picked up at each worksite from the designated person and mailed to the School Board office.
5. Sick leave transfer forms and information shall remain anonymous except to the donor of the leave day(s) and the designated supervisor handling these records. The employee receiving the sick leave days shall not be told any details of the donation.
6. An employee wishing to transfer/donate sick leave days shall be limited to a maximum of three (3) days donation per fiscal year (July 1 to June 30). These days may be in any combination of days or recipient(s).
CATASTROPHIC AND LONG-TERM ILLNESS
The Board shall permit each employee upon the expiration of their extended sick leave, the following options for Catastrophic and Long-Term Illnesses:
1. Donation of "sick leave" from another employee;
2. Disability insurance at the employee's expense;
3. Leave without pay for up to one year. (To include family and medical leave, if applicable)
DEFERRED RETIREMENT OPTION PROGRAM (DROP)
Any employee of the Vernon Parish School Board who participates in the Deferred Retirement Option Program (DROP) shall be eligible for and may elect to receive on a one-time basis severance pay (accrued sick leave up to a maximum of twenty-five (25) days) upon entering DROP on the same basis as any other employee who retires or otherwise leaves employment; otherwise, any accrued sick leave shall be paid only upon final retirement of the employee.
Revised: December, 1991
Revised: December, 1992
Revised: December, 1995
Revised: June, 1998
Revised: April, 1999
Revised: August, 1999
Revised: October, 1999
Revised: August, 2001
Revised: September, 2004
Revised: September, 2008
Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§14:125, 17:425, 17:425.1, 17:500, 17:500.1, 17:1200, 17:1201, 17:1202, 17:1205, 17:1206, 17:1206.1, 17:1206.2; Board minutes, 4-7-98, 4-13-99, 9-7-99, 10-12-04.
PARENT CONFERENCES
The Vernon Parish School Board encourages parent conferences at any reasonable time concerning the needs and progress of a student. It is essential that an objective overview of strengths and weaknesses be discussed with the parent(s) along with samples of the student's work, if possible. Parents are encouraged to discuss with the teacher any questions or problems which might affect the child's performance.
Parent conferences shall be scheduled at times when teachers are not engaged in classroom instruction, whenever possible.
The Vernon Parish School Board realizes that close communication between home and school is an important factor in establishing a highly effective school program. Planned conferences between parents and teachers are an important way to bring about understanding and close cooperation between the home and school. Close communication should be maintained through conferences with all parents, not just with those where academic or other problems suggest the need for closer communication.
Conferences between parents and teachers regarding a child should be treated by the teacher as an opportunity to help the child and every effort should be made to make the conference constructive, objective, and pleasant. Conferences should provide an opportunity for a mutual exchange of information and ideas for the welfare of the child.
Occasionally parents will call on a teacher during the time the teacher has responsibilities for class instruction. Although the purpose of such a visit may be worthy, teachers should discourage the practice and suggest that the parent arrange for a conference outside of regular school time. Teachers should be prepared to give after-school or preÂschool time for conferences when desirable. Teachers shall be expected to request additional conferences with parents as the needs may indicate.
The principal or supervisor should be present at any parent-teacher conference when there is reason to anticipate an atmosphere of hostility.
REQUIRED PARENT CONFERENCES
Parents may be required to attend a conference with their student's teacher/ principal/guidance counselor under the following circumstances:
1. When a pupil is removed from a classroom by the teacher, the teacher may require that the parent, tutor, or legal guardian of the pupil have a conference with the teacher in the presence of the principal or his/her designee before the pupil is readmitted to the classroom.
2. Upon the third removal from the same classroom during the school year, a conference between the teacher or other appropriate school employee and the pupil's parent, tutor, or legal guardian shall be required prior to the pupil being readmitted to the classroom.
In any case where a teacher, principal, or other school employee requires the parent, tutor, or legal guardian of a pupil under eighteen (18) to attend a conference or meeting regarding the pupil's behavior, and, after notice, the parent, tutor, or legal guardian willfully refuses to attend, the principal or designee shall file a complaint with a court exercising juvenile jurisdiction.
3. Subsequent to the suspension or recommendation for expulsion of a student, a conference shall be scheduled with the student's parent, tutor, or legal guardian and the principal, as a requirement for readmitting the student to school. Notification of the conference shall be by telephone, or in certain cases, by certified letter. Such conference shall be held within five (5) school days of mailing the certified letter or other contact. On not more than one occasion each school year when the parent, tutor, or legal guardian refuses to respond, the principal may determine whether readmitting the pupil is in the best interest of the student. On any subsequent occasions in the same school year, the pupil shall not be readmitted unless the parent, tutor, legal guardian, court, or other appointed representative responds.
4. When a pupil is suspended a second time within one school year, the principal may require that a counseling session be held with the parent, pupil, and the school counselor. If no counselor is available, the principal may require a conference between the parent, pupil and all the pupil's teachers and the principal or other administrator.
5. Upon a student's third unexcused absence or unexcused tardy, the principal or his/her designee shall notify the parent or legal guardian in writing and shall hold a conference with the parent or legal guardian. The parent or legal guardian shall sign a receipt acknowledging notification. Tardy, for the purposes of this enumerated item, shall be as defined in La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §17:233.
Revised: September, 2008
Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§17:233, 17:416; La. Children's Code, '730, '731.
ATTENDANCE
The Vernon Parish School Board believes regular attendance in school accompanied by the responsibility to study and participate in school activities is essential to the learning process. In accordance with state law, it is the responsibility of every parent, tutor, or legal guardian of a child between the ages of seven (7) and eighteen (18) to enforce the attendance of his or her child at the school to which the student is assigned. Once a pupil arrives at school, he/she is expected to remain and attend each class throughout the day.
Elementary and secondary students shall be present the minimum number of days as required by the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education and enumerated in the Louisiana Handbook for School Administrators, Bulletin 741, to receive credit for courses taken. Exception can be made only in the event of extended personal illness verified by a physician's, dentist's, or nurse practitioner's statement or if other extenuating circumstances exist and are approved by the Supervisor of Child Welfare and Attendance in consultation with the school principal. Exception may also be made for schools operating on other than the traditional one hundred eighty-two (182) day school calendar. Currently, the state's attendance policies require elementary students to be in attendance at least one hundred sixty (160) days per school year and high school students to be in attendance eighty-one (81) days or the equivalent per semester, or one hundred sixty-two (162) days a school year for schools not operating on a semester basis, in order to be eligible to receive credit for courses taken.
Students in danger of failing due to excessive absences may be allowed to make up missed time in class sessions held outside the regular class time. The make-up sessions must be completed before the end of the current semester and all other applicable policies must also be met.
When a child has been absent from school for three (3) consecutive school days or in excess a total of five (5) nonconsecutive days five (5) school days in schools operating on a semester basis, and for ten (10) days in schools not operating on a semester basis, the school shall attempt to provide verbal notification and, if such verbal notification cannot be provided, then shall provide written notification to a child's parent, tutor, or legal guardian. Likewise, the principal or his/her designee shall notify the parent or legal guardian in writing upon the student's third unexcused absence or unexcused tardy. The parent/legal guardian shall sign a receipt for the notification. Tardy, for the purpose of notification, shall include, but not be limited to being late to school, or leaving or checking out of school unexcused prior to the regularly scheduled dismissal time at the end of the school day. However, it shall not include reporting late to class when transferring from one class to another during the school day.
All students shall be under the jurisdiction of the school during normal school hours, from the time the student arrives at school each day until he or she leaves the school campus in the afternoon. In case a student rides a bus, he or she shall be under the jurisdiction of the school from the time he or she boards the bus until the student exits the bus in the afternoon. Students shall be under the jurisdiction of the school while attending any school sponsored activity either at school or away from school. This shall apply to all students, including athletic teams, pep clubs, band and other student organizations. In disciplinary matters, the Board's authority may extend beyond the limits set forth above, in accordance with state law.
Revised: December, 1991 Revised: April, 2008
Revised: January, 1996 Revised: September, 2008
Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§17:221, 17:226, 17:227, 17:233; Louisiana Handbook for School Administrators, Bulletin 741, Louisiana Department of Education; Board minutes, 6-5-08.
STUDENT ASSIGNMENT
ATTENDANCE ZONE REQUIREMENTS
The Vernon Parish School Board shall have authority and responsibility for the assignment, placement, transfer, and continued education of all students attending schools within its jurisdiction. The School Board shall require a student to attend the appropriate school as determined by the residence (domicile) of the student or the parent, legal guardian, or provisional custodian or if he/she is eighteen years old or has been emancipated by a court order, by the student's own domicile. However, the Board reserves the authority and responsibility to assign and/or transfer a student to any of the public schools within its jurisdiction, if circumstances warrant. The parent or legal guardian of a pupil may file in writing to the Board an objection to the assignment of the pupil, in which case the Board shall review the assignment and investigate the circumstances in order to render a decision.
The School Board, by statute, shall be required to assign a student to attend any public school requested by a parent or other legally responsible person when the requested school has space available and is of suitable grade level, and the child resides not more than one (1) mile from such school. Such assignment shall be made if not specifically contrary to the provisions of law, rule, regulation, or an order of a court of competent jurisdiction. Assignment shall also be made without regard to parish boundaries.
Legal custody is defined as the legal status created by a court order which establishes in a custodian the right to have physical custody of the child or minor. Legal custody shall also include cases where provisional custody of a minor student has been granted to a person of legal age by the child's parents, or the natural tutor, in the event of separation or divorce. Provisional custody shall be verified by submitting a properly executed and notarized form attesting to the granting of provisional custody. The school principal or designee shall be responsible for monitoring the school enrollment list and shall immediately terminate and/or transfer an unauthorized student.
VERIFICATION OF RESIDENCE
The School Board shall require verification of residence of those students whose residence is suspected to be outside the attendance zone of the school the student is attending. When investigating the residence of a student, the School Board shall attempt to verify the primary place of residence of the legal parent or legal or provisional guardian. Such verification of residence shall be based on such items as the following:
1. Voter registration card of parent or custodian, or
2. Property tax statement of parent or custodian showing homestead exemption, or
3. Certified copy of any judicially ordered tutorship, custody or guardianship of any minor child student not domiciled or in the custody of their natural and/or legal parents. Verification of the physical residency of the legal custodian, tutor/tutrix or nonparent shall also be required, or
4. Any other documentation as may be stipulated by the Board.
SPECIAL EDUCATION ASSIGNMENTS
Any student who enrolls in a Vernon Parish school having sufficient records (i.e., current IEP and/or evaluation), indicating prior Special Education placement, can be placed on an interim basis after review by Pupil Appraisal office. Interim placements can only be made by the pupil appraisal personnel assigned to the particular school where the student is attending.
Upon arrival of a new student presenting sufficient documentation (i.e., IEP and/or evaluation), the counselor will notify the school coordinator and schedule a conference with the parent(s), receiving teacher, Pupil Appraisal School Coordinator and counselor. This process must be completed before the child can be enrolled.
CLASSROOM ASSIGNMENT
Generally, student assignments in K through 8 will be made by the principal of the school. However, in some cases schools may be structured so that students in higher grades may select classes and courses of study. The placement of a student shall be based on grades, achievement test scores, and participation in special programs.
Selection of classes and courses of study in grades 9 through 12 shall be uniformly made by individual students. Assistance in planning course of study and selection of classes shall be provided by teachers, counselors, and administrators. Each student shall be furnished a schedule of classes offered and requirements for graduation. Some classes may have prerequisites for enrollment.
In grades kindergarten through second grade, the parent of twins, triplets, etc. (more than one child at a single birth event) may request that their children be placed initially in the same, or separate, classrooms, if the children are in the same grade at the same school. Such a request shall be presented to the Superintendent or his/her designee no later than fourteen (14) days either after the first day of the school year or after the first day of attendance if the child enrolls after the fourteenth day of the school year. Notwithstanding any law, rule, regulation, or School Board policy to the contrary, the request of the parent for initial placement shall be granted subject to further review.
As soon as possible after the end of the student's first grading period, the Superintendent or his/her designee shall review the initial placement of the child. If the Superintendent or his/her designee, in consultation with the school principal, the child's(ren's) teacher(s), and the parent, determines that the initial placement of the children is disruptive to the school or is not in the best educational interests of the child(ren), the initial placement of the child shall be modified, and the child(ren) shall be placed in accordance with School Board policy otherwise applicable to the child(ren).
Revised: December, 1992
Revised: November, 1993
Revised: September, 2008
STUDENT ABSENCES AND EXCUSES
The Vernon Parish School Board recognizes that the fundamental right to attend the public schools places upon students the accompanying responsibility to be faithful in attendance. Regular attendance can be assumed to be essential for a student's successful progress in the instructional program. A student is considered to be in attendance when he or she (1) is physically present at a school site or is participating in an authorized school activity and (2) is under the supervision of authorized personnel.
This definition for attendance would extend to students who are homebound, assigned to and participating in drug rehabilitation programs that contain a state-approved education component, or participating in school-authorized field trips or other school-approved activities.
⬢ Half-day attendance - A student is considered to be in attendance for one-half day when he or she (1) is physically present at a school site or is participating in an authorized school activity and (2) is under the supervision of authorized personnel for more than 25% but not more than half (26%-50%) of the student's instructional day.
⬢ Whole-day attendance - A student is considered to be in attendance for a whole day when he or she (1) is physically present at a school site or is participating in an authorized school activity and (2) is under the supervision of authorized personnel for more than 50% (51%-100%) of the student's instructional day.
Compulsory attendance laws and Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) regulations require elementary students to be present a minimum of one hundred sixty (160) days to be eligible to receive credit for courses taken. Secondary students shall be required to be present a minimum of eighty-one (81) days or the equivalent, per semester, or one hundred sixty-two (162) days a school year for schools not operating on a semester basis, in order to be eligible to receive credit for courses taken. All absences, whether excused or unexcused shall be counted as absences for attendance reporting purposes.
Each school shall attempt to provide verbal notification to a child's parent, tutor, or legal guardian, and, if such verbal notification cannot be provided, then the school shall provide written notification to a child's parent, tutor, or legal guardian when that child has been absent from school for five (5) school days in schools operating on a semester basis, and for ten (10) days in schools not operating on a semester basis. The accumulation of days absent need not be consecutive.
No public elementary or secondary school pupil shall be permitted for any reason to absent himself/herself from school attendance during the school day upon his/her own authority, unless legally emancipated. The principal or designee shall make all reasonable efforts to verbally notify the parent or other person responsible for the pupil's school attendance of any such prohibited absence by a pupil.
The days absent for elementary and secondary school students shall include temporarily excused absences, unexcused absences, and suspensions.
1. Temporarily Excused Absences
Students shall be considered temporarily excused from school for personal illness, serious illness in the family, death in the family (not to exceed one week), or for recognized religious holidays of the student's own faith and shall be given the opportunity to make up work provided that in each instance parental confirmation has been received, giving the reason for the absence. Written evidence from church authorities relative to requiring religious observances may also be required.
2. Unexcused Absences
Students shall not be excused for any absence other than those listed under temporarily excused absences above, and shall be given failing grades in those subjects for those days missed, and shall not be given an opportunity to make up work.
Students shall not be excused from school to work on any job including agriculture and domestic service, even in their own homes or for their own parents or tutors, unless it is part of an approved instructional program.
3. Absences Due to Suspensions
Students missing school as result of any out-of-school suspension shall be counted as absent, shall be given failing grades for those days suspended, provided a graded activity was conducted during the suspension, and shall not be given an opportunity to make up work missed during the suspension.
EXTENUATING CIRCUMSTANCES
Only the following shall be considered extenuating circumstances under which absences shall be exempt from provisions of compulsory attendance laws as verified by the Supervisor of Child Welfare and Attendance:
1. Extended personal physical or emotional illness as verified by a physician or nurse practitioner
2. Extended hospital stay as verified by a physician or dentist
3. Extended recuperation from an accident as verified by a physician, dentist, or nurse practitioner
4. Extended contagious disease within a family as verified by a physician or dentist
5. Observance of special and recognized holidays of the student's own faith
The only other exceptions to the attendance regulations shall be other absences as verified by the principal or his/her designee as stated below:
1. Prior school system-approved travel for education
2. Death in the family (not to exceed one week)
3. Natural catastrophe and/or disaster
For any other extenuating circumstances, the student's parents or legal guardian must make a formal appeal in accordance with the due process procedures established by the school system.
Students who are verified as meeting extenuating circumstances and therefore eligible to receive grades shall not receive those grades if they are unable to complete makeup work or pass the course.
EXCUSES
For a student to be eligible to receive credit and make up work following an absence, the student shall be required in each instance to submit parental confirmation of the reasons for the absence. If a student is tardy or absent, the parent or guardian must submit a written excuse, signed and dated, to school authorities upon the student's return to classes, stating the reason for the student's absence from school. A doctor's, dentist's, or nurse practitioner's written statement of student's incapacity to attend school is acceptable. All excuses for a student's absence, including medical verification of extended personal illness, must be presented within five (5) school days of the student's return to school, or the student's absence shall be considered unexcused and the student not allowed to make up work missed.
REPORTING ABSENCES
The attendance of all school pupils shall be checked each school day and at the beginning of each class period and shall be verified by the teacher keeping such record, which shall be open to inspection by the Supervisor of Child Welfare and Attendance or duly authorized representative at all reasonable times. All schools shall immediately report to the Supervisor of Child Welfare and Attendance any unexplained, unexcused, or illegal absence, or habitual tardiness.
The Supervisor of Child Welfare and Attendance shall, after written notice to the parent or tutor legal guardian of a child, or a personal visit of notification, report any such child as who is habitually absents himself from school or as who is habitually tardy to the family or juvenile court judge of the parish as a delinquent truant child, there to be dealt with in such manner as the court may determine.
APPEAL OF ABSENCES
When a student exceeds the maximum number of absences allowed, including excused and unexcused absences, the parents or student may make a formal appeal to the principal if they feel any of the absences are because of extenuating circumstances. If they feel that the decision is unfavorable, they shall appeal to the Superintendent or his/her designee. After a review by the Superintendent or his/her designee, a decision shall be made and communicated to the parents or legal guardian by letter.
Students in danger of failing due to excessive absences may be allowed to make up missed time in class sessions held outside the regular class time. The make-up sessions must be completed before the end of the current semester and all other applicable policies must also be met.
TARDINESS
A student shall be considered tardy to class if the student is not in the classroom when the bell to begin class ceases. A student shall be considered tardy to school if the student is not in his/her homeroom/first period class when the bell to begin homeroom/class ceases. Tardy shall also mean leaving or checking out of school unexcused prior to the regularly scheduled dismissal. Tardiness on the part of students shall not be tolerated.
Students who are tardy for class exhibit tardiness shall be subject to disciplinary action, appropriate under the circumstances. Parents of students who continue to be tardy late for class after appropriate disciplinary action shall be notified for a conference with the principal, and the student may be subject to suspension from school and the parent/legal guardian subject to court fines or community service. All regulations concerning tardiness of students shall be strictly followed, unless the principal determines otherwise.
Revised: December, 1995 Revised: September, 2008
Revised: April, 2008
Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§17:221, 17:226, 17:230, 17:232, 17:233; Louisiana Handbook for School Administrators, Bulletin 741, Louisiana Department of Education; Board minutes, 6-5-08.
Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§9:951, 9:952, 9:953, 9:954, 13:1569, 17:81, 17:101, 17:104, 17:104.1, 17:221.2, 17:221.4; Board minutes, 8-6-85.
TRUANCY
The Vernon Parish School Board recognizes truancy as absence from class or school for any portion of a period or day without permission from home or school. Students shall not be allowed to leave the campus without proper permission at any time during the school day, including before school begins, after school while waiting for their bus, or any disciplinary session which the student has been directed to attend. Students shall remain on the campus at all times unless granted permission to be off-campus, or be subject to disciplinary action. Violations of attendance laws and regulations may lead to suspension and/or expulsion from school.
School personnel shall be expected to make every reasonable effort to assist a child who is habitually absent from or tardy to school or class. A student shall be considered habitually absent or habitually tardy when either condition continues to exist after all reasonable efforts by the principal and teacher any school personnel, truant officer, or other law enforcement personnel have failed to correct the condition after the fifth (5th) unexcused absence or fifth (5th) unexcused occurrence of being tardy within any month or if a pattern of five (5) absences a month is established. The principal or designee, with the aid of the teachers, shall file a report of the school's efforts to effect regular attendance by the student with the Supervisor of Child Welfare and Attendance school semester. Any student who is a juvenile and who is considered habitually absent from school or habitually tardy shall be reported by visiting teachers and Supervisors of Child Welfare and Attendance to the family or juvenile court of the parish or city as a truant child.
Tardy, for the purpose of notification, shall include, but not be limited to being late to school, or leaving or checking out of school unexcused prior to the regularly scheduled dismissal time at the end of the school day. However, it shall not include reporting late to class when transferring from one class to another during the school day.
Revised: December, 1990
Revised: October, 1994
Revised: September, 2008
Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§17:221, 17:221.1, 17:223, 17:228, 17:233; Louisiana Children's Code, Art. 730.
STUDENT CONDUCT
The Vernon Parish School Board expects students to be well behaved while attending school or any school activity and conduct themselves in an appropriate manner at all times. Every teacher is authorized to hold every pupil to a strict accountability for any disorderly conduct in school or on the playgrounds of the school, on the street or road while going to or returning from school, or during intermission or recess.
Students have the responsibility to know and respect the rules of the school system. Students shall comply with all Board policies and school regulations, student codes of conduct, and directions of principals, teachers, and other authorized school personnel during any period of time when the student is under the authority of school personnel.
The Vernon Parish School Board shall demand reasonable student behavior and administer discipline with fundamental fairness without regard to gender, race, ethnic origin, religion or political belief. All students shall be afforded the basic rights of citizenship recognized and protected for persons of their age and maturity. Students shall exercise their rights and responsibilities in accordance with rules established for orderly conduct of the school's mission. Students who violate the rules of conduct shall be subject to disciplinary measures designed to correct the misconduct so that an environment conducive to learning can be maintained. Discipline policies shall be applicable at school, on the way to and from school, on a school bus, and at all school sponsored-events.
Moreover, the School Board reserves the authority to discipline students for behavior that may constitute a material disruption of the educational process such as audio, video, or other materials/information that may appear on the Internet or be transferred over electronic devices.
NOTICE
Students shall be informed by school authorities that violations of Board policy and school rules may result in a range of disciplinary actions including corporal punishment, suspension or expulsion. Copies of current School Board discipline policies shall be distributed to each school prior to the beginning of school each year. The Board, through its schools, shall provide each pupil and his/her parent, tutor, or legal guardian with a copy of the Board's current discipline policies, which shall include a Student Code of Conduct and a copy of the school's rules and regulations. Each school shall plan and conduct an orientation and other meetings and programs within the first week five (5) days of school each year necessary to fully inform all employees and pupils of all discipline policies, provisions of the student code of conduct applicable to such students, and school rules and regulations necessary for the safe and orderly operation of the public schools. The meetings/programs orientation shall also include information on the consequences of failure to comply with disciplinary rules and requirements of the student code of conduct, and consequences of violent acts committed on school property, at a school-sponsored function, or in a firearm-free zone, as well as the contents of the Teacher Bill of Rights. Meetings shall also be held throughout the school year as may be necessary to inform new employees and new students of such discipline policies, and regulations, contents of the student code of conduct, and pertinent school rules.
The orientation instruction shall be age appropriate and grade appropriate and take into consideration whether the student is in a regular or special education program.
Any student who does not receive the orientation during the first five (5) days of the school year shall be provided an orientation during the first five (5) days of the student's attendance.
STATEMENT OF COMPLIANCE
Each student in grades 4-12 and each parent or guardian of a student in grades 4-12, shall annually sign a Statement of Compliance. For students, the Statement of Compliance shall state that the student agrees to attend school regularly, arrive at school on time, demonstrate significant effort toward completion of homework assignments, and follow school and classroom rules. For parents, the Statement of Compliance shall state that the parent or legal guardian agrees to ensure his/her child's daily attendance at school, ensure his/her child's arrival at school on time each day, ensure his/her child completes all assigned homework, and attend all required parent/teacher/principal conferences. Failure by a student and/or parent or guardian to sign the respective Statement of Compliance may result in disciplinary action.
Revised: September, 2008
Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§17:223, 17:235.2, 17:416, 17:416.1, 17:416.8, 17:416.12, 17:416.20.
EXPULSION
The Vernon Parish School Board may expel a pupil from school if an offense committed by the pupil is serious enough to warrant such action or is in violation of state law. Upon the recommendation for expulsion of a pupil by the principal, the Superintendent or his/her designee shall conduct a hearing to determine the facts of the case and make a finding of whether or not the student is guilty of conduct warranting a recommendation of expulsion. Notification of the time, date, and place of the expulsion hearing shall be mailed to the parents. Following the hearing, the Superintendent or his/her designee shall notify the parents of the decision rendered.
At the hearing, the principal and/or teacher concerned may be represented by any person appointed by the Superintendent and the concerned teacher shall be permitted to attend and present any relevant information. Until the hearing, the pupil shall remain suspended.
Upon the conclusion of the hearing and upon finding the student guilty of conduct warranting expulsion, the Superintendent shall determine whether such student shall be expelled and the specified period of expulsion, or if other disciplinary action shall be taken. Unless otherwise stipulated by state statutes, the period of expulsion shall not be less than one school semester and may carry over into the next school year, if necessary. During an expulsion, except for students expelled for offenses involving a firearm, knife or other dangerous weapon or instrumentality, or drugs, narcotics or other controlled dangerous substances, the School Board shall place the student in an alternative school or in an alternative school setting.
The parent or tutor of the pupil may, within five (5) days after the decision to expel has been rendered, request the Board to review the findings of the Superintendent or designee at a time set by the Board. After reviewing the findings of the Superintendent or designee, the School Board may affirm, modify, or reverse the action of the Superintendent or designee.
Any pupil who is expelled shall receive no credit for school work missed while he/she is expelled.
EXPULSION INVOLVING FIREARMS
Any student, age sixteen (16) or older, or under sixteen (16) and in grades six (6) through twelve (12), who is found guilty of being in possession of a firearm on school property, on a school bus or in actual possession at a school-sponsored event, pursuant to a hearing, shall be expelled from school for a minimum period of four (4) complete school semesters and shall be referred to the district attorney for appropriate action.
Any student in kindergarten through grade five (5) who is found guilty of being in possession of a firearm on school property, on a school bus, or in actual possession at a school-sponsored event, pursuant to a hearing, shall be expelled from school for a minimum period of two (2) complete school semesters and shall be referred to the district attorney for appropriate action.
The Superintendent, however, may modify the length of the minimum expulsion required in the above paragraphs on a case-by-case basis, provided such modification is in writing.
EXPULSION INVOLVING DRUGS
Any student, sixteen (16) years of age or older, found guilty of possession of, or knowledge of and intentional distribution of or possession with intent to distribute any illegal narcotic, drug, or other controlled substance on school property, on a school bus or at a school-sponsored event, pursuant to a hearing, shall be expelled from school for a minimum period of four (4) complete school semesters.
Any student who is under sixteen (16) years of age and in grades six (6) through twelve (12) and who is found guilty of possession of, or knowledge of and intentional distribution of or possession with intent to distribute any illegal narcotic, drug, or other controlled substance on school property, on a school bus, or at a school-sponsored event pursuant to a hearing shall be expelled from school for a minimum period of two (2) complete school semesters.
Any case involving a student in kindergarten through grade five (5) found guilty of possession of, or knowledge of and intentional distribution of or possession with intent to distribute any illegal narcotic, drug, or other controlled substance on school property, on a school bus, or at a school-sponsored event, pursuant to a hearing, shall be referred to the Board through a recommendation for action from the Superintendent.
ADDITIONAL REASONS FOR EXPULSION
Pupils may also be expelled for any of the following reasons:
1. Any pupil, after being suspended for committing violations of any discipline policies or other rule infractions, depending on the severity of the behavior, may be expelled upon recommendation to the Superintendent by the principal and after an appropriate hearing is held by the Superintendent or designee.
2. Any student who is found carrying or possessing a knife with a blade which equals or exceeds two (2) inches in length.
3. In accordance with federal regulations, a pupil determined to have brought a weapon to a school under the Board's jurisdiction shall be expelled for a minimum of one calendar year. The Superintendent may modify the expulsion requirement on a case-by-case basis. A weapon, in accordance with federal statutes, means a firearm or any device which is designed to expel a projectile or any destructive device, which in turn means any explosive, incendiary or poison gas, bomb, grenade, rocket, missile, mine or similar device.
4. Any student, after being suspended on three (3) occasions for committing offenses involving a firearm, knife or other dangerous instrumentality, or drugs, narcotics or other controlled dangerous substances during the same school year, shall, upon committing the fourth offense, be expelled from all the public schools of the system until the beginning of the next regular school year, and the pupil's reinstatement shall be subject to the review and approval of the Board.
5. The conviction of any pupil of a felony or the incarceration of any pupil in a juvenile institution for an act which had it been committed by an adult, would have constituted a felony, may be cause for expulsion of the pupil for a period of time as determined by the Board; such expulsions shall require the vote of two-thirds of the elected members of the Board.
EXPULSION NOT APPLICABLE
Expulsion shall not apply to the following:
1. A student carrying or possessing a firearm or knife for purposes of involvement in a school class, course, or school approved co-curricular or extracurricular activity or any other activity approved by appropriate school officials.
2. A student possessing any controlled dangerous substance that has been obtained directly or due to a valid prescription or order from a licensed physician. However, such student shall carry evidence of that prescription or physician's order on his/her person at all times when in possession of any controlled dangerous substance which shall be subject to verification.
In addition, school officials, in accordance with statutory provisions, shall have total discretion and shall exercise such discretion in imposing on a pupil any disciplinary actions authorized by state law for possession by a pupil of a firearm or knife on school property when such firearm or knife is stored in a motor vehicle and there is no evidence of the pupil's intent to use the firearm or knife in a criminal manner.
READMITTANCE FOLLOWING EXPULSION
Required Parent Conference
In each case of expulsion, the school principal, or his or her designee, shall contact the parent, tutor, or legal guardian of the pupil to notify them of the expulsion, and establish a date and time for a conference with the principal or designee as a requirement for readmitting the pupil. Notice shall be given by sending a certified letter to the address shown on the pupil's registration card. Also, additional notification may be made by contacting the parent, tutor, or legal guardian by telephone at the telephone number shown on the pupil's registration card.
If the parent, tutor, or legal guardian fails to attend the required conference within five (5) school days of notification, the student may be considered a truant and dealt with according to all applicable statutory provisions. On not more than one occasion each school year when the parents, tutor, or legal guardian refuses to respond, the principal may determine whether readmitting the pupil is in the best interest of the pupil. On any subsequent occasions in the same school year, the pupil shall not be readmitted unless the parent, tutor, or legal guardian, court, or other appointed representative responds.
In any case where a teacher, principal, or other school employee is authorized to require the parent, tutor, or legal guardian of a pupil to attend a conference or meeting regarding the pupil's behavior and after notice, the parent, tutor, or legal guardian willfully refuses to attend, the principal or his or her designee shall file a complaint, in accordance with statutory provisions, with a court exercising juvenile jurisdiction.
Readmittance After All Expulsions
Any pupil expelled may be readmitted to school on a probationary basis at any time during the expulsion period on such terms and conditions as may be stipulated by the School Board. Readmission to school on a probationary basis shall be contingent on the pupil and legal guardian or custodian agreeing in writing to the conditions stipulated. Any such agreement shall contain a provision for immediate removal of the pupil from school premises without benefit of a hearing or other procedure upon the principal or Superintendent determining the pupil has violated any condition agreed to. Immediately thereafter, the principal or designee shall provide proper notification in writing of the determination and reasons for removal to the Superintendent and the pupil's parent or legal guardian.
Readmittance After Expulsion for Firearms, Knives, Weapons, or Drugs
In addition to the readmittance provisions for all expulsions stated above, a pupil that has been expelled from any school in or out of state for possessing on school property or on a bus, a firearm, knife, or other dangerous weapon, or possessing or possession with intent to distribute or distributing, selling, giving, or loaning while on school property or a school bus any controlled dangerous substance shall not be enrolled or readmitted to any such school on a probationary basis prior to the completion of the period of expulsion until the pupil has produces written documentation that he/she and his/her parent or legal guardian have enrolled and participated or is participating in an appropriate rehabilitation or counseling program related to the reason(s) for the pupil's expulsion. The rehabilitation or counseling programs shall be provided by such programs approved by the juvenile or family court having jurisdiction, if applicable, or by the School Board. The requirement for enrollment and participation in a rehabilitation or counseling program shall be waived only upon a documented showing by the pupil attesting in writing that no appropriate program is available in the area or that the pupil cannot enroll or participate due to financial hardship.
Review of Records
A pupil who has been expelled from any school in or out of state shall not be admitted to a school in the school system except upon the review and approval of the School Board following the request for admission. To facilitate the review and approval for readmittance, the pupil shall provide to the Board information on the dates of any expulsions and the reasons therefor. Additionally, the transfer of pupil records to any school or system shall include information on the dates of any expulsions and the reasons therefor.
RECUSAL OF ADMINISTRATOR IN DISCIPLINE MATTERS
Any school administrator or administrator's designee who is required to make a recommendation, decide an issue, or take action in a matter involving the discipline of a student shall recuse himself/herself whenever a member of the immediate family of the administrator or administrator's designee is involved in any manner in the discipline matter. In case of recusal, the action to be taken shall be done so by the Superintendent or an impartial designee of the Superintendent.
Immediate family means the individual's children, brothers, sisters, parents, and spouse and the children, brothers, sisters, and parents of the spouse.
EXPULSION OF STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
Expulsion of students with disabilities shall be in accordance with applicable state or federal law and regulations.
Revised: October, 1995
Revised: July, 1996
Revised: September, 1997
Revised: August, 1999
Revised: August, 2003
Revised: August, 2007
Revised: September, 2008
Ref: 18 USC 921 (Firearms - Definitions); 20 USC 7151 (Gun-Free Schools Act); La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§17:416, 17:416.2, 17:2092; Goss v. Lopez, 95. S. Ct. 729 (1973); Board minutes, 9-4-03, 10-4-07.
STUDENT WELFARE
While the Vernon Parish School Board recognizes the potential for inappropriate behavior by students and/or adults toward the children enrolled in Vernon Parish schools, it shall, to the best of its ability, take precautions and institute regulations and procedures to provide a safe and secure environment for its students in all public schools of the parish.
In its efforts to protect its students, the Board shall require, at a minimum, the following:
1. No employee or volunteer shall be alone with a student in any classroom, office, meeting room, or other similarly enclosed area on school property unless during the full time of such interaction between the student and employee, another school employee, the student's parent, or other authorized adult is present, or the student and employee are clearly visible by persons outside such area through either an open door or entrance, or through a window or other means that provides an unobstructed view of the student and employee.
Interactions may be permitted between:
A. A student and guidance counselor
B. A student and a school employee during the administration of a test when the student's Individualized Education Program (IEP) precludes the presence of other individuals
C. A student and a school nurse or between a student and a school employee engaged in the performance of noncomplex health procedures
D. Any other interaction permitted as determined by the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE)
2. Roles of employees, and especially of volunteers, in working with students shall be clearly documented. Volunteers shall sign an agreement form stating they understand the regulations and procedures governing contact with students and agree to any criminal background checks the Board may require. Thorough training shall be given all employees and volunteers regarding the child abuse prevention program.
Revised: September, 2008
Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§14:403, 17:7, 17:81.6, 23:161, 23:162, 24:163; La. Children's Code, Art. 603, 609.
PUBLIC INFORMATION PROGRAM
(WILL BE ADDED)
On motion of Steve Woods, seconded by Mark Smith, the Board voted to advertise for principal at Leesville High School.
Superintendent Gillespie stated that State Superintendent Paul Pastorek had requested a plan to make-up the days missed due to the hurricanes. Superintendent Gillespie recommended that January 5, 2009 be added as a student day and on motion of Vernon Travis, seconded by Randy Martin, the Board voted that January 5, 2009 would be a day of school for all students.
In other business, Superintendent Gillespie stated that she had been asked by Mayor Westerchil to enter into an inter-agency agreement with the city of Leesville to provide an electrician to install lights at the tennis courts at the country club.
Superintendent Gillespie stated that our schools do use the tennis courts. On motion of Gene Haymon, seconded by Vernon Travis, the Board voted to enter into this agreement pending review by Superintendent Gillespie.
Colonel Sage reported on the new brigade that will soon being arriving at Fort Polk.
Mr. Mike Perkins scheduled a Curriculum Committee meeting for Tuesday, October 7th at 8:00AM and Mr. Gene Haymon scheduled an Insurance Committee meeting on Tuesday, October 7th at 9:00AM. All Board members were urged to attend.
On motion of Vernon Travis, seconded by the Board, the Board adopted the following memorial resolution:
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, the members of the Vernon Parish School Board take this means to express their sympathy to the family of Fred Ross Jr. who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Ross was a retired teacher at Leesville High School; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Ross was a lifelong resident of DeRidder and he will be sadly missed by his many friends and family; now
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED that the Vernon Parish School Board requests a copy of this memorial resolution be sent to his family at this time of sorrow.
On motion of Steve Woods, seconded by the Board, the Board adopted the following memorial resolution:
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, the members of the Vernon Parish School Board wish to express their heartfelt sympathy to the family of Larry Rains who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Rains was preceded in death by his first wife, Becky Rains, former teacher for Vernon Parish; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Rains was a lifelong resident of Leesville, a graduate of Leesville High School, and he will be sadly missed by his many friends and family; now
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED that the Vernon Parish School Board requests a copy of this memorial resolution be sent to his family at this time of sadness.
On motion of Vernon Travis, seconded by the Board, the Board adopted the following memorial resolution:
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, the members of the Vernon Parish School Board take this means to express their condolences to the family of Alice Haynes who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Alice was a former employee of the Vernon Parish School Board, the daughter of Bernadine Haynes, retired employee, the niece of Hirl Haynes, retired employee, and Opalene Haynes, supervisor at the central office; and
WHEREAS, Alice was a resident of Leesville for many years before she relocated to Maryland and she will be greatly missed by her friends and family; now
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED that the Vernon Parish School Board requests a copy of this memorial resolution be sent to her family at this time of sadness.
Memorial Resolutions: Mable Gay John Braward Jean Wunderlick
There being no further business, and on motion of Gaye McKee, seconded by the Board, the meeting was adjourned.
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BERYL FORD, PRESIDENT
ATTEST
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CYNTHIA A GILLESPIE, SUPERINTENDENT