DECEMBER 11, 2012
DRAFT
THE PARISH SCHOOL BOARD OF VERNON PARISH LOUISIANA CONVENED IN REGULAR SESSION ON DECEMBER 11, 2012 AT 5:00PM, 201 BELVIEW ROAD, LEESVILLE, LA. PRESIDENT PERKINS CALLED THE MEETING TO ORDER AND ON ROLL CALL THE FOLLOWING MEMBERS WERE PRESENT:
MICHAEL PERKINS, PRESIDENT
RANDI GLEASON, VICE PRESIDENT
VERNON L. TRAVIS JR.
MEL HARRIS
ROBERT PYNES, JR.
RICHARD SCHWARTZ
DOUG BRANDON
RANDY MARTIN
STEVE WOODS
JOHN BLANKENBAKER
GERALD COOLEY
ABSENT: JERRY L. JEANE
COL. ROGER SHUCK
There was also present Mr. Jackie D. Self, Secretary of the Board.
The meeting was opened in prayer by Richard Schwartz.
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Richard Schwartz.
On motion of Mel Harris, seconded by Randy Martin, the Board voted to approve the minutes of the December 6, 2012 regular meeting and dispense with the reading of the minutes.
On motion of Randy Martin, seconded by Mel Harris, the Board voted to approve the following additional staffing positions:
Sped aide/PHS-student need
Sped aide specific/PES – student need
On motion of Doug Brandon, seconded by Randi Gleason, the Board voted to accept the following retirements:
Dowden, Randall, maintenance
Fox, Tina, teacher/Evans
Ross, Dorothy, Sped aide/ELE
On motion of Randi Gleason, seconded by Vernon Travis, the Board voted to advertise to sell a used bus at Pitkin High School.
On motion of John Blankenbaker, seconded by Gerald Cooley, the Board voted to accept the low bid of $58,980.00 from Southern Bleacher Company for bleachers at Pitkin High School.
The following policies were discussed and on motion of Randi Gleason, seconded by Steve Woods, the policies were unanimously approved:
NOTIFICATION OF BOARD MEETINGS
The Vernon Parish School Board shall give written public notice of all regular meetings, if established by resolution, at the beginning of each calendar year. The Board shall also give written public notice of any regular, special, or rescheduled meeting, no later than twenty-four (24) hours before the meeting. In cases of extraordinary emergencies, such notice shall not be required, however, the Board shall give such notice of the meeting as it deems appropriate and circumstances permit.
Notice for committee meetings shall be given one (1) week in advance of the date of the meeting, whenever possible, but in no case less than twenty-four (24) hours prior to the meeting.
Public notice of any meeting shall include the agenda, date, time, and place of the meeting. The agenda included in the notice shall be reasonably clear so as to advise the public in general terms of each subject to be discussed at the public meeting. In addition, attached to the written notice shall be information on any matters to be discussed in executive session. The notice shall indicate the following:
1. A statement identifying the court, case number, and the parties relative to any pending litigation to be considered at the meeting.
2. A statement identifying the parties involved and reasonably identifying the subject matter of any prospective litigation for which formal written demand has been made that is to be considered at the meeting.
Written public notice given by the Board shall include, but not be limited to:
1. Posting a copy of the notice at the Board's central office or by publication of the notice in the Board's official journal no less than twenty-four (24) hours before the meeting.
2. Mailing a copy of the notice to any member of the news media who requests notice of such meetings; any such member of the news media shall be given notice of all meetings in the same manner as is given to members of the School Board.
3. In addition to the above, by providing notice on the School Board’s website no less than twenty-four (24) hours immediately preceding the meeting.
Revised: November, 2012
Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. ''17:81, 42:19, 42:23.
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. The agenda shall not be changed less than twenty-four (24) hours prior to the meeting.
Each item on the agenda shall be listed separately and described with reasonable specificity. Before the School Board may take any action on the agenda item, the presiding officer shall read aloud the description of the item.
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 upon unanimous approval of the members present at a 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.
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
Revised: November, 2012
Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §42:19; Jackson v. Assumption Parish School Board, App. 1 Cir. 1995, 652 So2d 549, 1994-0901 (La. App. 1 Circ. 3/3/95); Board minutes, 10-7-08.
USE OF AUTOMATED EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATOR (AED)
The Vernon Parish School Board directs that if funding is available, each high school that participates in interscholastic athletics shall have an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) on its premises. In schools which have an AED on site, any expected AED user (those designated by the Superintendent or principal to render emergency care at that school) shall receive appropriate training in the use of AEDs from any nationally recognized course in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and AED use. All training of personnel in the use of AEDs shall be fully documented. In addition, all AEDs shall be maintained and tested according to the manufacturer’s guidelines.
The School Board shall notify the Department of Health and Hospitals and a local provider of emergency medical services (such as 911 service, local ambulance service, or fire department) of the acquisition, location, and type of any AED device.
This policy shall not create an obligation to use an AED, nor is it intended to create any expectation that an AED will be present or that a trained employee will be present and/or able to use an AED, if a condition arises making the use of an AED beneficial.
In addition to the civil immunity provided to persons rendering emergency assistance as provided by law, any person or entity which provides training in CPR and in the use of an AED and any expected AED user shall not be liable for any civil damages arising from any act or omission of acts related to the operation of or failure to operate an AED that do not amount to willful or wanton misconduct or gross negligence.
New policy: November, 2012
Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. ''9:2793, 17:81, 40:1236.12, 40:1236.13.
ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN EMPLOYEES AND STUDENTS
The Vernon Parish School Board shall require that all communications between employees and students be appropriate and in accordance with state law. All electronic or any other communications by employees to students at any time shall be expected to be professional, acceptable in content to any reasonable person, and limited to information that is school-related or is acceptable to both student and parent.
All electronic communication, including electronic mail, by an employee to any student enrolled in a public school in this school district relative to the educational services provided to the student shall use a means provided by or otherwise made available by the school system for this purpose and the School Board shall prohibit the use of all such system means to electronically communicate with a student for a purpose not related to such educational services, except communication with an immediate family member if such communication is specifically authorized by the School Board.
Any electronic communication made by an employee to any student enrolled in a public school in this school district or that is received by an employee from any student enrolled in a public school in this school district using a means other than one provided by or made available by the school system shall be reported by the employee in a manner deemed appropriate by the School Board. Records of any such reported communication shall be maintained by the School Board for a period of at least one (1) year.
The School Board may authorize a school principal, or his/her designee, to permit an employee at the school to contact one or more specifically identified students enrolled at the school and be contacted by such student or students using a means other than one provided by or made available by the school, provided the employee has requested and received permission from the principal, or his/her designee, to do so and has provided documentation in writing to the principal, or his/her designee, stating the purpose or purposes for such contact. Such purposes may include but need not be limited to necessary communications relative to extracurricular activities, student athletic activities, community-based youth activities such as scouting, and faith-based activities such as a youth group sponsored by a religious organization.
DEFINITIONS
1. Electronic Communication includes any direct communication facilitated by voice or text-based telecommunication devices, or both, computers, as well as those devices that facilitate indirect communication using an intermediate method, including but not limited to Internet-based social networks. It shall also include transfer of signs, signals, writing, images, sounds, data, or intelligence of any nature in whole or in part by wire, radio, electromagnetic, photoelectric, or photo-optical system and pertains to both personal and School Board issued devices.
2. Electronic mail – the transmission of text-based information or communication by use of the Internet, computers, a facsimile machine, a pager, a cellular telephone, a video recorder, or any other electronic device or means sent to a person identified by a unique address or address number and received by that person.
3. Computers – pertains to any and all computers.
4. Social networks – locations on the Internet where users may interact with other users -- examples are Facebook, MySpace, YouTube, and other social networks sites available on the internet.
5. Improper or inappropriate communications – any communication between employee and student, regardless of who initiates the communication, that may be viewed as derogatory, sexual or lewd in content, threatening or harassing, discriminatory, simple fraternization, or suggestive in nature.
NOTIFICATION
The School Board shall ensure that at the beginning of each school year each employee, student, and parent, or other person responsible for a student’s attendance, be notified of the provisions of this policy and any related procedures or practices regarding communications between employees and students.
The parent or other person responsible for a student’s attendance shall also be notified of his/her right to request that his/her child not be contacted through electronic communication by any school employee unless the purpose of such communication is directly related to the child’s educational services and is sent to and received by more than one student at the school.
INAPPROPRIATE COMMUNICATIONS
The School Board is aware that the reputations and careers of students and educators have been damaged due to inappropriate communications between parties. Therefore, it is the intent of the Vernon Parish School Board to make all employees and students aware of the expectations and procedures of the school system and the School Board in regard to proper use of all telecommunication devices and computers if used to communicate with one another. The policy is not intended to limit the use of technology as an effective teaching tool.
In addition to reporting communication to or from students not made through the means provided by the school system, employees must report to their supervisor at the first opportunity available, any student-initiated communication that may be construed as inappropriate.
Employees shall be required to comply with all policies, procedures, and practices established by the School Board regarding direct communications with a student, and any failure to do so may result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment. Extreme circumstances may constitute willful neglect of duty. Should an employee’s failure to comply also violate state or federal law, the Superintendent or his/her designee shall report such violation to the proper authorities.
Violations
1. Any violation of this policy shall be immediately investigated by the employee's supervisor. The investigation shall include dates, the name of the person reporting the allegation, and the specific allegation made.
2. The supervisor shall meet with the employee to document his/her response to the allegation. The employee shall be required to cooperate fully with the investigation.
3. All information of the investigation shall be provided to the Superintendent and the Personnel Director by the supervisor.
Violations of this policy or any implementing regulations or procedures may result in discipline of the employee up to and including termination of employment in accordance with Board policy.
New policy: September, 2009
Revised: November, 2012
Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§14:40.3, 17:81, 17:239; Board minutes, 10-6-09.
COMPENSATION GUIDES AND CONTRACTS
Contracts of employment between eligible employees and the Vernon Parish School Board shall be executed for a specified period of time and compensation in accordance with state law. Unless otherwise stipulated, all employees shall meet all stated position qualifications and/or certification requirements before any contract shall become valid. Renewal or issuance, when possible, of contracts of employment, as well as dismissal or nonrenewal of contract notices, with the exception of performance contracts, shall be issued on or before the last day of each school year, whenever possible.
The execution of an employee contract by the Board and employee shall be legally binding upon both parties. Teachers without tenure shall be required to have a written contract. Teachers who have gained tenure may not be required to sign a written contract each scholastic year, but shall be required to sign such employment contracts at intervals determined by the Board. The failure of a non-tenured teacher to sign a contract for the ensuing school session within the specified time, when required, shall be considered as voluntary termination of employment on the part of the teacher, unless under extenuating circumstances, an extension is granted by the Superintendent. Any subsequent resignation or termination of said contract for reasons other than extreme emergencies, as determined by the Board, shall constitute a breach of contract against which legal action may be taken by the Board and the employee dealt with accordingly. The Superintendent shall receive, finalize, and accept all resignations of school employees. However, the Superintendent at the next available meeting shall report said resignations to the Board.
The Superintendent shall sign each teacher contract.
No teacher shall be placed on the payroll of the school district unless the teacher holds a valid certificate as required by law, and a copy of the teacher's contract has been filed with the Superintendent. Exceptions shall be made only when teachers with valid certification are not available for employment.
Performance Contracts
Persons hired in administrative and/or supervisory positions which require certification shall be hired under the terms of a performance contract for a term of not less than two (2) nor more than four (4) years, which shall be agreed to by both the employee and the Board. Renewal or issuance, when possible, of contracts of employment, as well as dismissal or nonrenewal of contract notices, shall be issued on or before the last day of each school year, whenever possible.
Termination or non-renewal of any performance contract shall be governed by the terms of the contract and applicable law.
COMPENSATION
Salary Schedules
Upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the School Board shall establish salary schedules by which to determine the salaries to be paid to teachers and all other school employees. Salaries of all teachers shall be set by the Superintendent. The salaries of all personnel are generally based upon an established salary schedule; provided, however, that salaries may be stated in and controlled by an employment contract.
The salaries as provided in any salary schedule shall be considered as full compensation for all work required and performed within each employee’s prescribed scope of duties and responsibilities.
Salary schedules established for teachers, administrators, and other certified school personnel shall be based upon the following criteria, with no one criterion accounting for more than fifty percent (50%) of the formula used to compute such employees' salaries:
1. Effectiveness, as determined by the performance evaluation program as provided in La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§17:3881 through 3905.
2. Demand, inclusive of area of certification, particular school need, geographic area, and subject area, which may include advanced degree levels.
3. Experience.
No teacher or administrator who is rated ineffective pursuant to the Board’s performance evaluation program shall receive a higher salary in the year following the evaluation than the teacher/administrator received in the year of the evaluation.
The amount of the annual salary paid to any employee in any school year shall not be reduced below the amount of such salary paid during the previous school year, nor shall the amount of the annual salary paid to any employee be reduced at any time during an academic year. The limitations on the reduction in the amount of the annual salary paid to any employee shall not be applicable to the correction of any accounting errors or to a reduction necessitated by the elimination of a state program or state funding. Any salary reduction shall not apply to any local salary supplement funded, in whole or in part, from a revenue source requiring voter approval, when such voter approval has not been obtained. The limitation on the reduction of salary shall also not apply to an employee who has been promoted and subsequently demoted. In this case, the employee’s salary shall return to the salary previously received in the lower position from which promoted.
Ordinarily, no teacher shall be placed on the payroll of the school district unless the teacher holds a valid certificate as required by law, and a copy of the teacher's contract has been filed with the Superintendent. Exceptions may be made only when qualified teachers with valid certification are not available for employment.
Experience Credit
A year of teaching experience is defined as each scholastic year of employment as a certified teacher in public schools within any of the fifty states of the United States of America, or within any of its territorial possessions; or as a teacher in a private or parochial school, as an employee in a state department of education, or as an instructor in an institution of higher learning. All such experience must have been as a teacher in an institution or school accredited by one of the recognized regional accrediting agencies in the United States of America (e.g., SACS). Experience outside the United States of America, its territories or possessions must be in an institution or school accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the United States of America.
A year of teaching experience shall be granted if the person was employed for at least ninety-one (91) instructional days during one scholastic year, excluding holidays, as verified by the Superintendent. However, not more than one (1) year of experience shall be granted for a period inclusive of twelve (12) consecutive calendar months. All experience must have been on a full-time basis.
Any teacher holding a valid Louisiana teaching certificate in the public school system of Louisiana who has transferred to Louisiana from a public school system of another state and who, at the time of such transfer, held a valid teacher's certificate from that state, shall be given full credit under the salary schedule for the years of satisfactory teaching service previously rendered in the public school system of that state. Credit for previous teaching experience shall also be granted to anyone employed who holds a valid Louisiana teaching certificate and is employed or has been employed by another public school system in the state.
Advanced Degree
When a teacher earns additional college credit, is awarded an advanced degree, or receives additional training that would result in an increase in salary, said teacher shall be paid for the advanced degree or training beginning with the first semester if all necessary documentation has been received from the Louisiana Department of Education by October 1. If a teacher provides proper documentation by January 15, the teacher shall receive pay based on the higher degree or additional credit or training beginning with the second semester. It shall be the responsibility of the employee to assure proper notification is given to the Superintendent or his/her designee.
Retirees
The salary of any retiree who is reemployed as a full-time teacher shall be based on the salary schedule which accounts for all prior years of teaching service and pertinent experience. The status of any retiree who is reemployed shall be the same as a full-time active employee, subject to all applicable rules, procedures, policies, and statutes that apply to all such full-time active employees.
The retirement of an employee prior to his/her re-employment as a retiree shall constitute a break in his/her service with the School Board for purposes of tenure and sabbatical leave. The retiree shall not be allowed to carry forward annual leave days accumulated by him/her as of the date of his/her retirement, but he/she may carry forward accumulated sick leave days provided that he/she has returned to employment within five (5) years of his/her last employment as a teacher within the school system. A retiree shall have the right to earn additional sick leave and annual leave, if applicable, on the same basis as other similarly situated newly hired employees while a retiree.
School Employees
Compensation for all school employees shall be based on applicable salary schedules or hourly rates established by the Vernon Parish School Board, with the exception that no employee shall receive less than the minimum established by state or federal law.
For the purposes of this subsection, school employee shall mean any employee of the School Board that is not required to hold a teacher's certificate as a condition of employment, including but not limited to, bus driver, food service worker, teacher aide, custodian, and maintenance personnel.
Operational Supplement - Bus Drivers
In order to address the fluctuating fuel costs that affect bus drivers, the School Board shall provide additional operational compensation in the form of fuel adjustments. The price of fuel shall be monitored and fuel adjustments shall be made twice yearly, once in January, and again in June, in accordance with the following schedule:
Price Per Gallon Fuel Adjustment Scale
$1.25 - $1.50 $.10 per mile one way
$1.51 - $1.75 $.15 per mile one way
$1.76 - $2.00 $.20 per mile one way
Revised: December, 1992 Revised: June, 2012
Revised: November, 1993 Revised: November, 2012
Revised: November, 1998
Revised: July, 2002
Revised: March, 2008
Ref: 29 USC 201 et seq. (Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, as amended); La. Rev. Stat. Ann. ''11:710, 17:81; 17:83, 17:84, 17:84.1, 17:411, 17:413, 17:418, 17:419.2, 17:421.4, 17:422.6, 17:423, 17:424, 17:424.2, 17:424.3, 17:444, 17:491, 17:492, 17:496, 17:496.1, 17:497, 17:497.1, 17:498; Wright v. Caldwell Parish School Board, 30.448 (La. App. 2 Cir. 6/16/99); Garcia v. San Antonio Metropolitan Transit Authority et al., 105 S. Ct. 1005 (February 1985); Harrah Independent School District v. Martin, 99 S. Ct. 1062 (1979); Board minutes, 11-5-98, 4-16-02, 3-11-08, 7-10-12.
EMPLOYMENT OF RETIRED PERSONNEL
The Superintendent, or principal, with the approval of the Superintendent, may employ retired employees under certain conditions; however, an employee whose retirement has been accepted shall not be guaranteed any position/employment with the Board.
CERTIFIED PERSONNEL
Certified personnel who are members of the Teachers’ Retirement System of Louisiana (TRSL) who have retired and are rehired shall be designated as either a retired teacher or retired member, as provided below:
Retired Teachers
A retired teacher is:
1. Any teacher who returns to active service as a full-time or part-time classroom teacher in grades K-12 in a critical shortage area, or
2. A retiree who returns to active service as a full-time certified speech therapist, speech pathologist, or audiologist whose position requires a valid Louisiana ancillary certificate where the shortage exists, or
3. A retired employee who has returned to active employment service covered by La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §11:710 on or before June 30, 2010.
4. A retired member who retired on or after May 1, 2009, and on or before June 30, 2010, and who returns to active employment service to a position requiring a valid Louisiana teaching certificate or a valid Louisiana ancillary certificate.
5. A retired employee who returns to active employment service as a substitute classroom teacher who teaches any student in pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade.
6. A retired employee who holds an advanced degree in speech therapy, speech pathology, or audiology.
7. A retired employee who has a valid Louisiana teaching certificate who returns to active employment service who is assigned the professional activities of instructing adults through an adult education or literacy program administered by the School Board.
Critical shortage area shall mean any shortage of certified teachers existing in a subject area that has been certified by both the Superintendent and personnel director to Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) and the Teachers Retirement System of Louisiana.
Classroom teacher shall mean any employee whose position requires a valid Louisiana teaching certificate and who is assigned activities of instructing pupils in classroom courses for which daily attendance figures are kept, including school classroom, home or hospital settings or other learning situations that may be delivered inside or outside the classroom or in other teacher-student settings.
Substitute classroom teacher shall mean a classroom teacher employed in a temporary capacity to fill the position of another classroom teacher who is unavailable to teach for any reason.
Prior to making such certification of critical shortage for any full-time teaching position, the School Board shall be required to advertise in the Board’s official journal, on two (2) separate occasions, notice that a shortage of certified teachers exists and the positions to be filled. If a certified applicant who is not a retiree applies for an advertised position, such person shall be hired before any certified retired teacher is employed, unless fewer than three (3) teachers have applied for the position each of whom are certified in the critical shortage area being filled.
The salary of any retired teacher who is reemployed shall be based on the salary schedule which accounts for all prior years of teaching service and pertinent experience. The earnings of a retired teacher reemployed as a substitute classroom teacher or adult education instructor may result in a reduction in retirement benefits received, in accordance with statutory provisions.
Whenever a retiree returns to active service, the School Board shall, within thirty (30) days thereafter, notify the TRSL in writing of such employment, the date of reemployment, and a determination as to whether the person is a retired teacher or retired member. Other reports shall be submitted as required by state law.
Retired Members
A retired member is any person who is a member of the Teachers Retirement System of Louisiana and who after being reemployed, is not classified as a retired teacher. A retired member, once reemployed, shall have his/her retirement benefits suspended for the duration of reemployment, even if such employment is based on a contract, and shall receive no additional service credit nor accrue any additional retirement benefits.
BUS DRIVERS
A bus driver who has retired from service may be employed and return to service as a full-time bus driver. If a retired bus driver is reemployed, the Superintendent shall certify to the BESE that a shortage of qualified bus drivers exists in the school district.
Whenever a retired bus driver is reemployed, the School Board shall notify the Louisiana School Employees Retirement System (LSERS) in writing within ten (10) days of such employment and the date employment began. In addition, the School Board shall submit to LSERS before September 1 of each school year of reemployment of a bus driver a declaration stating the Board’s intent to reemploy the bus driver. The declaration shall be signed by the Superintendent or his/her designee and the employee. If such declaration is not received by September 1, the reemployed bus driver shall be subject to retirement benefits and other conditions in accordance with La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §11:1006. Upon the bus driver’s termination, the School Board shall provide LSERS in writing information and notice of the termination.
The School Board shall be required to report to LSERS within forty-five (45) days after June 30th of each year the names of all retired bus drivers being paid by the Board, their social security numbers, and the amounts of their earnings during the previous year.
Actuarial Cost
If a retired bus driver is reemployed, the School Board shall pay to LSERS the actuarial cost for the bus driver that is in excess of the cost that would have been incurred if the School Board had reemployed the bus driver pursuant to the provisions of La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §11:1006.
OTHER NON-CERTIFIED EMPLOYEES
Any retired non-certified employee, other than a bus driver, may be reemployed as a full-time, part-time, temporary, or substitute employee. The School Board shall be required to transmit monthly, by the fifteenth (15th) day after the end of the month, a report to the Louisiana School Employees Retirement System (LSERS) with the name, social security number, and the amount of earnings of the retiree during the previous month.
New policy: August, 2010
Revised: August, 2011
Revised: November, 2012
Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§11:710, 11:1006, 11:1007, 17:81; Board minutes, 2-8-11, 10-11-11.
ALTERNATIVE SCHOOLS EDUCATION PROGRAM
The Vernon Parish School Board recognizes that exclusion from the educational program of the schools, whether by suspension or expulsion, is the most severe sanction that can be imposed on a student and one that cannot be imposed without due process, since expulsion deprives a student of the right to an education.
Students suspended for more than ten (10) days or expelled from school shall remain under the supervision of the school system using an alternative education program designed to continue the educational process in an alternative educational placement. The alternative education program is designed to offer variations of traditional instructional programs and strategies for the purpose of increasing the likelihood that students who are unmotivated or unsuccessful in the traditional programs or who are disruptive in the traditional school environment remain in school and earn course credits when possible, and to provide assistance with social skills and work habits.
A student placed in an alternative school or an alternative education program shall attend and participate in such school, program, or education services. The parent, tutor, or legal guardian of any such student shall ensure attendance of the student as required. The Supervisor of Child Welfare and Attendance, with the approval of the Superintendent, shall have the authority to file court proceedings to enforce the attendance requirements.
Upon the request of the student's parent, tutor, or other person responsible for the student's school attendance, a student enrolled in school between ages of sixteen (16) and eighteen (18) years may be allowed, with approval of the School Board, to attend an alternative education program.
The School Board may solicit and contract with an education service provider to provide educational services to students placed in an alternative school or an alternative education program. Alternative educational services to be rendered shall be in accordance with state law and rules and regulations promulgated by the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education.
Other alternative education programs may be available for students with special needs. These programs are enumerated in the Board's Pupil Progression Plan.
Revised: November, 2012
Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. ''17:7.5, 17:100.5, 17:221, 17:224, 17:416.2; Alternative Education Schools/Programs Standards, Bulletin 131, Louisiana Department of Education.
TECHNOLOGY CODE OF CONDUCT
PURPOSE
The Vernon Parish School Board provides computer equipment, computer services, and Internet access to its users for educational purposes. Vernon Parish provides technology resources to improve learning and teaching through research, training, collaboration, and the use of global communication resources. This will enable users to explore thousands of libraries, databases, and bulletin boards while exchanging messages with Internet users throughout the world. Research skills in electronic information are now essential to preparation of users to be employed in the Age of Information. Age and grade appropriate classroom instruction shall be provided regarding Internet and cell phone safety. Such instruction shall include appropriate online behavior, interacting with other individuals on social networking websites and in chat rooms, and cyberbullying awareness and response, as well as areas of concern as authorized in state and federal law.
The Board shall incorporate the use of computer-related technology or the use of Internet service provider technology designed to block access or exposure to any harmful materials or information, such as sites that contain obscene, pornographic, pervasively vulgar, excessively violent, or sexually harassing information or material. Sites which contain information on the manufacturing of bombs or other incendiary devices shall also be prohibited. However, the School Board does not prohibit authorized employees or students from having unfiltered or unrestricted access to Internet or online services, including online services of newspapers with daily circulation of at least 1,000, for legitimate scientific or educational purposes approved by the Board.
ACCEPTABLE USE
Vernon Parish School System is now offering Internet access for users. The Acceptable Use policy is as follows:
1. E-mail. E-mail will allow users to communicate with people throughout the world. Users will also be able to subscribe to mail lists to engage in group discussions related to educational subjects.
2. World Wide Web. The Web provides access to a wide range of information in the form of text, graphics, photographs, video, and sound, from throughout the world. The Web is a valuable research tool for students.
3. Internet Relay Chat (IRC). IRC provides the capability of engaging in "real-time" discussions. The District will provide access to IRC only for specifically defined supervised educational classroom activities. IRC will not be allowed in the school libraries.
4. The Internet can be used for:
a. Conducting educational research through the use of a Web Browser.
b. Communicating with others through E-mail and Newsgroups on educational topics.
c. Downloading public domain and shareware files and programs for educational use.
d. Printing electronic information for educational use.
e. High quality, self-discovery activities approved by instructor.
f. Approved career development activities.
Internet Access
1. Individual e-mail accounts, which are assigned and monitored by the classroom teacher, may be obtained for supervised educational classroom use by:
a. Students with approval of their parent and the technology coordinator.
b. Other users with the approval of the technology coordinator.
Passwords must be assigned by the classroom teacher.
2. All users must sign an agreement to be granted an individual e-mail account with the Vernon Parish School System. This agreement must be renewed on an annual basis. Parents/ technology coordinators can withdraw approval at any time.
3. If approved by the technology coordinator, a personal Web page may be created for school organizations. Al material placed on a Web page must be pre-approved in a manner specified by the school. Material placed on a Web page must relate to the school and career preparation activities.
System Security
1. All users are responsible for individual accounts and should take all reasonable precautions to prevent others from being able to use the account. Under no conditions should users provide passwords to another person.
2. All users will immediately notify a teacher/technology coordinator if a security problem is identified.
3. All users will avoid the inadvertent spread of computer viruses by following the Vernon Parish virus protection procedures if software is downloaded. Classroom computer disks must be scanned weekly for viruses.
4. Outside computer disks, software, and other multi-media programs are not allowed in computer labs without prior approval of the instructor.
Unacceptable Use
Any action determined by teacher/technology coordinator to be inappropriate use is considered unacceptable use. This includes:
Vandalism:
1. Any attempt to destroy data of another user.
2. Damaging computers -- hardware, software, furniture, equipment, supplies and any other related materials.
3. Damage to computer systems or computer networks.
4. This includes but is not limited to computer viruses.
Inappropriate Language:
1. Restrictions against inappropriate language apply to public messages, private messages, and material posted on Web pages.
2. Users shall not use obscene, profane, lewd, vulgar, rude, inflammatory, threatening, or disrespectful language.
3. Users shall not post information that could cause damage or a danger of disruption.
4. Users shall not engage in personal attacks, including prejudicial or discriminatory attacks.
5. Users shall not harass another person. Harassment is persistently acting in a manner that distresses or annoys another person. If user is told by a person to stop sending them messages, then user must stop.
6. Users shall not knowingly or recklessly post false or defamatory information about a person or organization.
Respecting Resource Limits:
1. Users shall use the system only for educational and career development activities and limited high-quality, self-discovery activities.
2. Users shall not download large files unless absolutely necessary. If necessary, user shall download the file at a time when the system is not being heavily used and immediately remove the file from the system computer to his/her personal computer.
3. Users shall not post chain letters or engage in "spamming". Spamming is sending an annoying or unnecessary message to a large number of people.
4. Users shall not waste printing supplies.
Plagiarism and Copyright Infringement:
1. Users shall not plagiarize works that are found on the Internet. Plagiarism is taking the ideas or writings of others and presenting them as if they were yours.
2. Users shall respect the rights of copyright owners. Copyright infringement occurs when user inappropriately reproduces a work that is protected by a copyright. If a work contains language that specifies appropriate use of that work, users should follow the expressed requirements. If user is unsure whether or not a work may be used, user should request permission from the copyright owner. Copyright law can be very confusing. If user has questions, he/she should ask a teacher.
Inappropriate Access to Material:
1. Users shall not use Vernon Parish School System's computer equipment to access material that is profane or obscene (pornography), that advocates illegal acts, or that advocates violence or discrimination towards other people.
2. If users mistakenly access inappropriate information, users should immediately tell a teacher/technology coordinator. This will protect users against a claim that users have intentionally violated this policy.
USER RESPONSIBILITY
Guidelines are provided so that Internet users are aware of the responsibilities they are about to assume. Responsibilities include efficient, ethical, and legal utilization of network resources. All users shall abide by all policies of the School Board and any applicable administrative regulations and procedures. Users include students, staff, employees, teachers, administrators, and any other persons using School Board computer equipment, hardware, and Board network.
When users are using the Vernon Parish School System's computer equipment, it may feel like users can more easily break a rule and not get caught. This is not true because little "electronic footprints" are left on the network. So the odds of getting caught are really about the same as they are in the real world. But the fact that users can do something or think something can be done without being caught does not make it right to do so. Even if the user is not caught, there is always one person who will know whether a wrong has been committed -- that person is the user.
Violations of this policy may result in a loss of access as well as other disciplinary or legal action. The Vernon Parish School System shall be responsible for determining disciplinary action(s) in cases concerning infractions of the Technology Code of Conduct.
Revised: August, 1999
Revised: December, 2008
Revised: November, 2012
Ref: 47 USC 254(h), Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA); La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§17:81, 17:100.7, 17:280; Board minutes, 9-3-98, 2-5-09.
PARENT CONFERENCES
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.
ACADEMIC CONFERENCES
At least two (2) parent-teacher conferences shall be scheduled by teachers during the first semester of each school year. At least one (1) parent or guardian of the child shall attend or participate in at least one (1) of the scheduled parent-teacher conferences. A teacher need not require a parent or guardian to attend a conference if the conference would be unnecessary due to the student’s academic record. Other conferences may be scheduled as the need arises.
If a middle school or high school student has more than one teacher, the parent or guardian may participate in the conference by conference call.
The School Board shall direct the Superintendent to establish regulations regarding the failure of the parent or guardian to attend at least one (1) of the scheduled parent-teacher conferences. Said regulations shall not include any negative action against the student as a result of the parents/guardians not attending the required parent-teacher conference.
The principal or supervisor should be present at any parent-teacher conference when there is reason to anticipate an atmosphere of hostility.
DISCIPLINARY 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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
Revised: November, 2012
Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. ''17:233, 17:406.7, 17:416; La. Children's Code, '730, '731.
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 and every other school employee shall be authorized to hold every student to a strict accountability for any disorderly conduct, and discipline policies shall be applicable, in school or on the playgrounds of the school, on the street or road while going to or returning from school, on any school bus, during intermission or recess, or at any school-sponsored activity or function.
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 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.
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.
STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT
While the School Board cannot reasonably be expected to develop a Student Code of Conduct in such detail as to anticipate every type of misconduct that could possibly occur, the Board shall develop and maintain a Student Code of Conduct, which shall enumerate the necessary discipline action to be taken against any student who violates the Code of Conduct. It shall be in compliance with all existing policies, rules, and regulations of the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education and all state laws relative to student discipline.
Prior to the beginning of each school year, all schools of the Vernon Parish School District shall provide each student, and his/her parent, tutor, or legal guardian with a Student Handbook or similar document that identifies and explains discipline policies, rules or regulations, and procedures that are parish-wide and/or specific to that school, as well as outline the consequences for students who violate the Student Code of Conduct or any school policy, regulation, or procedure. Such consequences may include, but may not be limited to, oral or written reprimands, parental contact, removal of the student from the classroom, detention, corporal punishment, in-school suspension, suspension from school, assignment to an alternative school, recommending expulsion from school, or any other disciplinary measure authorized by the principal in conjunction with state law and/or Board policy.
ORIENTATION/NOTICE
Students shall be informed by school authorities that violations of Board policy and school rules or regulations may result in a range of disciplinary actions including suspension or expulsion. Each school shall plan and conduct an orientation and other meetings within the first five (5) days of school each year to fully inform all employees and students of all discipline policies, provisions of the Student Code of Conduct applicable to such students, and rules and regulations necessary for the safe and orderly operation of the public schools. The orientation shall also include information on the consequences of failure to comply with disciplinary rules and requirements of the Student Code of Conduct, particularly bullying and similar prohibited conduct, including
suspension, expulsion, the possibility of suspension of student’s driver’s license, and the possible criminal 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
Revised: November, 2012
Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. ''17:223, 17:235.2, 17:416, 17:416.1, 17:416.8, 17:416.12, 17:416.13, 17:416.20; Board minutes, 10-7-08.
BULLYING AND HAZING
The Vernon Parish School Board is committed to maintaining a safe, orderly, civil and positive learning environment so that no student feels bullied, threatened, or harassed while in school or participating in school-related activities. Students and their parents/guardians shall be notified that the school, school bus, and all other school environments are to be safe and secure for all. Therefore, all statements or actions of bullying, hazing, or similar behavior such as threatening or harassment, made on campus, at school-sponsored activities or events, on school buses, at school bus stops, and on the way to and from school shall not be tolerated. Even if made in a joking manner, these statements or actions of bullying, hazing, or similar behavior towards other students, school personnel, or school property shall be unacceptable.
All students, teachers, and other school employees shall take responsible measures within the scope of their individual authority to prevent violations of this policy.
Bullying shall mean:
1. A pattern of any one or more of the following:
A. Gestures, including but not limited to obscene gestures and making faces.
B. Written, electronic, or verbal communications, including but not limited to calling names, threatening harm, taunting, malicious teasing, or spreading untrue rumors. Electronic communication includes but is not limited to a communication or image transmitted by email, instant message, text message, blog, or social networking website through the use of a telephone, mobile phone, pager, computer, or other electronic device.
C. Physical acts, including but not limited to hitting, kicking, pushing, tripping, choking, damaging personal property, or unauthorized use of personal property.
D. Repeatedly and purposefully shunning or excluding from activities.
2. Where the pattern of behavior as enumerated above is exhibited toward a student, more than once, by another student or group of students and occurs, or is received by, a student while on school property, at a school-sponsored or school-related function or activity, in any school bus or van, at any designated school bus stop, in any other school or private vehicle used to transport students to and from schools, or any school-sponsored activity or event.
3. The pattern of behavior as provided above must have the effect of physically harming a student, placing the student in reasonable fear of physical harm, damaging a student's property, placing the student in reasonable fear of damage to the student's property, or must be sufficiently severe, persistent, and pervasive enough to either create an intimidating or threatening educational environment, have the effect of substantially interfering with a student's performance in school, or have the effect of substantially disrupting the orderly operation of the school.
Hazing shall mean any knowing behavior, whether by commission or omission, of any student to encourage, direct, order, or participate in any activity which subjects another student to potential physical, mental, or psychological harm for the purpose of initiation or admission into, affiliation with, continued membership in, or acceptance by existing members of any organization or extracurricular activity at a public elementary or secondary school, whether such behavior is planned or occurs on or off school property, including any school bus and school bus stop. Hazing does not mean any adult-directed and school-sanctioned athletic program practice or event or military training program.
Any solicitation to engage in hazing, and the aiding and abetting another person who engages in hazing shall be prohibited. The consent, stated or implied, of the hazing victim shall not be a defense in determining disciplinary action.
NOTICE TO STUDENTS AND PARENTS
The School Board shall inform each student, orally and in writing, at the required orientation conducted at the beginning of each school year, of the prohibition against bullying, hazing, or similar behavior of a student by another student; the nature and consequences of such actions; including the potential criminal consequences and loss of driver's license, and the proper process and procedure for reporting any incidents involving such prohibited actions. A copy of the written notice shall also be delivered to each student's parent or legal guardian.
REPORTING
The principal or his/her designee shall be authorized to receive complaints alleging violation of this policy. All employees, parents, volunteers, or any other school personnel shall report alleged violations to the principal or his/her designee. Any written or oral report of an act of bullying, hazing, or similar behavior shall be considered an official means of reporting such act(s). Complaints, reports, and investigative reports of bullying, hazing, or similar behavior shall remain confidential, with limited exception of state or federal law.
The reporting of incidents of bullying, hazing, or similar behavior shall be made on the Bullying Report form, which shall include an affirmation of truth. Any bullying, hazing, or similar behavior report submitted, regardless of recipient, shall use this form, but additional information may be provided.
Students and Parents
Any student who believes that he/she has been, or is currently, the victim of bullying, hazing, or similar behavior, or any student, parent, or guardian, who witnesses bullying, hazing, or similar behavior or has good reason to believe bullying, hazing, or similar behavior is taking place, may report the situation to a school official, who in turn shall report the situation to the principal or his/her designee. A student, or parent or guardian, may also report concerns regarding bullying, hazing, or similar behavior to a teacher, counselor, other school employee, or to any parent chaperoning or supervising a school function or activity. Any such report shall remain confidential.
School Personnel
Any school employee, whether full- or part-time, and any parent/volunteer chaperoning or supervising a school function or activity, who witnesses or learns of bullying, hazing or similar behavior from a student or parent, shall report the incident to the principal or his/her designee. Verbal reports shall be submitted by the employee or parent/volunteer on the same day as the employee or parent/volunteer witnessed or otherwise learned of the incident, and a written report shall be filed no later than two (2) days thereafter.
All other members of the school community, including students, parents/legal guardians, volunteers, and visitors shall be encouraged to report any act that may be a violation of this policy to the principal or his/her designee.
False Reports
Intentionally making false reports about bullying, hazing, or similar behavior to school officials shall be prohibited conduct and shall result in appropriate disciplinary measures as determined by the School Board.
INVESTIGATION PROCEDURE
Investigations of any reports of bullying, hazing, or similar behavior of a student by another student shall be in accordance with the following:
1. Timing
The school shall begin an investigation of any complaint that is properly reported and that alleges the prohibited conduct the next business or school day after the report is received by the principal or his/her designee. The investigation shall be completed not later than ten (10) school days after the date the written report of the incident is submitted to the principal or his/her designee. If additional information is received after the end of the ten-day period, the school principal or his/her designee shall amend all documents and reports required to reflect such information.
2. Scope of Investigation
An investigation shall include documented interviews of the reporter, the alleged victim, the alleged bully or offender, and any witnesses, and shall include obtaining copies or photographs of any audio-visual evidence. Interviews must be conducted privately, separately, and confidentially. At no time shall the alleged offender and alleged victim be interviewed together.
The principal or his/her designee shall collect and evaluate all facts using the Bullying Investigation form.
3. Parental Notification
Upon receiving a report of bullying, hazing, or similar behavior, the school shall notify the parents or legal guardians of the alleged offender and the alleged victim no later than the following business or school day. Delivery of notice to the parents or legal guardians by an involved student shall not constitute the required parental notice.
Before any student under the age of eighteen (18) is interviewed, his/her parent or legal guardian shall be notified by the principal or his/her designee of the allegations made and shall have the opportunity to attend any interviews with their child conducted as part of the investigation.
All meetings with the parents or legal guardians of the alleged victim and the parents or legal guardians of the alleged offender shall be in compliance with the following:
A. Separate meetings shall be held with the parents or legal guardians of the alleged victim and the parents or legal guardians of the alleged offender.
B. Parents or legal guardians of the alleged victim and of the alleged offender shall be informed of the potential consequences, penalties, and counseling options.
In any case where a teacher, principal, or other school employee is authorized to require the parent or legal guardian of a student who is under the age of eighteen (18) and not judicially emancipated or emancipated by marriage to attend a conference or meeting regarding the student's behavior and, after notice, the parent, tutor, or legal guardian willfully refuses to attend, the principal or his/her designee shall file a complaint, pursuant to Louisiana Children’s Code, Article 730 or 731, with a court exercising juvenile jurisdiction. The principal may also file a complaint on the grounds the student is a truant or has willfully and repeatedly violated school rules, or any other applicable ground when, in his/her judgment, doing so is in the best interests of the student.
4. Documentation
At the conclusion of an investigation of bullying, hazing, or similar behavior, and after meeting with the parents or legal guardians, the principal or his/her designee or School Board shall:
A. Prepare a written report containing the findings of the investigation, including input from students’ parents or legal guardians, and the decision by the principal or his/her designee or school system official. The document shall be placed in the school records of both students.
B. Promptly notify the reporter/complainant of the findings of the investigation and whether remedial action has been taken, if such release of information does not violate the law.
C. Keep reports/complaints and investigative reports confidential, except where disclosure is required to be made by applicable federal laws, rules, or regulations or by state law.
D. Maintain reports/complaints and investigative reports for three (3) years.
E. As applicable, provide a copy of any reports and investigative documents to the School Board for disciplinary measures, or to the Louisiana Department of Education, as necessary.
During the pendency of an investigation, the school district may take immediate steps, at its discretion, to protect the alleged victim, students, teachers, administrators or other school personnel pending completion of the investigation.
APPEAL
If the school principal or his/her designee does not take timely and effective action, the student, parent, or school employee may report, in writing, the incident to the School Board. The School Board shall begin an investigation of any properly reported complaint that alleges prohibited conduct the next business day during which school is in session after the report is received by the School Board.
If the School Board does not take timely and effective action, the student, parent, or other school employee may report any bullying incident to the Louisiana Department of Education.
DISCIPLINARY ACTION
Once a report has been received at a school, and a school principal or his/her designee has determined that an act of bullying, hazing, or similar behavior has occurred, and after having met with the parent or legal guardian of the student involved, the principal or his/her designee, or applicable school official shall take prompt and appropriate disciplinary action against the student, and report criminal conduct to law enforcement. Counseling and/or other interventions may also be recommended.
Students may be disciplined for off-campus bullying, hazing, or similar behavior the same as if the improper conduct occurred on campus, if the actions of the offender substantially interferes with the education opportunities or educational programs of the student victim and/or adversely affects the ability of the student victim to participate in or benefit from the school’s education programs or activities.
PARENTAL RELIEF
If a parent, legal guardian, teacher, or other school official has made four (4) or more reports of separate instances of bullying, and no investigation pursuant to state law or this policy has occurred, the parent or legal guardian of the alleged victim may request that the student be transferred to another school operated by the School Board.
Such request shall be filed with the Superintendent. Upon receipt of the request to transfer the student to another school, the School Board shall make a seat available at another school under its jurisdiction within ten (10) school days of the parent or legal guardian's request for a transfer. If the School Board has no other school under its jurisdiction serving the grade level of the victim, within fifteen (15) school days of receiving the request, the Superintendent shall:
1. Inform the student and his/her parent or legal guardian and facilitate the student's enrollment in a statewide virtual school.
2. Offer the student a placement in a full-time virtual program or virtual school under the School Board’s jurisdiction.
3. Enter into a memorandum of understanding with the Superintendent or director of another governing authority to secure a placement and provide for the transfer of the student to a school serving the grade level of the student, in accordance with statutory provisions.
If no seat or other placement is made available within thirty (30) calendar days of the receipt of the request by the Superintendent, the parent or legal guardian may request a hearing with the School Board, which shall be public or private at the option of the parent or legal guardian. The Board shall grant the hearing at the next scheduled meeting or within sixty (60) calendar days, whichever is sooner.
At the end of any school year, the parent or legal guardian may make a request to the School Board to transfer the student back to the original school. The School Board shall make a seat available at the original school that the student attended. No other schools shall qualify for transfer under this provision.
RETALIATION
Retaliation against any person who reports bullying, hazing, or similar behavior in good faith, who is thought to have reported such behavior, who files a complaint, or who otherwise participates in an investigation or inquiry concerning allegations of bullying, hazing, or similar behavior is prohibited conduct and subject to disciplinary action.
CHILD ABUSE
The provisions of this policy shall not be interpreted to conflict with or supersede the provisions requiring mandatory reporting pursuant to Louisiana Children's Code, Art. 609 and as enforced through La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §14:403.
Revised: August, 2010
Revised: November, 2012
Ref: 20 USC 1232(g-i) (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act); La. Rev. Stat. Ann. ''14:40.3, 14:40.7, 14:403, 17:105, 17:105.1, 17:183, 17:416, 17:416.1, 17:416.13; La. Children’s Code, Art. 609, 730, 731; Davis v. Monroe County Board of Education, 119 S.Ct. 1661 (1991); Board minutes, 8-10-04, 2-8-11.
DISCIPLINE
It is the purpose of the Vernon Parish School Board to operate the schools in a manner that will provide an orderly process of education and that will provide for the welfare and safety of all students who attend these schools. The school's primary goal is to educate, not discipline; however, when the behavior of the individual student comes in conflict with rights of others, corrective actions may be necessary both for the benefit of that individual and the school as a whole.
Every teacher and other school employees in the public school system shall endeavor to hold each student to a strict accountability for any disorderly conduct in school, or on the playgrounds of the school, on any school bus, on the street or while going to or returning from school, during intermission or recess, or at any school sponsored activity or function. To assist the teacher, the Board shall establish regulations for the use of disciplinary measures within the schools and continually monitor and appraise their usefulness. Discipline shall be administered uniformly, consistently, and in a nondiscriminatory manner.
Principals shall have both the authority and the duty to take disciplinary action whenever the behavior of any student (s) materially interferes with or substantially disrupts the maintenance of a proper atmosphere for learning within the classroom or other parts of the school. However, no student shall be disciplined in any manner by the School Board or school administrator, teacher, or other school employee for the use of force upon another person when it can be reasonably concluded that the use of such force more probably than not was committed solely for the purpose of preventing a forcible offense against the student or a forcible offense provided that the force used must be reasonable and apparently necessary to prevent such offense. A student who is the aggressor or who brings on a difficulty cannot claim the right stated above to defend himself/herself.
Each teacher may take disciplinary action to correct a student who engages in bullying, who disrupts normal classroom activities, who is disrespectful to a teacher, who willfully disobeys a teacher, who uses abusive or foul language directed at a teacher or another pupil, who violates school rules, or who interferes with an orderly education process. The disciplinary action taken by the teacher shall be in accordance with such regulations and procedures established by the Board.
STUDENT REMOVAL FROM CLASSROOM
A student may be immediately removed from a classroom by the teacher and placed in the custody of the principal or designee if the student’s behavior prevents the orderly instruction of other pupils, poses an immediate threat to the safety of students or the teacher, when a student exhibits disrespectful or threatening behavior toward a teacher such as using foul or abusive language or gestures directed at or threatening a student or teacher, when a pupil violates the school’s code of conduct, or when a student exhibits other disruptive, dangerous, or unruly behavior, including inappropriate physical contact, inappropriate verbal conduct, sexual or other harassment, throwing objects, inciting other students to misbehave, or destroying property. The student should not be kept out of school past the suspension period imposed by the principal.
A student removed from the classroom shall be assigned school work missed and shall receive fifty percent (50%) credit for such work if it is completed satisfactorily and timely as determined by the principal or his/her designee, upon the recommendation of the student’s teacher. Students will be given one day for each day missed to make-up work (example: two days suspension, two days to make up work.)
Any student removed from class in kindergarten through grade 6 shall not be permitted to return to class for at least thirty (30) minutes unless agreed to by the teacher. A student removed from class in grades 7 through 12 shall not be permitted to return to class during the same class period, unless agreed to by the teacher initiating the disciplinary action.
Whenever a teacher is struck by a student, the student, in addition to any other discipline given, shall be permanently removed from the teacher's classroom, unless the teacher objects, or unless the principal, with the concurrence of the building level committee, finds the striking incident to be entirely inadvertent.
Upon the student being removed from class and sent to the principal's office, the principal or designee shall conduct a counseling session with the student to discuss the particular misconduct. Once removed, the student shall not be readmitted to the classroom until the principal has implemented one of the following disciplinary measures:
1. In-school suspension
2. Detention
3. Suspension
4. Initiation of expulsion hearings
5. Assignment to an alternative school
6. Requiring the completion of all assigned school and homework which would have been assigned and completed by the student during the period of suspension.
7. Any other disciplinary measure authorized by the principal with the concurrence of the teacher or building level committee.
Parental Notification
The principal or his/her designee shall provide oral or written notification to the parent or legal guardian of any student removed from the classroom. Such notification shall include a description of any disciplinary action taken.
When a student has been removed from a classroom, the teacher may require the parent, tutor, or legal guardian of the student to have a conference with the teacher in the presence of the principal or his or her designee before the student is readmitted. Upon the student’s third removal from the same classroom, the teacher and principal shall discuss the pupil's disruptive behavior and contemplated disciplinary measures to be taken before the principal implements such measures. If appropriate, a referral may be made to the building level committee. In addition, a conference between the teacher or other appropriate school employee and the student’s parent, tutor, or legal guardian shall be required prior to the student being readmitted. If the disruptive behavior persists, the teacher may request that the principal transfer the student into another setting.
PARENT CONFERENCES
In any case where a teacher, principal, or other school employee is authorized to require the parent, tutor, or legal guardian of a student to attend a conference or meeting regarding the student’s behavior, and after notice, the parent, tutor, or legal guardian willfully refuses to attend, the principal, or his/her designee, shall file a complaint, in accordance with statutory provisions, with a court exercising juvenile jurisdiction. Notice of the conference, specifying the time and date of the conference, shall be given by contacting the parent, tutor, or legal guardian by telephone at the telephone number shown on the student’s registration card or by sending a certified letter to the address shown on the student’s registration card.
REPORTS TO PRINCIPAL
Any teacher or other school employee may report to the principal any student who acts in a disorderly manner or is in violation of school rules, or any misconduct or violation of school rules by a student who may or may not be known to the teacher or employee. Incidents of alleged discipline violations shall be reported on the School Behavior Report/School Bus Behavior Report form provided by the Louisiana Department of Education. The forms shall be submitted in accordance with procedures outlined by the School District, the Superintendent, and school system personnel. The principal shall review and act upon such information submitted, to determine if suspension or other disciplinary action is necessary.
Should the principal fail to act on any report of misconduct or school violation, he/she shall explain the reasons for doing so to the Superintendent or his/her designee and to the teacher or school employee, student, parent, or legal guardian reporting the violation.
DELINQUENT STUDENTS
Students who regularly disrupt the normal school environment shall be considered as delinquent, and may be reported by appropriate school personnel to the juvenile court. Any student that exhibits disruptive behavior, an incorrigible attitude, or any other discipline problems in general may be recommended by the principal for expulsion, assignment to an appropriate alternative educational placement, or transfer to adult education if the student is:
1. Seventeen (17) years of age or older with less than five (5) units of credit toward graduation;
2. Eighteen (18) years of age or older with less than ten (10) units of credit toward graduation; or
3. Nineteen (19) years of age or older with less than fifteen (15) units of credit toward graduation.
SCHOOL VIOLENCE
Students who threaten or commit serious acts of violence may be suspended from school, recommended for expulsion, and/or referred to the proper law enforcement officials.
Incidents of hazing, bullying, and attempts at intimidation of students shall be dealt with severely.
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.
DISCIPLINE OF STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
Discipline of students with disabilities shall be in accordance with applicable statutes or federal law and regulations.
DEFINITIONS
Suspension shall mean that student is temporarily prohibited from participating in his/her usual placement within school. This usually involves temporary removal from school.
In-school suspension shall mean (1) student is removed from his/her usual classroom placement to an alternative educational placement for a minimum of one complete school day, and (2) no interruption of services occurs. (An alternative educational placement may be located on or off the school site, provided that the student continues to receive instructional services and remains under the supervision of school personnel or their designees.)
Detention shall mean activities, assignments, or work held before the normal school day, after the normal school day, or on weekends. Failure or refusal by a student to participate in assigned detention shall subject the student to immediate suspension. Assignments, activities, or work which may be assigned during detention include, but are not limited to, counseling, homework assignments, behavior modification program, or other activities aimed at improving the self-esteem of the student.
Expulsion shall mean the removal of a student from school for at least one school semester.
In-school expulsion shall mean (1) Student is temporarily removed from his/her usual classroom placement to an alternative educational placement for a period of time specified by the Office of Child Welfare and Attendance, and (2) no interruption of instructional services occurs. (An alternative educational placement may be located on or off the school site, provided that the student continues to receive instructional services and remains under the supervision of school personnel of their designees.)
Revised: December, 1990 Revised: August, 1999
Revised: December, 1992 Revised: August, 2003
Revised: November, 1993 Revised: September, 2009
Revised: August, 1994 Revised: November, 2009
Revised: September, 1997 Revised: November, 2012
Revised: June, 1999
Ref: 42 USCA 12112 et seq. (Equal Opportunity for Individuals with Disabilities); La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§17:223, 17:224, 17:233, 17:239, 17:252, 17:416, 17:416.1, 17:416.13; Regulations for Implementation of the Exceptional Children's Act, Bulletin 1706, Louisiana Department of Education; Board minutes, 5-11-99, 9-4-03, 10-1-09, 10-6-09.
SUSPENSION
The Vernon Parish School Board recognizes its authority to maintain good order and discipline within the schools of the school district. Therefore, the Board recognizes the principal's authority to suspend a pupil for a specified period of time in accordance with statutory provisions. The term of suspension may carry over into the next school year, when necessary, unless otherwise provided for in state statutes.
In each case of suspension, the school principal, or his or her designee, prior to any suspension, shall advise the student of the particular misconduct of which he/she is accused as well as the basis for such accusation, and the pupil shall be given an opportunity at that time to explain his/her version of the facts. The principal/designee shall contact the parent, tutor, or legal guardian of the pupil to notify them of the suspension, 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 contacting the parent, tutor, or legal guardian by telephone at the telephone number shown on the pupil's registration card, or by sending a certified letter to the address shown on the pupil's registration card. The principal shall promptly advise the Superintendent or designee of all such suspensions, stating the reasons for the suspensions.
Students suspended for more than ten (10) days shall remain under the supervision of the school system using an alternative education program designed to continue the educational process in an alternative educational placement. The student shall be placed in an alternative school or an alternative education program and shall be required to attend and participate in such school, program, or educational services.
No suspended pupil shall be allowed to leave the school premises during the school day until the parent, guardian, or other proper authorities assume responsibility for him/her, unless immediate removal from school due to danger or threat of disruption to academic process is warranted.
If the parent, tutor, or legal guardian fails to attend the required conference within five (5) school days of notification, the truancy laws shall be effective. On not more than one occasion each school year when the parent, tutor, or legal guardian refuses to respond to the notice, 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/her designee shall file a complaint, in accordance with statutory provisions, with a court exercising juvenile jurisdiction.
When a pupil is suspended for a second time within one school year, the principal may require a counseling session be held with the parent and pupil by the school counselor. If no counselor is available, the conference may be held with all the pupil's teachers and the principal or other administrator.
Any student, after being suspended on three (3) occasions for committing drugs or weapons offenses 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.
The principal and other appropriate personnel shall be required to file written documentation of all suspensions. Said documentation shall include the circumstances surrounding any suspension, the reason for suspension, and any other pertinent facts concerning the disciplinary action. The principal shall file copies of his/her report with the Superintendent, other appropriate personnel and the parent or guardian and retain a copy for his/her records.
Upon the seizure by any teacher, principal, school security guard, or other school administrator of any firearm, knife, or other dangerous implement which could be used as a weapon or inflict injury, the principal or his or her designee shall be required to report the confiscation to appropriate law enforcement officials. (Moved from below)
Appeal
Any parent, tutor, or legal guardian of a pupil suspended shall have the right to appeal to the Superintendent or his/her designee, who shall conduct a hearing on the merits. If the parent or legal guardian is not present for the hearing after having been properly notified, the hearing may proceed and the results of the hearing shall be mailed to the parent or legal guardian within three (3) school days by certified mail, return receipt requested. The decision of the Superintendent on the merits of the case, as well as the term of suspension, shall be final, reserving to the Superintendent the right to remit any portion of the time of suspension.
MANDATORY SUSPENSION
Firearms, Knives, Other Dangerous Instrumentalities, Drugs
The principal shall be required to suspend a pupil who:
1. is found carrying or possessing a firearm or a knife with a blade two (2) inches or longer, or another dangerous instrumentality, except as provided below under the section entitled Suspension Not Applicable; or
2. possesses, distributes, sells, gives, or loans any controlled dangerous substance governed by state law, in any form.
Additionally, the principal shall immediately recommend the pupil's expulsion to the Superintendent, for the above offenses, except in the case of a student less than eleven (11) years of age in pre-kindergarten through grade 5 who is found carrying or possessing a knife with a blade two (2) inches or longer, the principal may, but shall not be required to recommend the student's expulsion. A student found carrying or possessing a knife with a blade less than two (2) inches in length may be suspended by the school principal, but, in appropriate cases, at a minimum, shall be placed in in-school suspension.
Assault or Battery of School Employees
Whenever a pupil is formally accused of violating state law or school disciplinary regulations, or both, by committing assault or battery on any school employee, the principal shall suspend the pupil from school immediately and the pupil shall be removed immediately from the school premises without the benefit of required procedures, provided, however, that such procedures shall follow as soon as practicable. The student shall not be readmitted to the school to which the employee is assigned until all hearings and appeals associated with the alleged violation have been exhausted.
SUSPENSION NOT APPLICABLE
Suspension of a student 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.
CREDIT FOR SCHOOL WORK MISSED
A student who is suspended for ten (10) days or fewer shall be assigned school work missed while he/she is suspended and shall receive either partial or full credit for such work if it is completed satisfactorily and timely as determined by the principal or his/her designee, upon the recommendation of the student’s teacher.
A student who is suspended for more than ten (10) days and receives educational services at an alternative school site, shall be assigned work by a certified teacher and shall receive credit for school work if it is completed satisfactorily and timely as determined by the teacher. Such work shall be aligned with the curriculum used at the school from which the student is suspended.
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.
SUSPENSION OF STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
Suspension of students with disabilities shall be in accordance with applicable state or federal law and regulations.
Revised: December, 1992 Revised: September, 2006
Revised: August, 1994 Revised: August, 2007
Revised: December, 1995 Revised: September, 2009
Revised: July, 1996 Revised: November, 2012
Revised: September, 1997
Revised: August, 1999
Revised: August, 2003
Revised: August, 2005
Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. ''17:223, 17:416, 17:416.1, 17:416.2, 17:416.3; Goss v. Lopez, 95 S.Ct. 729 (1973); Regulations for Implementation of the Exceptional Children's Act, Bulletin 1706, Louisiana Department of Education; Board minutes, 9-4-03, 9-6-05, 10-10-06, 10-4-07.
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, the Superintendent shall place the student in an alternative school or in an alternative educational placement.
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.
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 drugs or weapons offenses 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 term or condition of the agreement. 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 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 orreadmitted to any such school on a probationary basis prior to the completion of the period of expulsion until the pupil 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 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.
CREDIT FOR SCHOOL WORK MISSED
A student who is expelled and receives educational services at an alternative school site shall be assigned work by a certified teacher and shall receive credit for school work if it is completed satisfactorily and timely as determined by the teacher. Such work shall be aligned with the curriculum used at the school from which the student was expelled.
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: September, 2009
Revised: July, 1996 Revised: November, 2012
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. ''17:223, 17:416, 17:416.1, 17:416.2, 17:2092; Goss v. Lopez, 95. S.Ct. 729 (1973); Regulations for Implementation of the Exceptional Children's Act, Bulletin 1706, Louisiana Department of Education; Board minutes, 9-4-03, 10-4-07, 10-7-08, 10-6-09.
CHILD ABUSE
The Vernon Parish School Board shall endeavor to ensure that all instances of child abuse and/or neglect are reported in accordance with appropriate state and local laws and regulations. Therefore, the School Board directs that all school personnel be informed of their responsibilities under law as mandatory reporters when performing their occupational duties.
DEFINITIONS
Abuse means any one of the following acts which seriously endanger the physical, mental, or emotional health of the child:
1. The infliction, attempted infliction, or, as a result of inadequate supervision, the allowance of the infliction or attempted infliction of physical or mental injury upon the child by a parent or any other person.
2. The exploitation or overwork of a child by a parent or any other person.
3. The involvement of the child in any sexual act with a parent or any other person, or the aiding or toleration by the parent or the caretaker of the child's sexual involvement with any other person or of the child's involvement in pornographic displays, or any other involvement of a child in sexual activity constituting a crime under the laws of this state.
Caretaker means any person legally obligated to provide or secure adequate care for a child, including a parent, tutor, guardian, legal custodian, foster home parent, an employee of a public or private day care center, an operator or employee of a registered family child day care home, or other person providing a residence for the child.
Child, for purposes of child abuse, is defined as a person under eighteen (18) years of age, who prior to juvenile proceedings, has not been judicially emancipated or emancipated by marriage.
A mandatory reporter is any person considered to be a teaching or child care provider performing their occupational duties, such as any person who provides or assists in the teaching, training, or supervision of a child, including any public or private teacher, teacher’s aide, instructional aide, school principal, school staff member, bus driver, coach, social worker, or any individual who provides such services to a child in a voluntary or professional capacity.
Neglect means the refusal or willful failure of a parent or caretaker to supply the child with necessary food, clothing, shelter, care, treatment, or counseling for any injury, illness, or condition of the child, as a result of which the child's physical, mental, or emotional health is substantially threatened or impaired. In accordance with statutory provisions, the inability of a parent or caretaker to provide for a child due to inadequate financial resources shall not, for that reason alone, be considered neglect. Whenever, in lieu of medical care, a child is being provided treatment in accordance with the tenets of a well-recognized religious method of healing which has a reasonable, proven record of success, the child shall not, for that reason alone, be considered to be neglected or maltreated. However, nothing herein shall prohibit the court from ordering medical services for the child when there is substantial risk of harm to the child's health or welfare.
PROCEDURE FOR REPORTING CHILD ABUSE/NEGLECT
Any mandatory reporter, notwithstanding any claim of privileged communication, who has cause to believe that a child's physical or mental health or welfare is endangered as a result of abuse or neglect, as defined by this policy, or that abuse or neglect was a contributing factor in a child's death, shall report immediately suspected abuse/neglect in accordance with the following:
1. The mandatory reporter having the information shall contact the principal or designee immediately. The principal or other supervising employee shall immediately:
A. When the suspected abuser is believed to be a parent or caretaker, make the report to the Department of Children and Family Services through the designated state child protection reporting hotline telephone number.
B. When the abuse or neglect is believed to be perpetrated by someone other than a parent or caretaker, and a parent or caretaker is not believed to have any responsibility for the abuse or neglect, make the report to a local or state law enforcement agency.
2. If the initial report was in oral form, it shall be followed by a written report on the approved form, which written report shall be delivered within five (5) days to the local child protection agency or the local law enforcement agency to whom the initial report was made.
3. The principal, assistant principal, or other supervisory employee to whom the initial reporter gave the report shall have the primary responsibility of reporting the information to the appropriate agency as herein provided. The teacher or other Board employee who was the initial reporter is not relieved of responsibility, however, and to ensure that the report is delivered to the appropriate agency as required by law, the principal/designee/supervisory employee shall confer with the initial reporting employee and confirm that the report was made to the appropriate agency. If the principal/designee/ supervisory employee fails or refuses to make a required report, the initial reporting employee shall make the required report to the appropriate agency and shall, within five (5) days of filing the required written report file a confidential report of the entire matter in writing with the Superintendent.
The report shall contain the following information, if known:
A. The name, address, age, sex, and race of the child.
B. The nature, extent, and cause of the child's injuries or endangered condition, including any previous known or suspected abuse to this child or the child's siblings.
C. The name and address of the child's parent(s) or other caretaker.
D. The names and all the ages of all other members of the child's household.
E. The name and address of the reporter.
F. An account of how this child came to the reporter's attention.
G. Any explanation of the cause of the child's injury or condition offered by the child, the caretaker, or any other person.
H. The number of times the reporter has filed a report on the child or the child’s siblings.
I. Any other information which the reporter believes might be important or relevant.
The report shall also name the person or persons who are thought to have caused or contributed to the child's condition, if known, and the report shall contain the name of such person if he/she is named by the child.
If the initial report was in oral form by a mandatory reporter, it shall be followed by a written report made within five (5) days to the local child protection unit, or if necessary, to the local law enforcement agency.
INVESTIGATION OF REPORTS
Admission of the investigator on school premises or access to the child in school shall not be denied by school officials.
ALLEGATION AGAINST SCHOOL EMPLOYEES OR VOLUNTEERS
When an employee is accused of the use of impermissible corporal punishment or moral offenses involving students, the principal shall initiate an investigation (see procedures under policy GAMC, Employee Investigations). If the offender is a central office employee, or principal, the immediate supervisor will initiate an investigation.
Upon any school employee receiving a report of, or information about, child abuse, against another school employee or volunteer, and the employee receiving said information has cause to believe the truthfulness thereof, the reporting procedure as outlined in this policy shall be followed, depending upon whether the employee or volunteer is considered a caretaker or someone other than a caretaker.
The school employee shall also, as soon as reasonably possible, notify the appropriate immediate supervisor of the accused individual, and that supervisor in turn will as soon as reasonably possible, notify the Superintendent or designee. The Superintendent and the Board's attorney will determine what appropriate action the school system may take over and above the investigation being conducted by the appropriate state agency. In any incident involving an employee or volunteer which is reported to the Superintendent or designee, the person shall be removed from all activities involving direct contact with students until the matter is resolved.
ALLEGATIONS OF SEXUAL OFFENSES
The Superintendent or his/her designee shall be required to notify the local law enforcement agency of any allegation made by a student of the commission of a sex offense as defined by La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §15:541. Such notification shall be made by the Superintendent or his/her designee within twenty-four (24) hours of the time the student notified the Superintendent or other appropriate personnel. Any school employee who receives information from a student concerning the possible commission of a sexual offense shall immediately inform the Superintendent and/or his/her designee.
CONFIDENTIALITY
The circumstances and information of the initial report, the fact that a report was made to an agency, and the written report shall be held in confidence and shall not be disseminated to third parties other than those persons or agencies designated by this policy or required by state law. Any written report or other written information regarding the report shall be kept in a confidential file separate from the child's routine school records and accessible only by the principal/designee/supervisory employee or by court order.
INSERVICE TRAINING
At the beginning of each school year, each principal shall provide mandated inservice training for mandatory reporters and other school personnel and volunteers on how to recognize and report suspected child abuse or child neglect. Each employee and volunteer shall sign a form indicating he/she has received and understands the guidelines for reporting child abuse/neglect.
IMMUNITY FROM LIABILITY
Any person who in good faith makes a report, cooperates in any investigation arising as a result of such report, or participates in judicial proceedings authorized under the Louisiana Children's Code shall have immunity from civil or criminal liability that otherwise might be incurred or imposed. This immunity, however, does not extend to (1) a person who participates in or conspires with a participant or an accessory to an offense involving the abuse or neglect of a child; (2) any person who makes a report known to be false or with reckless disregard for the truth of the report.
LIABILITY
The Louisiana Children's Code and Louisiana criminal law provide substantial penalties for mandatory reporters who fail to report facts which would support a reasonable belief that child abuse or neglect has occurred. Additionally, educators or other employees of the Vernon Parish School Board who fail or refuse to report child abuse/neglect as provided by law or by this policy may be subject to disciplinary and/or dismissal proceedings for neglect of duty.
Revised: November, 2003
Revised: September, 2004
Revised: November, 2007
Revised: November, 2012
Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. ''14:403, 15:539, 17:81.6; La. Children's Code, Title VI, Art. 601, 603, 609, 610; Board minutes, 12-4-03, 10-12-04, 12-6-07.
Superintendent Self presented Board President Michael Perkins with a plaque and thanked him for his service and dedication as Board President for 2012. President Perkins thanked the Board for their support and congratulated Mrs. Gleason, Vernon Parish School Board President for 2013.
Vernon Travis reported that the Finance Committee had met and Tim Ward discussed budget revision for 2012-2013. Adjustments were minimal and increases were mainly due to stipend given to all employees. There is an increase in Sales Tax Revenues. On motion of Vernon Travis, seconded by Doug Brandon, the Board unanimously approved budgets as presented.
VERNON PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING
December 11, 2012
FISCAL YEAR 2012-2013
BUDGET ADJUSTMENTS
FUND CURRENT INCREASE REVISED
NUMBER BUDGET ( DECREASE) BUDGET
141 Early Childhood $204,175 (49,870) $154,305
The FY 2012 grant award allocation for Rapides Foundation was received in the amount of $154,305. The original budget was an estimate and is being reduced by $49,870.
142 Rapides Healthy Behaviors $16,250 3,500 $19,750
We received a supplement for Rapides Healthy Behaviors in the amount of $3,500. This is increased the grant to $19,750.
143 Rapides Playground Equip $0 22,560 $22,560
The FY 2012 grant award allocation for Rapides Playground Equipment was received in the amount of $22,560. This is a new grant that was not budgeted.
241 LA4 TANF $662,904 (233,583) $429,321
The FY 2012 grant award allocation for Education Jobs Grant-Supplement was received in the amount of $429,321. The LA4 grant was reallocated where the main source of funds is now CDBG
.
244 Indian Education $28,637 3,082 $31,719
A supplement was received to Indian Education in the amount of $3,082.
246 LA4-CDBG $742,542 327,334 $1,069,876
The LA4 grant was reallocated and CDBG became the major funding source for LA4 this year.
FUND CURRENT INCREASE REVISED
NUMBER BUDGET ( DECREASE) BUDGET
247 JAG Middle School $65,569 4,431 $70,000
The grant award for JAG Middle School was received in the amount of $70,000.
532 Extended Summer $25,790 10,737 $36,527
The grant award for Extended Summer was received in the amount of $36,527.
533 LA4 State $298,845 (125,551) $173,294
The grant award for LA4 state was reallocated to CDBG in the amount of $125,551.
534 Non Public Textbooks $0 4,093 $4,093
The grant award for Non Public Textbooks was received in the amount of $4,093. This a new award and was not budgeted.
582 Education Excellence $178,719 153,857 $332,576
The grant award for Education Excellence was received in the amount of $332,576.
615 Title III $11,343 10,855 $22,198
The grant award for Title III was received in the amount of $22,198 which is an increase of $10,855 over what was budgeted.
104 SALES TAX FUND
REVENUE $18,498,821 0 $18,498,821
EXPENDITURES 18,166,141 (4,305) 18,161,836
EXCESS(DEFICIENCY)
OF REVENUE 332,679 4,305 336,985
FUND BAL: BEGINNING 1,296,825 0 1,296,825
FUND BAL: ENDING 1,629,504 4,305 1,633,810
An adjustment was made to the Sales Tax Fund to decrease expenditures by $4,305.
FUND CURRENT INCREASE REVISED
NUMBER BUDGET ( DECREASE) BUDGET
501 WARD ONE MAINT
REVENUE $725,700 0 $725,700
EXPENDITURES 620,967 10,172 631,139
EXCESS(DEFICIENCY)
OF REVENUE 104,733 (10,172) 94,561
FUND BAL: BEGINNING 875,224 0 875,224
FUND BAL: ENDING $979,957 (10,172) $969,785
An adjustment was made to Ward One Maintenance to increase expenses by $10,172 due increased current year expenses.
509 WARD EIGHT MAINT
REVENUE $40,809 0 $40,809
EXPENDITURES 39,931 1,508 41,439
EXCESS(DEFICIENCY)
OF REVENUE 879 (1,508) (629)
FUND BAL: BEGINNING 10,145 0 10,145
FUND BAL: ENDING 11,024 (1,508) $8,637
An adjustment was made to Ward Eight Maintenance to increase expenses by $1,508 due to an increase in current year expenses.
510 LUNCH FUND
REVENUE $6,332,584 0 $6,332,584
EXPENDITURES 6,430,643 77,274 6,507,917
EXCESS(DEFICIENCY)
OF REVENUE (98,059) (77,274) (175,333)
FUND BAL: BEGINNING 243,884 0 243,884
FUND BAL: ENDING $145,825 (77,274) $68,551
An adjustment was made to the Lunch Fund to increase expenditures by $77,274 to reflect increases in current year expenses.
FUND CURRENT INCREASE REVISED
NUMBER BUDGET ( DECREASE) BUDGET
514 EVANS PROCESSING PLANT
REVENUE $42,068 0 $42,068
EXPENDITURES 42,123 (908) 41,215
EXCESS(DEFICIENCY)
OF REVENUE (55) 908 853
FUND BAL: BEGINNING 678 0 678
FUND BAL: ENDING $623 908 $1,531
An adjustment was made to the Evans Processing Plant Fund to decrease expenditures by $908 due to decreased spending.
|
GENERAL OPERATING FUND |
|
|
||
|
REVISED BUDGET |
|
|
||
|
DECEMBER, 2012 |
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
REVENUE AND OTHER |
|
|
|
|
|
FINANCING SOURCES |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LOCAL |
|
$ 14,055,133 |
|
|
|
STATE |
|
56,365,954 |
|
|
|
FEDERAL |
|
7,547,307 |
|
|
|
OTHER SOURCES |
|
630,186 |
|
|
|
TOTAL - REVENUES |
|
$ 78,598,581 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
EXPENDITURES AND |
|
|
|
|
|
OTHER FINANCING USES |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
REGULAR INSTRUCTION |
|
$34,196,476 |
|
|
|
SPECIAL EDUCATION |
|
10,085,376 |
|
|
|
VOCATIONAL PROGRAMS |
|
1,867,531 |
|
|
|
OTHER INSTRUCTIONAL |
|
861,001 |
|
|
|
SPECIAL PROGRAMS |
|
202,019 |
|
|
|
PUPIL SUPPORT |
|
4,446,583 |
|
|
|
INSTRUCTIONAL STAFF |
|
2,881,197 |
|
|
|
GENERAL ADMINISTRATION |
|
1,403,123 |
|
|
|
SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION |
|
5,924,937 |
|
|
|
BUSINESS SERVICES |
|
535,952 |
|
|
|
MAINTENANCE OF PLANT |
|
6,695,892 |
|
|
|
STUDENT TRANSPORTATION |
|
6,527,611 |
|
|
|
CENTRAL SERVICES |
|
720,955 |
|
|
|
FOOD SERVICES |
|
445,254 |
|
|
|
COMMUNITY SERVICES |
|
21,789 |
|
|
|
OTHER USES OF FUNDS |
|
2,384,928 |
|
|
|
TOTAL - EXPENDITURES |
|
$79,200,624 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
EXCESS OF REVENUES OR |
|
|
|
|
|
(EXPENDITURES) |
|
(602,043) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FUND BALANCE: |
|
|
|
|
|
BEGINNING |
|
15,792,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ENDING FUND BALANCE |
|
15,189,956 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
On motion of Gerald Cooley, seconded by John Blankenbaker, the Board voted to approve budget amendments related to personnel changes.
On motion of Vernon Travis, seconded by Randy Martin, the Board voted to authorize the president and secretary to pay the claims.
In other business, Superintendent Self stated that maintenance taxes passed in Hicks, Simpson, Pickering and Pitkin and expressed his appreciation on behalf of the Board to these communities for their support.
Superintendent Self also stated that the Vernon Parish School Board received an 18.3 million dollar grant to construct a new school on post. The new South Polk Elementary will house grades one through four and will be adjacent to the VA Building on Highway 467.
President Perkins also asked Superintendent Self to write a resolution of appreciation to Senator Landrieu for her support with the funding.
On motion of Randy Martin, 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 sympathy to the family of Meg Bartlett who recently passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Bartlett was the sister-in-law of former District Four Board Member Murphy O’Banion; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Bartlett was a resident of Pueblo, Colorado and she will be sadly missed by her family and friends; 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.
There being no further business, on motion of Mike Perkins, seconded by the Board, the meeting was adjourned.
______________________________
MICHAEL PERKINS, PRESIDENT
ATTEST:
______________________________
JACKIE D. SELF, SUPERINTENDENT