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08-05-2003 |
DATE, TIME, PLACE OF MEETING
The Calcasieu Parish School Board met in the Conference Room of the Calcasieu Parish School Board located at 1732 Kirkman Street, Lake Charles, Louisiana, on Tuesday, August 5, at 5:00 p.m. Gregory Robert, President, called the meeting to order. Dr. Stephens led the prayer; Ms. LaVergne led the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL
The roll was called and the following members were present: Joe A. Andrepont, Billy Breaux, Dale B. Bernard, Clara F. Duhon, Jay L. Duhon, John M. Falgout, Rev. J.L. Franklin, James W. Karr, Sr., Bryan LaRocque, Sheral A. LaVergne, James W. Pitre, Gregory P. Robert, Dr. Edward Stephens, and R.L. Webb.
Philip Tarver was absent.
MINUTES APPROVED
On motion by Mr. Andrepont, seconded by Mr. Webb and unanimously carried, the minutes of the regular meeting of July 22, 2003, were approved as presented.
Supplemental Agenda
By general consent the Supplemental Agenda was included as part of the regular agenda.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Employee Benefits Committee
Mr. Breaux, Acting Chairman, reported that the Calcasieu Parish School Board Employee Benefits Committee met in the Conference Room of the Calcasieu Parish School Board at 1732 Kirkman Street, Lake Charles, Louisiana, on Thursday, July 24, 2003, at 4:45 p.m. A quorum was present.
Mr. Breaux reported that Mr. Dross with Mercer Human Resource Consulting Company presented a survey on retiree medical plans of employers nationwide. The trend indicated a steady decline with approximately 30% offering medical and 70% not offering retirees medical insurance. Eligibility for employer contribution to retiree health insurance premium was based on age and years of service in the plan or a combination of both with a point system. The pros and cons of grand fathering were also discussed.
Pros: · Minimizes disruption for those who have no other alternative plans available and no time to plan for alternatives. · Avoids unwanted retirements just prior to effective date. · Assists with retention. · May help with retirement patterns. Cons: · Reduces cost savings. · Introduces administrative complexities.
Mr. Breaux reported that discussion focused on the current premium structure in place for employees’ health insurance at retirement. The CPSB pays 62% retirees’ health insurance premium and 50% of spouse/dependent’s premium without regards to years of participation in the health insurance plan.
The committee discussed a new premium structure under which the CPSB would pay 0% of the premiums for employees who retire with less than 1 year’s participation in the health insurance plan; 16% of the retiree’s premium and 12% of spouse/dependents premium for those with at least 1 year but less than 10 years in the health insurance plan; 32% of retiree’s premium and 25% for spouse/dependent’s with at least 10 years but less than 15 years in the health insurance plan; 47% for retirees and 38% for spouse/dependents premium for those with at least 15 years but less than 20 years in the health insurance plan when they retire; and 62% for retirees and 50% for spouse/dependents who have been in the plan for at least 20 years.
A motion was made and carried recommending that employees and spouses/dependents that are in, or join, the CPSB health insurance by December 30, 2003, remain under the current 62%/50% premium structure. Mr. Breaux moved on behalf of the committee to approve the recommendation. The motion carried.
Mr. Breaux reported that the discussion of the Group Benefits currently being offered to employees was deferred until the next committee meeting. Mr. Breaux stated that the meeting previously scheduled for Tuesday, August 12, 2003, at 4:45 p.m. has been postponed. The meeting date will be announced later. Mr. Breaux reported that there being no further business to discuss the meeting was adjourned.
TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION
Resolution Adopting the Preliminary Statement of School District Number 22 Bonds Lake Charles, Louisiana August 5, 2003
The Parish School Board of Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana, met in regular public session at 5:00 o’clock p.m. on Tuesday, August 5, 2003, at the regular meeting place of said Board in the Calcasieu Parish School Board Office Building, 1732 Kirkman Street, Lake Charles, Louisiana, pursuant to the provisions of written notice given to each and every member thereof and duly posted in the manner required by law.
President Gregory P. Robert, called the meeting to order and on roll call, the following members were present:
Joe A. Andrepont, Dale B. Bernard, Billy Breaux, Clara F. Duhon, Jay L. Duhon, John M. Falgout, Rev. J. L. Franklin, James W. Karr, Sr., Bryan LaRocque, Sheral A. LaVergne, James W. Pitre, Gregory P. Robert, Dr. Edward Stephens, and R. W. Webb
ABSENT: Philip Tarver
The meeting was called to order and the roll called with the above result. The following resolution was thereupon introduced, and pursuant to motion made by Mr. Pitre and seconded by Mr. Falgout, was adopted by the following vote:
YEAS: Mr. Andrepont, Mr. Bernard, Mr. Breaux, Mrs. Duhon, Mr. Duhon, Mr. Falgout, Rev. Franklin, Mr. Karr, Mr. LaRocque, Ms. LaVergne, Mr. Pitre, Dr. Stephens, and Mr. Webb
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Mr. Tarver
NOT VOTING: President Robert
RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION ADOPTING THE PRELIMINARY DRAFT OF THE OFFICIAL STATEMENT TO BE PROVIDED THE INITIAL PURCHASER(S) OF NOT EXCEEDING $3,000,000 GENERAL OBLIGATION REFUNDING BONDS OF SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 22 OF CALCASIEU PARISH, LOUISIANA, 2003 SERIES; AUTHORIZING ITS DISTRIBUTION TO PROSPECTIVE BIDDERS FOR THE BONDS; AND AUTHORIZING, APPROVING AND DIRECTING THE TAKING OF ALL OTHER ACTIONS NECESSARY TO THE CONSUMMATION OF THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS RESOLUTION.
WHEREAS, on April 15, 2003, the Calcasieu Parish School Board authorized School District No. 22 of Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana (the “Issuer”), to proceed with a current refunding of the Issuer’s outstanding $3,345,000 General Obligation Refunding Bonds, 1993 Series C, dated February 1, 1994 on original issue (the “Prior Bonds”); and
WHEREAS, on June 19, 2003, the Louisiana State Bond Commission granted authority for issuance of not exceeding $3,000,000 General Obligation Refunding Bonds of the Issuer, 2003 Series (the “Bonds”), for the purpose of providing funds to currently refund the Prior Bonds; and
WHEREAS, the sale of the Bonds will be held on August 19, 2003; and
WHEREAS, the Calcasieu Parish School Board must distribute to prospective bidders for the initial sale of the Bonds certain information to aid and assist those persons or institutions interested in bidding for the Bonds, in the form of a Preliminary Official Statement;
WHEREAS, an Official Statement must be provided to the successful bidder (initial purchaser of the Bonds) by the Calcasieu Parish School Board, which said Official Statement must contain not only all of the pertinent information which a prospective bidder requires but also information not yet available; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary or desirable to designate by resolution, (i) the Preliminary Official Statement as the “near final official statement” within the meaning of Rule 15c2-12 of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Rule”) and to approve the form and distribution thereof, and (ii) the individual who, for and on behalf of this Board and School District No. 22, would make such a decision.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Parish School Board of Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana, as the governing authority of School District No. 22 of Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana as follows:
SECTION 1. Approval and Designation. There is hereby delegated to the Chief Financial Officer authority to designate the form of the Preliminary Official Statement, with such revisions, additions and appendices thereto as he may deem necessary, in his discretion, as the “near final official statement” within the meaning of the Rule. Such form, when so approved by the Chief Financial Officer, is hereby authorized to be distributed to prospective purchasers of the Bonds.
SECTION 2. Final Official Statement. The Official Statement shall describe the final terms of the Bonds approved by the resolution of the Calcasieu Parish School Board authorizing issuance thereof and shall constitute the “final official statement” within the meaning of the Rule.
SECTION 3. Ratification. All actions heretofore taken by the Calcasieu Parish School Board and by the officers thereof or on their behalf, not inconsistent herewith directed toward preparation and delivery of the Preliminary Official Statement are hereby ratified, approved and confirmed.
SECTION 4. The Preliminary Official Statement. The preliminary draft of the Official Statement (a copy of which is on file in the office of the Superintendent of Schools of Calcasieu Parish) is hereby approved and adopted and copies thereof shall be distributed to prospective bidders for the Bonds.
SECTION 5. Other Matters. By the passage of this resolution, the Board does not intend to approve, nor is it approving hereby, any matters otherwise relating to execution and issuance of the Bonds.
SECTION 6. Severability. If any paragraph, clause, section or provision of this resolution is judicially adjudged invalid or unenforceable, such judgment shall not affect, impair or invalidate the remaining paragraphs, clauses, sections or provisions hereof.
SECTION 7. Repealer. All resolutions, ordinances, or orders in conflict herewith, be, to the extent of such conflict, and they are hereby repealed.
APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 5th day of August 2003.
/s/ Gregory P. Robert GREGORY P. ROBERT, President Calcasieu Parish School Board
ATTEST: /s/ Jude W. Theriot JUDE W. THERIOT, Secretary
(Other business not pertinent to the above appears in the minutes of the meeting.) Pursuant to motion duly made and carried, the Parish School Board adjourned.
/s/ Gregory P. Robert GREGORY P. ROBERT, President Calcasieu Parish School Board
ATTEST:
/s/ Jude W. Theriot JUDE W. THERIOT, Secretary
STATE OF LOUISIANA
PARISH OF CALCASIEU
I, JUDE W. THERIOT, do hereby certify that I am the duly qualified and appointed Secretary of the Calcasieu Parish School Board, the governing authority of School District No. 22 of Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana. I further certify that the above and foregoing is a true and correct copy of an excerpt from the minutes of a meeting of the Calcasieu Parish School Board held on August 5, 2003, insofar as said minutes pertain to the matters therein set out, and that the foregoing resolutions are true and correct copies of the original resolutions adopted at said meeting as they appear officially of record in my possession. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, witness my official signature and the impress of the official seal of the Calcasieu Parish School Board, governing authority of School District No. 22 of Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana, on this 5th day of August 2003. _____________________________ JUDE W. THERIOT, Secretary
Final Action – Policy JD-R, Violence Prevention Program, Zero Tolerance
Mr. Andrepont made a motion, seconded by Mr. Breaux, to approve Policy File: JD-R, Violence Prevention Program – Zero Tolerance.
There was concern expressed relative to the increase of the bond from $250.00 to $500.00.
Mr. Robert recognized Mary Morris, a concerned citizen. Ms. Morris requested that the Board support counseling in the lower grades in an attempt to prevent conflicts in the middle and high schools.
After a brief discussion, Mr. Robert called for a vote on the motion. The motion carried with one nay by Rev. Franklin.
The policy states: FILE: JD-R Cf: JD, JDD Cf: JDE, JDF Cf: JD-R-AP VIOLENCE PREVENTION PROGRAM – ZERO TOLERANCE
The Calcasieu Parish School Board in implementing the Violence Prevention Program, requires that student aggressors be arrested by law enforcement officers when school officials determine that a fight has occurred on campus, at extra-curricular activities, on school buses and at school bus stops.
The Violence Prevention Program shall be preventive in nature, and is intended to ensure that schools will be a safe haven for all students. Parents can be assured that every precaution will be taken to keep their children safe, and to prevent violent acts from occurring at our schools.
PROGRAM PROVISIONS
Students involved in a fight that has occurred on campus, at extracurricular activities, on school buses, or at school bus stops shall be arrested and taken into custody (removed from campus), and a cash bond of $250 shall be required to release the student from custody. Parents unable to afford a cash bond must agree to make weekly payments of $25. These students shall also be required to attend conflict resolution sessions. Upon completion of the classes, parents will be refunded 80% of the bond; the balance being applied to court costs and conflict resolution classes.
Some cases may be accepted by the District Attorney’s Office for referral to court. Students will be suspended and/or expelled from school if found guilty. Students involved in other cases accepted for pre-trial intervention will be ordered to perform services in school projects under school personnel supervision.
Revised: September 1997
Ref: LA Rev. Stat. Ann. 17:81; 17:223; `7:416.1; Board minutes, 6-4-98; 8-5-97
Calcasieu Parish
Final Action – X. Bullying
On motion by Mr. Andrepont, seconded by Mr. Breaux and carried, Policy: X, Bullyingwas approved. The policy states:
X. BULLYING
The School Board recognizes that peer bullying is a form of harassment and can contribute to an unacceptable educational environment. The School Board, therefore, will note tolerate bullying on the part of any student toward another student.
Bullying is defined as a pattern of behavior that is directly or indirectly focused towards another student to alter or control the student’s behavior in a detrimental manner through actions which are emotional, verbal, written, sexual, racist, or physical. Bullying does not depend solely upon the perpetrator’s intention, but also upon how the targeted person perceives the behavior and is affected by the behavior.
Formal Procedures for Student-to-Student Bullying Complaints
Upon receipt of a complaint of bullying, the school principal or his/her designee will:
STEP 1) Within three (3) school days: thoroughly investigate the complaint; apply appropriate disciplinary action; and provide notice of the disposition of the complaint and appeal process to the involved students and their guardians.
STEP 2) In the event any party is not satisfied with the disposition of the complaint at Step 1, that party may appeal to the appropriated Assistant Superintendent/ Administrative Director. The appeal shall be in writing on the designated appeal form and delivered to the appropriate Assistant Superintendent/Administrative Director within five (5) school days following notice of disposition.
STEP 3) The Assistant Superintendent/Administrative Director shall within ten (10) school days, investigate and meet with the concerned parties. Disposition shall be made no later than five (5) school days following conclusion of the investigation. Notice of the disposition shall be furnished to the appropriate parties.
STEP 4) In the event the concerned parties are not satisfied with the disposition of the appeal at Step 3, they may appeal in writing within five (5) school days to the Superintendent. Within ten (10) school days of receipt of the appeal, the Superintendent or his/her designee shall conduct a review and provide a written disposition to the appropriate parties.
STEP 5) In the event the parties concerned are not satisfied with the disposition of the appeal at Step 4, or if no disposition has been made in Step 4, the concerned parties may appeal to the Calcasieu Parish School Board within five (5) school days. The appeal shall be in writing and shall request that the Superintendent place the concern on the agenda of the next regularly scheduled Board meeting.
All reports received shall be properly and adequately investigated.
Final Action – Policy KG, Use of School Facilities
Mr. Andrepont made a motion, seconded by Mr. Breaux, to approvePolicy KG, Use of School Facilities.
There was discussion and opposition expressed relative to approving the restriction of political campaign material distribution at athletic events.
Mr. Robert called for a vote on the motion. The motion carried with two nays by Mrs. Duhon and Rev. Franklin.
The policy states:Final Action – File II, Testing Program
On motion by Mr. Andrepont, seconded by Mr. Breaux and carried, File II, Testing Program was approved. The policy states:
FILE: II
TESTING PROGRAM
Calcasieu Parish School Board holds the test security policy to be of utmost importance and deems any violations of test security to be serious.
Formal and informal assessment and testing measures are used in Calcasieu Parish schools to provide diagnostic information, to determine grade or program placement, to validate and/or award credits, to assess individual student performance, to assess student group and sub-group performance, to assess instructional program effectiveness, to provide information for counseling students, to provide information for curriculum planning and decision-making, to evaluate grant-awards and/or locally-funded pilot programs, and for student, school, and district accountability measures. Assessment and testing programs in Calcasieu Parish consist of the following types:
a. All criterion-referenced tests (CRTs)
b. All on-level norm-referenced tests (NRTs)
c. All alternate assessments
d. All placement tests
The Calcasieu Parish School Board shall take every precaution to assure that all state and local tests administered within the school system shall be conducted in such a manner so as not to compromise in any way the testing results. Testing materials and procedures, as well as electronic data or computer media related to student testing, shall be properly supervised in strict compliance with regulations outlined by the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education and the Calcasieu Parish School Board. In addition, all secure tests and test documents shall be stored under lock and key at the School Board office when not in use.
TEST SECURITY
1. It shall be a violation of test security for any person to do any of the following:
a. Administer tests in a manner that is inconsistent with the administration instructions provided by the Louisiana Department of Education (LDE) and/or Calcasieu Parish Department of Assessment which would give examinees an unfair advantage or disadvantage.
b. Give examinees access to test questions prior to testing.
c. Examine any test item at any time (except for students during the test, or test administrators while providing the accommodations “Tests Read Aloud” or “Communication Assistance” for students determined to be eligible for those accommodations).
d. Copy, reproduce, or use at any time in any manner inconsistent with test regulations all or part of any secure test booklet, answer document, or supplementary secure materials (e.g., writing prompts, science tasks).
e. Coach examinees in any manner during testing; or alter or interfere with examinees’ responses in any manner; (except that test administrators and/or proctors should monitor during testing and make sure students have test questions and answer documents aligned – especially young primary-age children and/or older students who have difficulty aligning the test booklet with the answer document). Monitoring of older students should be done from the front of classroom if the test administrator is the only adult monitor.
f. Provide answers to students in any manner during the test, including provision of cues, clues, hints, and/or actual answers in any form – written, printed, verbal or nonverbal.
g. Administer published parallel, previously administered or current forms of any statewide or locally-adopted systemwide assessments (e.g. Louisiana Educational Assessment Program for the 21st Century [LEAP 21], Graduation Exit Examination for the 21st Century [GEE 21], Graduation Exit Examination [“old” GEE], LEAP Alternate Assessment [LAA], or Forms K, L, M, and all new forms of The Iowa Tests) as a practice test or study guide.
h. Fail to follow security regulations for distribution and return of secure test booklets, answer documents, supplementary secure materials (e.g., writing prompts, science tasks), as well as overages as directed.
i. Fail to account for and secure test materials before, during, or after testing; all secure materials must be kept in locked storage at both the district and school levels; secure materials must never be left in open areas or unattended.
j. Conduct testing in environments that differ from the usual classroom environment without prior written permission from the Calcasieu Parish Department of Assessment and/or Louisiana Department of Education, Division of Student Standards and Assessments.
k. Fail to report any testing irregularities or discrepancies to the District Test Coordinator; (a testing irregularity or discrepancy is any incident in test handling or administration that leads to a question regarding the security of the test or the accuracy of the test data). The District Test Coordinator must report such incidents to the Calcasieu Superintendent (and to the Louisiana Department of Education (LDE) Division of Student Standards and Assessments if the testing irregularity involves any state testing program).
l. Participate in, direct, aid, counsel, assist in, encourage, or fail to report any of the acts prohibited in this section.
2. A Statement of Assurance regarding the Calcasieu Parish School Board’s test security policy that is in compliance with the State’s test security policy shall be submitted annually to the Louisiana Department of Education, Division of Student Standards and Assessments. This statement shall include the name of the individual designated by the Calcasieu Superintendent to procure test materials.
3. Test materials, including all test booklets, answer documents, supplementary secure materials (e.g., writing prompts, science tasks), video tapes, and completed observation sheets, shall be kept secure and accounted for in accordance with the procedure specified in the assessment program coordinator and/or administrator manuals and other communications provided by the Louisiana Department of Education and/or the Calcasieu Parish Department of Assessment and/or their vendors. Secure test materials include test booklets, answer documents, supplementary secure materials (e.g., writing prompts, science tasks), video tapes, completed observation sheets, all individual student test data in paper and/or electronic format, and all aggregated data of fewer than ten students.
a. All test booklets, answer documents, supplementary secure materials (e.g., writing prompts, science tasks), and test administrator manuals for grades K, 1, and 2 which contain the actual test items shall be kept in a predetermined, secure, locked storage area prior to and after administration of any test. Test administrators are to be given access to the tests only on the day the test is to be administered, and tests are to be retrieved immediately after testing is completed for the day and stored in a locked, secure location each day of testing.
b. All test booklets, answer documents, supplementary secure materials (e.g., writing prompts, science tasks), and test administrator manuals K, 1, 2 which contain actual test items shall be accounted for and written documentation kept by school test coordinators, test administrators, and proctors for each point at which test materials are distributed and returned.
c. Any discrepancies noted in the number or serial numbers of test booklets and answer documents received from contractors for state tests shall be reported to the Director, Division of Student Standards and Assessments (LDE) by the Calcasieu District Test Coordinator prior to the administration of the test.
d. Any discrepancies noted in the number of test booklets and answer documents received by the school shall be reported in writing to the District Test Coordinator by FAX, dated and signed by the School Test Coordinator and the Principal prior to the administration of the test.
e. In the event test booklet/s or answer document/s are determined to be missing while in the possession of the school, the School Test Coordinator, with principal’s signature, shall immediately notify the District Test Coordinator by FAX. The principal and school test coordinator shall investigate the cause of the discrepancy and provide a report of the investigation on a special form provided by the District Test Coordinator at the time of turning in test materials to the District for scoring. If the documents are determined to be missing while in the possession of a test administrator, signed written detailed explanation from the test administrator of events surrounding the missing documents and what was done to find them should be a part of the investigative report. The District Test Coordinator, with assistance of other district administrator/s appointed by the Calcasieu Superintendent, is authorized to conduct additional investigations.
f. In the event state-contracted test booklets or answer documents are determined to be missing while in the possession of the school district, the Test Coordinator shall immediately notify by telephone the Director, Division of Student Standards and Assessments (LDE). The District Test Coordinator shall investigate the cause of the discrepancy and provide the Louisiana Department of Education with a report of the investigation within thirty (30) calendar days of the initiation of the investigation. At a minimum, the report shall include the nature of the situation, the time and place of occurrence, and the names of the persons involved in or witnesses to the occurrence. Officials from the Louisiana Department of Education are authorized to conduct additional investigations.
4. Only trained personnel shall be allowed to have access to or administer any standardized tests. Access to test materials means any contact with or handling the materials, but does not include reviewing test items or analyzing test items, which are prohibited.
5. The Superintendent shall designate annually one individual in the district authorized to procure test instruments which are utilized in testing programs administered by or through the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education or the Louisiana Department of Education. The name of the individual designated shall be provided in writing to the Director, Division of Student Standards and Assessments, Louisiana Department of Education, and included on the Statement of Assurance.
6. A list of personnel authorized to have access to the locked, secure storage area where all test materials are stored shall be coordinated and maintained by the District Test Coordinator. School personnel authorized to have access to the locked secure storage area at the district level shall include the District Test Coordinator, clerical staff of the Department of Assessment, Research, and Special Services, temporary help employed by the Department of Assessment, Research, and Special Services, and loaned help employed in the Calcasieu Textbook Depository or other departments in Calcasieu Parish School Board, all of whom shall be trained in test security policies and procedures.
7. Each school principal shall complete, sign, and submit to the District Test Coordinator each year an updated list of personnel who have access to the locked secure storage area where all test materials are stored in the school. The principal and the School Test Coordinator shall maintain a copy of the access list in their files. The school test coordinator/s shall inservice all school-level personnel having access to test materials on test security. School personnel authorized to have access to the locked secure storage area include the School Test Coordinator/s, Principal, Assistant Principal, school janitor, or other personnel designated by the principal, all of whom shall be trained in and held accountable for carrying out test security policies and procedures.
8. All persons involved in the administration of tests shall annually receive proper training and professional development for handling and security of all testing materials. Such activities shall be coordinated and supervised by the District Test Coordinator. A record of such activities shall be maintained by the District Test Coordinator. School test coordinators shall inservice all school test administrators and other school-level personnel having access to testing materials on test security and/or test administration.
9. Testing shall be conducted in class-size groups. No group size shall exceed 30 students without written signed approval. Permission for administering state tests in environments that differ from the usual classroom setting must be obtained in writing from the Louisiana Department of Education, Division of Student Standards and Assessments at least thirty (30) days prior to testing. If testing outside the usual classroom setting is approved by the Division of Student Standards and Assessments, the school shall provide at least one proctor for every thirty (30) students. Small-group testing for students eligible for test accommodations shall not exceed 8 students.
10. The Louisiana State Superintendent of Education may disallow test results on any state test which may have been achieved in any manner which is violative of test security.
11. The Louisiana Department of Education shall establish procedures to identify the following in state testing programs:
a. Improbable achievement of test score gains in consecutive years.
b. Situations in which collaboration between or among individuals occurs during the testing process.
c. A verification of the number of all tests distributed and the number of tests returned.
d. Excessive erasures for multiple-choice tests.
e. Any violation to written composition, open-ended or constructed responses that involves plagiarism.
f. Any other situation which may result in invalidation of test results.
12. In cases where test results are not accepted because of breach of test security or action by the Louisiana Department of Education, any programmatic, evaluative, promotion, or graduation criteria dependent upon the data shall be deemed not to have been met.
13. Individuals shall adhere to all procedures specified in all operational manuals that govern the mandated and locally-adopted testing programs.
14. Any individual(s) who knowingly engages in any activities during testing which results in invalidation of scores derived from the Graduation Exit Examination or LEAP for the 21st Century test shall forfeit the test results and will be allowed to retake the test at the next test administration.
15. Anyone known to be involved in the presentation of forged, counterfeit, or altered identification for the purposes of obtaining admission to a test administration site for any test administered by or through the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, the Louisiana Department of Education, and/or Calcasieu Parish School Board, shall have breached test security. Any individual(s) who knowingly cause(s) or allow(s) the presentation of forged, counterfeit or altered identification for the purpose of obtaining admission to any test administration site shall forfeit all test scores and will be allowed to retake the test at the next test administration.
16. Any teacher, administrator, or other school personnel who allows or breaches test security shall be disciplined in accordance with statutory provisions, policy and regulations adopted by the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, and the School Board, and any laws that may be enacted by the Louisiana Legislature.
17. Calcasieu Parish School Board shall ensure that individual student test data are protected from unauthorized access and disclosure. The Calcasieu District Test Coordinator and other authorized users of the LEAP Web Reporting System shall ensure the security of passwords, any disks or CDs with downloaded individual student test data, and student-level test data open on a computer screen. The District Test Coordinator shall provide training to authorized personnel regarding security and confidentiality of individual student test data in paper and/or electronic format and of aggregated data of fewer than ten students. All users shall be required to sign a statement guaranteeing they will not share any password with unauthorized individuals and maintain the confidentiality of student data. A copy of the signed statement shall be sent to the District Test Coordinator to be kept on file. Users who have access to these systems and leave their positions at a district or school site shall not use or share any passwords.
18. The following alleged violations of test security shall be investigated by the district:
1. any testing irregularities, including violations in test security, such as plagiarism and excessive wrong-to-right erasures identified through erasure analysis
2. employees accused of irregularities or improprieties in the administration of standardized tests
3. missing test booklets, answer documents, or supplementary secure materials (e.g., writing prompts, science tasks)
19. District procedures for conducting an investigation shall include, at a minimum, the following:
a. The District Test Coordinator shall notify the Calcasieu Superintendent of the alleged violation; the superintendent shall appoint one or more members of the administrative staff to assist the District Test Coordinator with the investigation.
b. The investigative staff shall meet to review the alleged violation and to determine specific investigative procedures.
c. The investigative staff shall set a meeting with the principal, school test coordinator, and test administrator/s of the identified class/es.
d. The investigative staff shall conduct a group interview, or individual interviews if deemed more appropriate, with the principal, school test coordinator, school test administrator/s, proctor/s, and if deemed necessary, with any school staff who had access to test material at any time.
e. The investigative staff shall conduct individual interviews with students from identified class/es if deemed necessary regarding testing procedures, layout of the classroom, access to test materials before the test, and access to unauthorized materials or information during testing.
f. The investigative staff shall meet with the principal and school test coordinator (and/or other school staff as appropriate) to report findings and to request development and submission of a School Test Security Corrective Action Plan to the investigative staff.
g. The investigative staff shall meet with the principal and school test coordinator to review and approve or recommend changes to the School Test Security Corrective Action Plan.
h. The investigative staff shall develop a District Corrective Action Plan including district follow-up activities and timelines to check on the school’s implementation of its School Test Security Corrective Action Plan. The entire school and district document shall be submitted to the Calcasieu Superintendent for review and approval.
i. The Calcasieu Superintendent shall determine what, if any, disciplinary action shall be taken against any employee/s accused and found by the investigative staff to be in violation of test security irregularities or improprieties in the administration of standardized tests. Should disciplinary action be taken by the Superintendent that warrants revision of the District Test Security Corrective Action Plan, those written changes shall be made to the document at this point.
j. The School and District Test Security Corrective Action Plan shall be submitted to the Louisiana Department of Education Division of Student Standards and Assessments, and any follow-up activities shall be implemented by the District Test Coordinator.
20. Hospital/Homebound students will be tested on state and locally-adopted achievement and/or criterion-referenced tests as follows: a. A Hospital/Homebound Test Coordinator shall be designated by the District Test Coordinator in collaboration with the Director of Special Education for coordinating testing of hospital/homebound and/or other students taught by itinerant teachers. The Hospital/Homebound Test Coordinator will function like a School Test Coordinator.
b. Hospital/Homebound teachers will submit through their supervisor to the Hospital/Homebound Test Coordinator four lists of students from each school by grade:
(1) Those students able to be tested at their home school site.
(2) Those students unable to be tested with their peers at their local school but able to be grouped for testing by the Hospital/Homebound (itinerant) teachers at a designated School Board site.
(3) Those few students too ill or incapacitated to the extent they cannot be transported to a school site but well enough to be tested individually in the home by the Hospital/Homebound teachers.
(4) Those students too ill to test during the assigned testing dates.
c. The Hospital/Homebound Test Coordinator or designee will notify each school test coordinator of the testing status of each of their students.
d. The School Test Coordinator at each student’s enrolled school will arrange for testing students in category 1 in the school setting.
e. The Hospital/Homebound Test Coordinator or designee will pick up from each school test coordinator all testing materials for students in categories 2 and 3 and will arrange for their testing at a designated School Board site or in the home.
f. The Hospital/Homebound Test Coordinator or designee will deliver all testing materials to the school test coordinator of each student’s enrolled school for packaging and return following test administration.
g. Written documentation of test security will be maintained throughout the process on special forms prepared by each test vendor and/or by the District Test Coordinator.
21. Responsibilities of Parish Test Coordinator
a. Attend regional and/or state test coordinators’ meetings conducted by the Louisiana Department of Education.
b. Order, receive, and inventory all testing materials. Secure test booklets, answer sheets, supplementary secure materials (e.g., writing prompts, science tasks), and manuals for grades K-2 that contain actual test items under lock and key.
c. Maintain a list of school district personnel by name and position authorized to have access to the locked, secure storage area where all test materials are stored within the district and within each school.
d. Investigate and report discrepancies or irregularities to the Calcasieu Parish Superintendent of Schools and, if a state test, to the Division of Student Standards and Assessments, Louisiana Department of Education.
e. Inform principals and school test coordinators of test security laws, policies, regulations, and administrative procedures.
f. Conduct annual inservice for principals and school test coordinators on test security and test administration.
g. Maintain a dated and signed roster of all school system personnel trained in test security and test administration.
h. Distribute taped boxes of test booklets, answer sheets, manuals, and other materials needed for test administration to school test coordinators and/or principals.
i. Keep written dated and signed documentation of testing materials distributed and returned.
j. Provide test schedules to principals, school test coordinators, and to the public through the media.
k. Conduct training inservice for monitors as deemed appropriate.
l. Oversee local monitoring of all test sites.
m. Pack tests and ship to scoring service or place in secure locked district storage.
n. Follow all policies of BESE, testing vendors, and Calcasieu Parish School regard to requests from parents or others to examine secure tests.
o. Train authorized users of the LEAP Web Reporting System and ensure that individual student test data are protected from unauthorized access and disclosure. This includes ensuring the security of passwords to authorized users only of the LEAP Web Reporting System, any disks or CDs with downloaded individual student test data, student-level data open on a computer screen, individual student data in paper and electronic format, and of aggregated data of fewer than ten students.
22. Responsibilities of Principals
a. Attend annual district principals’ inservice sessions on test security, accountability data on state assessment answer documents, and interpreting and using test data.
b. Oversee and be responsible for total school adherence to test security laws, policies, regulations, and administrative procedures.
c. Appoint school test coordinators, see that they attend parish inservices for school test coordinators, and that they provide test security and test administration inservice to school staff.
d. Submit a list to the District Test Coordinator annually of school personnel by name and position authorized to have access to the locked, secure storage area where all test materials are stored. Give a copy to each School Test Coordinator and maintain a file copy.
e. Assign only certified personnel who have been trained on test security and test administration to administer tests; assign other certificated personnel and para-professionals to assist with monitoring or proctoring during testing.
f. Fully inform all faculty, students, and parents of test security policies, procedures, and schedules; and inform them of high-stakes testing requirements.
g. Provide a school environment conducive to good testing practices and procedures throughout the week/s of testing:
(1) Rearrange regular schedule to adhere to parish and state testing schedules.
(2) Turn off bells.
(3) Avoid and disallow fire drills, use of PA system, and other interruptions during test administration.
(4) Monitor testing and cooperate with district and state monitors. Follow Calcasieu Parish School Board policy when identifying all district and state monitors as authorized visitors in the school.
(5) Report any discrepancies or testing irregularities to the District Test Coordinator immediately.
(6) Keep written documentation of all discrepancies/irregularities and how each discrepancy/irregularity was investigated and handled within the school. Submit a written report to the District Test Coordinator of any investigation and maintain a file copy.
h. Cooperate with the District Test Coordinator, other administrator/s appointed by the Calcasieu Superintendent, and/or Louisiana Department of Education (LDE) staff on any investigation of a suspected test security violation by student/s and/or staff.
i. Ensure protection of individual student test data in paper and electronic format, and of aggregated data of fewer than ten students.
23. Responsibilities of School Test Coordinators
a. Attend district in-service sessions on test security, test administration, and/or interpreting/using test data as scheduled.
b. Recognize that the School Test Coordinator is a designee of the School Principal. Keep the principal informed of all testing requirements, schedules, and irregularities.
c. Conduct inservice on test security for all persons having access to secure test materials; conduct inservice for test administrators on test security and on test administration procedures.
d. Submit to the District Test Coordinator a dated and signed roster of all school personnel attending the annual in-school inservice on test security and another roster on each test administration inservice. Maintain a file copy of each.
e. Keep secure test booklets, answer documents, supplementary secure materials (e.g., writing prompts, science tasks), and all K-2 test administrators’ manuals that contain actual test items under lock and key before and after each testing session.
f. Keep accurate written documentation of distributed and returned test materials each day with date, time, serial numbers, to whom distributed, by whom returned.
g. Report in writing, with principal’s signature and date, any missing test booklets, answer documents, supplementary secure materials (e.g., writing prompts, science tasks), and any discrepancies in serial numbers of testing materials to the District Test Coordinator prior to administration of the test.
h. In the event test booklets, answer documents, supplementary secure materials (e.g., writing prompts, science tasks) are determined to be missing while in the possession of the school, immediately notify the District Test Coordinator by FAX with signatures of the School Test Coordinator and Principal and the date. Under the Principal’s leadership, investigate the cause of the discrepancy and submit a written report of the investigation at the time of turning in test materials to the District for scoring. If the documents are determined to be missing while in possession of a test administrator, obtain a signed and dated written detailed report from the test administrator of what happened and submit this as part of the written investigative report.
i. Monitor administration of tests. Be available during the testing period to answer any questions that arise. Report testing irregularities to the Principal and the District Test Coordinator immediately.
j. School Test Coordinator should not be responsible for administering tests during peak testing periods.
k. Pack and return all used and unused answer sheets, test booklets, manuals, secure supplemental materials (e.g., writing prompts, science tasks) and other required documents to the District Test Coordinator according to instructions. DO NOT destroy any items at the school building level!
l. Maintain security of individual student test data in paper and electronic format, and of aggregated data of fewer than ten students.
24. Responsibilities of Test Administrators
a. Attend in-school inservice on Test Security and Test Administration.
b. Disseminate all testing materials in the same manner each time. Do not allow s |