DATE, TIME, PLACE OF MEETING

The Calcasieu Parish School Board met in the Board Room of the Calcasieu Parish School Board, located at 3310 Broad Street, Lake Charles, Louisiana, 70615, on Tuesday, January 12, 2010, at 4:45 p.m. The meeting was called to order by Joe Andrepont, President. The prayer was led by R.L. Webb. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Nathaniel McCarver, a student at Washington-Marion High School.

ROLL CALL

The roll was called and the following members were present: Joe Andrepont, Annette Ballard, Dale Bernard, Randy Burleigh, Mack Dellafosse, Clara Duhon, Chad Guidry, Fred Hardy, Bill Jongbloed, James Karr, Bryan LaRocque, Jimmy Pitre, Elray Victorian, and R.L. Webb.

Mr. Breaux was absent.

MINUTES APPROVED

On a motion by Mr. Burleigh and second by Mr. Webb, the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of December 1, 2009 were approved.

On a motion by Mr. Burleigh and second by Mr. Webb, the Minutes of the Special Meeting of December 17, 2009 were approved.

On a motion by Mr. LaRocque and a second by Mr. Guidry the Supplemental Agenda was accepted as a part of the Regular Agenda, by unanimous vote.

PRESENTATIONS

A. DeQuincy Elementary Students/Winners of Keep America Beautiful Award

Second Place State Winners

First Place National Level Winners, Student Division, presented award at ceremony in Washington, D.C.

DeQuincy Elementary Principal, Claude LeCompte and Art Teacher, Mike LeBlanc, introduced the following students:

Tamia Grant (not present)

Cody White (not present)

Madison Dykes

Jacey  Royer

Andon Sowers

Caleb Jacobs

B. Warren David, “Voice of Barbe Football”

Mr. David was presented to the Board by Barbe High School Principal, Beth Fraser.

C. Presentation of Plaque to 2009 Board President- Elray Victorian

President Andrepont presented Mr. Victorian with a plaque and thanks for the 2009 year.

PERSONNEL PACKET/TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION

Mr. Savoy asked for a motion to support the Personnel Packet, as listed. On a motion by Mr. Guidry and a second by Mr. Jongbloed, the motion carried. He asked for a motion to accept the Personnel Packet, as listed in the Addendum. On a motion by Mr. Bernard and a second by Mr. Jongbloed the motion carried. Mr. Savoy commented that he regretfully accepted the resignations of Sulphur High School Head Football Coach Paul Bourgeois and Washington Marion High School Head Football Coach John Jenkins, Jr.

Mr. Savoy asked for a motion to approve the staff recommendation of the following:

Shonna Anderson as Temporary Assistant Principal at F.K. White; on a motion by Mr. Victorian and second by Mrs. Duhon, the motion carried.

Bridget Craft as Administrative Intern at DeQuincy Upper Elementary; on a motion to approve by Mr. Karr and second by Mr. Webb, the motion carried.

Pam Spears as Administrative Intern at DeQuincy Lower Elementary; on a motion by Mr. Karr and second by Mr. Burleigh, the motion carried.

Sean Richard as Head Coach at Iowa High School; on a motion by Mr. Webb and second by Mrs. Duhon, the motion carried.

Mr. Savoy asked for Permission to Advertise for the following:

Head Football Coach at Washington-Marion High School

Head Football Coach at Sulphur High School

On a motion to approve by Mr. Guidry and a second by Mr. Webb, the motion carried.

Mr. Andrepont called for a short recess at 5:10 p.m.; regular session resumed at 5:18 p.m.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

C&I Committee, December 8, 2009

Bill Jongbloed, Chair

Mr. Jongbloed gave the following report:

Committee Members Present:  Bill Jongbloed, Chair, Billy Breaux, Fred Hardy, Randy Burleigh, Annette Ballard, James Karr, Mack Dellafosse

Other Board Members Present:  Elray Victorian, Clara Duhon, Jimmy Pitre

AGENDA

1.                                SCHOOL CALENDAR 2010-2011

2.                                TEXTBOOK ADOPTION COMMITTEE MEMBERS

The C&I Committee Meeting was called to order at 4:45 p.m. by Mr. Jongbloed, Chairman.  ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­Mr. Karr opened with prayer followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Mr. Pitre.

A quorum was present.

A motion was made by Mr. Breaux, seconded by Ms. Ballard, to accept the School Calendar 2010-2011 and Textbook Adoption Committee Members as presented.

An amendment to the motion was made by Mr. Pitre, seconded by Mr. Breaux, to start school one day earlier, August 17, and to add Wednesday to the Mardi Gras holiday.

A vote was taken on the amendment to start school one day earlier, August 17, and to add Wednesday to the Mardi Gras holiday with Mr. Pitre and Mr. Breaux voting yea and Clara Duhon abstaining.  The amendment failed.

A vote on the motion to accept the School Calendar 2010-2011 as presented carried.

On behalf of the committee, Mr. Jongbloed made a motion to accept the committee recommendation. A second was not needed. Mr. Pitre made an amendment to the motion, to include Wednesday following Mardi Gras as a holiday and starting school one day earlier in August. Mrs. Duhon seconded his motion. On a vote:

For: Mr. Pitre, Mr. Bernard, Mrs. Duhon

Against: Mr. Webb, Mr. Hardy, Mrs. Ballard, Mr. Jongbloed, Mr. Dellafosse, Mr. Burleigh, Mr. Karr, Mr. Guidry, Mr. Victorian, Mr. LaRocque

President Andrepont did not vote

The amendment to the motion failed and on the original motion  by Mr. Jongbloed, the motion passed.

Request was made for data to be provided at the next Board Meeting showing the number of absences of both teachers and students for the Wednesday following Mardi Gras.

A motion to accept the Textbook Adoption Committee Members as presented was already on the floor.  The motion carried.

On behalf of the committee, Mr. Jongbloed made the motion to accept the committee recommendation. A second was not needed and on a vote, the motion carried.

A motion to adjourn was made at 5:08 p.m. by Mr. Dellafosse, seconded by Ms. Victorian, and carried. 

A&P Committee, December 8, 2009

Clara Duhon, Chair

Mrs. Duhon gave the following report:

The Calcasieu Parish School Board Administration and Personnel
Committee met Tuesday, December 8, 2009 at 5:05 P.M. in the Board room at 3310 Broad  Street, Lake Charles, Louisiana.  A quorum was present. The prayer and pledge of allegiance was said at the previous Budget meeting.

Present:  Clara Duhon, Chair, Committee members Randy Burleigh, Mack Dellafosse, James Karr, Billy Breaux, Jimmy Pitre, Bill Jongbloed, Bryan LaRocque and Gary Anderson, Secretary.  Other Board members present were Annette Ballard, Elray Victorian and Fred Hardy.

Absent:  Chad Guidry

Mrs. Duhon called the meeting to order. Mr. Anderson presented a number of policies that were a result of legislative changes and from staff and legal counsel of the Calcasieu Parish School Board.  A motion was made by Mr. Jongbloed, seconded by Mrs. Ballard to accept the recommended changes on the policies presented. Questions were asked on several of the policies.  Policy changes by legislature are:  Policy GAMA, Investigations, Policy GAMIA, Electronic Communications Between Employees and Students, Policy GBD, Employment of Personnel, Policy GBRA, Employee Conduct, Policy JBE, Truancy, Policy JD, Discipline, Policy JDA, Corporal Punishment, Policy JDD, Suspension of Students, Policy JDE, Expulsion and Policy JGCD, Administration of Medication.  Policy changes by Calcasieu Parish School Board are:  GAMD, Drug Free Workplace, Policy GAME, Employee Alcohol, Drug and Substance Abuse, Policy JCDAA, Student Smoking, Policy GBRIB, Sick Leave, JQK, Foreign Exchange Students, Policy JQK-AP, International Exchange Program Students and Policy EBCB, Video Monitoring of School Board Property.

An amendment to the motion requesting an emergency resolution be sent to the Louisiana School Board’s Association regarding Policy JD, Student Discipline.  The Board disagrees with Legislative decisions made to Act 240 concerning dismissal of students from classrooms and allowing the make up of work.

Mr. Hardy requested that Policy GBD, Employment of Personnel be brought back to the next committee meeting to discuss Retire/Rehire of employees.

A  motion was made by Mr. Victorian, seconded by Mr. Dellafosse and approved, to send an emergency resolution to the Louisiana School Board Association pertaining to Act 240.

On behalf of the committee, Mrs. Duhon made a motion to accept the committee recommendation to send an emergency resolution to the Louisiana School Board Association pertaining to Act 240. A second was not needed and on a vote, the motion carried.

The original motion by Mr. Jongbloed and seconded by Mrs. Ballard was approved to accept the recommended changes to the policies presented.  The policies state:

FILE:  GAMC

                                                                                                                        Cf:   GAK, JDA, JGCE

INVESTIGATIONS

GENERAL INVESTIGATIONS

In the event that a Calcasieu Parish School Board member or staff member believes a condition exists within the school system that warrants investigation by the staff, such person shall convey his/her concerns to the Superintendent.  Should the Superintendent determine that the situation warrants investigation, he/she shall have the matter investigated by appointing appropriate staff personnel (one or more persons) to make the necessary inquiries.  At the conclusion of their investigation, a report shall be prepared for submission to the Superintendent.

Any investigation undertaken in the school system shall be conducted in accordance with the following stipulations:

1.     No Board member shall participate in any manner in an investigation.

2.     The Superintendent shall use every means possible to protect School Board personnel from unwarranted personal criticism.

In any investigation into incidents involving accidents or injuries to students or employees, or involving student misconduct, or the competence, honesty or performance of duties of Board employees, all employees of the Calcasieu Parish School Board shall, upon reasonable request by the Superintendent or his/her designee, give a statement of the facts and circumstances within the employee's knowledge, or an accounting of the employee's conduct concerning the circumstances which are the subject of the investigation or are related to the matter being investigated.

If deemed appropriate by the Superintendent or his/her designee in the conduct of such investigation, employees of the Calcasieu Parish School Board shall, upon reasonable notification, appear at the offices of the Superintendent or at such other suitable location within the parish as might be appropriate and convenient in the investigation.

During any such employee interview, the employee may have legal representation if desired by the employee, but said representation shall be at no cost to the Calcasieu Parish School Board.

PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT OF EMPLOYEE DISCIPLINE

The Calcasieu Parish School Board, in accordance with state law, shall provide for an investigation of an employee, in cases where the Board has made a public announcement that an employee may be disciplined, whether or not there is an accompanying reduction in pay.  The investigation shall proceed as outlined below under Reporting Procedures.  Not later than thirty (30) days after the conclusion of the investigation and prior to any Board action to implement such disciplinary action, the employee may appear, if he/she so determines, before the School Board in open session and be given a reasonable time, as determined by the Board, to comment on the investigation and any actions taken or proposed to be taken involving the employee.

These provisions shall not be applicable to any reduction in force initiated by the Board.

IMPERMISSIBLE CORPORAL PUNISHMENT OR MORAL OFFENSES

If an employee is accused of impermissible corporal punishment, or of a moral offense involving a student, a prompt, thorough investigation shall be conducted by the Superintendent or designee.  The investigation shall proceed as outlined below under Reporting Procedures.  A written report of the results of the investigation shall be prepared, and the employee shall be provided with a copy of such report.  The Superintendent may promulgate such administrative regulations as he/she deems necessary to implement this policy.  Any employee found to have violated the provisions of Board policy shall be disciplined by such means as appropriate to the incident, including reprimand, suspension, termination, and/or referral to the local child protection agency/law enforcement.

If the allegation falls within the definition of abuse as defined in Board policy JGCE, Child Abuse, then all school employees with knowledge of such incidents become mandatory reporters and the allegations must be reported to child protection or law enforcement as provided by state law and Board policy.  Such reporting shall be made and applied in conjunction with the procedures outlined in this policy. 

REPORTING PROCEDURES

Any complaint relative to employee conduct shall be handled as follows:

(1)   The Superintendent or his/her designee may order such investigation to be conducted in each instance as is warranted by the circumstances.

(2)   The investigation shall be conducted by the Superintendent or his/her designee.  These rules contemplate informal but thorough investigations, affording all interested persons and their representatives, if any, an opportunity to submit evidence relevant to the complaint.  Staff members or students may be interviewed if it is deemed essential to the investigation.

(3)   The Superintendent or his/her designee shall confer with each accused employee’s immediate supervisor concerning the results of the investigation and the immediate supervisor shall discuss the matter with the employee.

(4)   A written determination as to the validity of the complaint and a description of the resolution, if any, shall be issued by the Superintendent or designee and a copy forwarded to the complainant no later than (30) days after its filing.

(5)   If charges are founded, the Superintendent shall recommend proper disciplinary action to the School Board, based upon investigative evidence gathered, which may include termination of employment of the employee.  Any disciplinary action will be placed in the offender's personnel file which will reflect the action taken and the grounds thereof.

Recoded:  November, 2006

Revised:  September, 2009

Ref:  La. Rev. Stat. Ann. ''14:403, 17:81, 17:81.6, 17:81.8; Board minutes, 2-6-07.

NEW POLICY                                                                               FILE:  GAMIA

                                                                                                        Cf:  EFA, GAMC, GAMI

                                                                                                        Cf:  IFBCA, JCDAE

ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN EMPLOYEES AND STUDENTS

The Calcasieu Parish School Board requires that all communications between employees and students be appropriate and in accordance with state and federal law.  All communications, regardless of origination, method or means, between employees to students shall, at all times, be professional, acceptable in content, and comply, in all respects, to those communications authorized by law.

Employees, parents and students shall immediately report any violation of this policy to the School Board.   The School Board shall maintain records of any reported violations for a period of at least one (1) year.  Any employee, who violates any provision of this policy, will be subject to the full range of disciplinary actions, including, without limitation, termination, pursuant to the provisions of LSA-R.S. 17:441 et seq.  In addition, the employee is placed on notice than any violation of this policy may subject the employee to civil and/or criminal penalties.  Any student, who violates any provision of this policy, will be subject to the full range of disciplinary actions, including, without limitation, suspension.

DEFINITIONS

1.     Electronic Communication includes any direct or indirect communication facilitated by voice, text and/or video based telecommunication devices and/or computer devices, including, without limitation communication employing any intermediate method such as internet-based social networks.  This term 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, screen name or number and received by that person.

3.     Computers – pertains to any and all micro-processing devices.

4.     Social networks – included any locations on the Internet where users may interact with other users -- examples are Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, 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, inappropriate fraternization, or suggestive in nature.

NOTIFICATION

The School Board shall ensure that each employee, student, and parent/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 the 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.  Said request shall be in writing and presented to the principal.

INAPPROPRIATE COMMUNICATIONS

The School Board is aware that the reputations and careers of students and educators can be damaged by inappropriate communications between parties.  Therefore, it is the intent of the Calcasieu 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 when used to communicate with one another.  The policy is not intended to limit the use of technology as an effective teaching tool.

         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.

INVESTIGATIONS

1.     Any violation of this policy shall be investigated immediately by the School Board.  The investigation shall include the name of the person reporting the allegation, the parties involved, the time and date of any alleged violation and the specific allegations made by each party.

2.     The supervisor shall meet with the employee, parent or student and document all responses to any allegations.  The employee shall be required to cooperate fully with any investigation.

3.     All information developed in the investigation shall be provided to the Superintendent and the Personnel Director by the supervisor.

New policy:  September 2009

Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§14:40.3, 17:81, 17:239.

                                                                                                                                        FILE:  GBD

                                                                                                                                        Cf: GBJ, GBM

                                                                                                                                        Cf:  GBD-AP

EMPLOYMENT OF PERSONNEL

The Calcasieu Parish School Board and its administrative staff believes that it has an obligation to provide the children attending its schools with the very best personnel available regardless of race, color, creed, sex, age, national origin or any similar personal characteristic.  Age shall be considered only with respect to minimums set by law.

The Superintendent or his/her designee shall be responsible for establishing and maintaining appropriate procedures for reviewing and evaluating any and all applicants for selection, including administrative and supervisory personnel, and assuring adherence to applicable state and federal legal requirements.  Selection of personnel to fill all positions shall be made on a non-discriminatory basis with selection procedures and evaluative criteria known to all applicants.  Applicants should not resort to the use of political, social, or other pressures to gain employment or promotion.

PERSONNEL CHANGES

The School Board shall select teachers and all other personnel from recommendations made by the Superintendent.  It shall be the responsibility of the Superintendent to ensure that all persons recommended have proper certification where applicable, and are qualified for the position.  Nothing shall prevent the School Board from rejecting the recommendation made by the Superintendent and requiring the Superintendent to submit additional recommendations.

CERTIFIED PERSONNEL

The Superintendent and/or his/her designee shall consult with the principal regarding any possible selections made by the Superintendent for hiring or placement of any teacher or other certified personnel at the school in which the principal is employed.  In addition, the Superintendent and/or his/her designee shall consult with teachers regarding any possible selections made by the Superintendent for the hiring or placement of a principal at the school in which such teachers are employed, subject to the provisions of any applicable court order.

The Board shall require all teaching personnel employed by the district to possess those qualifications set forth by the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) and by all applicable accrediting agencies.  The Board also recognizes that these qualifications, as well as qualifications for all positions, are set up to promote minimum standards.  The Superintendent and/or his/her designee shall strive to employ persons who exceed these minimum requirements, whenever possible.

Retiree Return to Work

It shall be the policy of the Calcasieu Parish School Board to grant authority to the Superintendent or his/her designee to recommend candidates for rehire after the person has traditionally retired from the school system.  The Superintendent may bring a recommendation to the Board for approval for the rehire of a retiring administrator, provided the position has been officially advertised and the administrator has applied and gone through the standard interview procedure.  Upon retirement, employees shall lose all tenure and seniority rights to the school system. Upon rehire, the tenure right would start over as a first year employee.  The employee would begin to work toward all rights and privileges earned prior to retirement.

BUS DRIVERS AND OTHER SUPPORT PERSONNEL

Applicants shall be selected for classified and support positions based on the following criteria:

        1.             when possible and feasible, applicants shall be given an examination to ascertain skill and general knowledge level;

        2.             educational preparation;

        3.             previous work experience;

        4.             evaluations and recommendations provided by employers, associates, and other agencies;

        5.             attendance records;

        6.             physical health and mental fitness for the position; and

7.     the applicant's exhibited knowledge of skills and related tasks, personality and general appearance, work philosophy, and ability to work cooperatively with others as determined through personal interview by the Personnel Department and/or data collected from other sources.

Bus Drivers

The School Board shall only employ as school bus drivers those persons who have met all state and federal requirements for such positions.  Whenever a school bus operator is needed to drive a new route or a route vacated by a previous operator, the school bus operator who is tenured and has acquired the greatest seniority shall be offered the opportunity to and may change from driving his/her route to the vacant route before another operator is selected.  If the tenured bus operator with the greatest seniority chooses not to change to the vacant route, the route shall then be offered in order of seniority to a school bus operator who has acquired tenure. 

If no tenured operator chooses to change to the vacant route, the route shall then be offered to a full‑time probationary bus operator.

If no regular bus operator, tenured or probationary, chooses to change to the vacant route, then a substitute bus operator shall be selected for the position from a list of approved substitute school bus operators.  If no tenured, probationary, or substitute bus operator wants the route, then a new driver shall be hired. 

Whenever a school bus operator owning his/her own bus retires, the Board shall first offer a vacated route to any person meeting the requirements of the School Board who is willing to acquire the bus of the retiring operator at full appraised value.  This provision shall be applicable only when the bus owned by the retiring operator has been manufactured within a period of five (5) years immediately prior to the operator's retirement and the operator is retiring due to a documented physical disability.

The School Board may select an operator to fill a vacant route using a different process than outlined above, but only if the Board is required to bear an increase in the unreimbursed costs for nonpassenger miles over those attributable to the previous operator who vacated the route.

Whenever a vacancy occurs on a route due to death, resignation, retirement, or the expiration of the regular operator's approved leave, or a new route is established, the route shall be filled with a regular school bus operator using the process stated above no later than the following school year unless the route is consolidated or eliminated.

If an operator is on approved leave, his/her route shall not be considered a vacant route.  A substitute shall be used to drive a route for an operator on approved leave regardless of the length of time of the approved leave.

Bus Driver Hiring Procedure - Open Position

All tenured and non-tenured drivers will be notified by advertising the open route for fourteen (14) days.  After the advertising period has ended, the following procedures will be followed:

STEP 1

        A.            If any tenured drivers apply, the route shall be offered in the order of seniority to the tenured driver.

        B.             If no tenured drivers apply, the route shall be offered, in order of seniority, to the non-tenured drivers who have applied.  If there are no applicants, go to Step 2.

STEP 2

        The route shall be offered to the most senior active substitute with an acceptable driving record within the ward of the advertised route.  If there is no active substitute in the ward, the route shall be offered to the most senior active substitute in the parish.

Seniority will be defined using the date of driver certification.

Active Substitute Driver is defined as any driver who has driven a minimum of thirty-six (36) days in each of the last two school years.  In the event the average number of days driven by the substitute driver in any ward is less than thirty-six (36) days, then the average for that ward will be used.

Other Support Personnel

Applicants shall be selected for support positions based on criteria as may be determined by the School Board.  Unless specifically covered by a written employment contract expressly entered into by the individual employee and the Board, school employees shall be hired on an at-will employment basis, which means they are subject to dismissal by the Board upon the written recommendation of the Superintendent.  School employee shall mean any employee of the Board that is not required to hold a valid teacher's certificate as a condition of employment or is not a bus driver.  All appointments shall be temporary until ability to perform assigned tasks has been determined.

DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION BY APPLICANT

Prior to hiring any employee, the School Board shall request the applicant to sign a statement that requests and authorizes the release and disclosure of information by the applicant's current or previous employer, if such employer is a city, parish, or other local public school board, relative to all instances of sexual misconduct with students as defined by BESE regulations, as committed by the applicant, if any.   Prior to hiring any employee, the School Board shall require the applicant to sign a statement that authorizes the release and disclosure of the following information by the applicant’s current or previous employer(s):

1.     All actual cases of sexual misconduct with a minor or student by the applicant.

2.     All instances of sexual misconduct with students, as defined by BESE, committed by the applicant, if any, if such employer is/was a city, parish, or other local public School Board.

Adult sexual misconduct in schools, as defined by BESE for the purposes of disclosing information to the School Boards includes sexually inappropriate behavior by the adult that is directed at a student, including but not limited to sexually-related conversations, jokes, or questions directed at students.  More specifically, sexual misconduct is:

a.     any conduct that would amount to sexual harassment under Title IX of the (U.S.) Education Amendments of 1972, as amended;

b.     any conduct that would amount to a sexual offense affecting a minor under state criminal codes;

c.     any sexual relationship by a school employee with a student, regardless of the student’s age; with a former student under 18; with a former student (regardless of age) who suffers from a disability that would prevent consent in a relationship.  All students enrolled in the school and in any organization in which the school employee holds a position of trust and responsibility are included;

d.     any activity directed toward establishing a sexual relationship such as sending intimate letters, engaging in sexualized dialogue in person, via the Internet, in writing or by phone, making suggestive comments, dating a student.

3.     All investigations of sexual misconduct by the applicant with a minor or student that occurred within thirty-six (36) months prior to the applicant’s resignation, dismissal, or retirement from employment.

4.     All actual or investigated cases of abuse or neglect committed by the applicant, if any, if such employer is/was the Louisiana School for the Deaf, the Louisiana School for the Visually Impaired, or the Louisiana Special Education Center.

In accordance with the Louisiana Children’s Code, Art. 603:

1.     Abuse means any one of the following acts which seriously endanger the physical, mental, or emotional health and safety of the child:

a.     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.

b.     The exploitation or overwork of a child by a parent or any other person.

c.     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 Louisiana.

2.     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.  Neglect includes parental neglect. Consistent with Louisiana Children’s Code, Art. 606(B), 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.

If an investigation determined that a formal allegation of an applicant was inconclusive, unjustified, or otherwise without cause for further formal pursuit, the applicant shall not be required to disclose such information.

The statement shall also request the current or previous employing School Board make available to the School Board, within twenty (20) business days of receipt of the request, copies of all documents as contained in the applicant's personnel file maintained by such employer relative to instances of sexual misconduct, if any.  Such request for information shall include a copy of the required statement signed by the applicant.

The School Board may employ any applicant on a conditional basis pending the Board's review of any information obtained pursuant to this request.  However, in accordance with statutory provisions, the School Board shall not hire any applicant who does not sign the statement as required by law.

Any information obtained by the School Board as a result of the statement and request outlined above shall be used by the Board only for the purpose of evaluating an applicant's qualifications for employment in the position for which he/she has applied, is not subject to the state public records statutes, and shall not be disclosed to any person, other than the applicant, who is not directly involved in the process of evaluating the applicant’s qualifications for employment.

In addition to the above, the applicant shall grant permission by signing a statement on the application form that permits the School Board to have access to any and all reference, background, and previous employment information and to receive copies of any such documentation from a current or previous employer.

CRIMINAL HISTORY OF APPLICANTS

The Calcasieu Parish School Board shall require, in accordance with state law, applicants for employment with the School Board to submit necessary information regarding their backgrounds.  A prospective employee shall be required to provide authorization for the disclosure of any information regarding past criminal activities, including arrests for, convictions of, or having pled nolo contendere to any criminal offense.

A standard applicant fingerprint card acceptable to the Louisiana Bureau of Criminal Identification and Information and a disclosure authorization form shall be provided the applicant by the School Board or may be obtained from local police authorities.  It shall be the responsibility of the applicant to have his/her fingerprints taken by a qualified individual and submitted to the proper authorities for processing.  Any cost associated with fingerprinting or the disclosure of background information on an applicant may be passed on to the applicant.

        1.             No person who has been convicted of or has plead nolo contendere to crimes listed in La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §15:587.1 shall be hired as a teacher, substitute teacher, bus driver, substitute bus driver, or janitor, or as a temporary, part-time, or permanent school employee of any kind, unless approved in writing by a district judge and the district attorney with jurisdiction in this parish, or if employed on an emergency basis, unless approved in writing by the Superintendent.  Any such statement of approval shall be kept on file at all times at the location wherein the employee is assigned and shall be produced upon request by any law enforcement officer.

2.     For the purposes of reviewing the criminal history of prospective employees, any person employed to provide cafeteria, transportation, janitorial or maintenance services by any person or entity that contracts with a school or school system to provide such services shall be considered to be hired by the school system.

        3.             Every such prospective employee shall be subjected to fingerprinting and each person's fingerprints shall be submitted to the proper authorities for a criminal history review.

        4.             A person who has submitted his/her fingerprints may be temporarily hired pending the results of the inquiry.

5.     Upon the final conviction or upon a plea of nolo contendere of any crimes enumerated in La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §15:587.1, except La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §14:74 (criminal neglect of family), any teacher may be dismissed following a hearing held in accordance with statutory provision.

6.     Any other school employee if such employee is convicted of or pleads nolo contendere to crimes enumerated in La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §15:587.1, except La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §14:74, may be dismissed.

        7.             A teacher or any other School Board employee shall report any final conviction or plea of guilty or nolo contendere to any criminal offense, excluding traffic offenses, to the School Board within forty-eight (48) hours of conviction or plea.

        8.             The Board may reemploy a teacher or other school employee who has been convicted of crimes enumerated in La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §15:587.1, except La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §14:74, only upon written approval of a district judge and the district attorney who has jurisdiction in this school district, or upon written documentation from the court in which the conviction occurred stating that the conviction had been reversed, set aside, or vacated.

Revised:  December, 1990                                                                Revised:  September, 2008

Revised:  December, 1992                                                                Revised:  September, 2009

Revised:  November, 1993

Revised:  December, 1995

Revised:  October, 1997

Revised:  June, 1998

Revised:  October, 1998

Revised:  October, 2001

Revised:  August, 2005

Revised:  December, 2005

Revised:  September, 2006

Revised:  October, 2006

Revised:  May, 2007

Ref:  La. Rev. Stat. Ann. ''11:710, 15:587, 15:587.1, 17:15, 17:81, 17:81.9, 17:430, 17:493.1, 23:897; La. Children’s Code, Art. 603; Louisiana Handbook for School Administrators, Bulletin 741, Louisiana Department of Education; Board minutes, 7-21-87, 9-6-94, 8-18-98, 5-7-02, 8-16-05, 5-9-06, 7-11-06, 2-6-07, 5-1-07, 10-7-08.

                                                                                                                                        FILE:  GBRA

                                                                                                                                        Cf:  JG

EMPLOYEE CONDUCT

The Calcasieu Parish School Board believes the teaching profession occupies a position of public trust involving not only the individual teacher's personal conduct, but also the interaction of the school and the community.  Education is most effective when these many relationships operate in a friendly, cooperative, and constructive manner.  A teacher's conduct, as well as the conduct of all employees throughout the school district, should meet acceptable standards of the community and show respect for the law and the rights of others.

All employees, volunteers, student teachers, interns, and any other person affiliated with the Calcasieu Parish School Board have the responsibility to be familiar with and abide by the laws of the state, the policies and decisions of the School Board, and the administrative regulations and procedures designed to implement Board policies.  Employees and others shall also comply with the standards of conduct set out in this policy and with any other policies, regulations, procedures, or guidelines that impose duties, requirements, or standards of conduct attendant to their status as School Board employees.

Employees and all others shall be expected to observe at least the following standards of conduct:

        !              Be courteous to students, one another, and the public and conduct themselves in a professional and ethical manner.

        !              Recognize and respect the rights and property of students, other employees, and the public.

        !              Maintain confidentiality of all matters relating to students and other employees.

        !              Demonstrate dependable attendance and punctuality with regard to assigned activities and work schedules.

        !              Observe and adhere to all terms of an employee's contract or job description.

        !              Strive to keep current and knowledgeable about the employee's area of responsibility.

        !              Refrain from promoting personal attitudes and opinions for matters other than general discussion.

        !              Refrain from using undue influence to gain, or attempt to gain, promotion, leave, favorable assignments, or other individual benefit or advantage.

        !              Advocate positive personal behavior on or off campus and attempt to avoid improprieties or the appearance of improprieties.

While the operation of the School Board and its schools is governed by the provisions of this and all other Board policies, regulations, and procedures, as well as procedures of the individual schools, no policy manual can list each and every instance of misconduct that is precluded.  Accordingly, employees are cautioned that the appropriateness of certain action or behavior must necessarily be dictated by the nature of the position held by the employee and standards of common sense.  By virtue of one's education and experience, an employee knows and understands that certain actions or conducts are unacceptable even in the absence of formal Board policy.  For instance, without the need of a specific prohibition or warning, a classroom teacher should be aware of the impropriety of certain practices such as leaving students unattended, using profanity or sexually suggestive language, or bringing a firearm onto campus.  Such conduct constitutes both incompetence and willful neglect of duty.  Such conduct, as well as violation of any state or federal law or Board policies, regulations, or procedures, or school regulations or procedures, shall result in the imposition of discipline up to and including termination.

PROHIBITED SEXUAL CONDUCT

Employees shall be prohibited from engaging in any form of sexual conduct with students. In particular, it is a violation of criminal statutes for any educator, which includes any administrator, coach, instructor, teacher, paraprofessional, teacher aide, or student aide, to engage in sexual conduct, as defined in La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §14:81.4 with a student who is seventeen (17) years of age or older, but less than nineteen (19) twenty-one (21) years of age, where there is an age difference of greater than four (4) years between the two persons.

Notwithstanding any claim of privileged communication, any educator, having cause to believe that prohibited sexual conduct has occurred between another educator and a student, shall be required by state law to immediately report such conduct to a local or state law enforcement agency.

NOTIFICATION BY EMPLOYEES

A teacher or any other School Board employee shall report any final conviction or plea of guilty or nolo contendere to any criminal offense, excluding traffic offenses, to the School Board within forty-eight (48) hours of conviction or plea.

Revised:  September, 2006

Revised:  November, 2007

Revised:  September, 2008

Revised:  September, 2009

Ref:  41 USC 702 (Drug-Free Workplace); La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§14:81, 14:81.4, 17:15, 17:81; Sylvester v. Cancienne, 95-0789 (La. App. 1st Cir. 11/9/95), 664 So.2d 1259; Howard v. West Baton Rouge Parish School Board, 2000-3234 (La. 6/29/01), 793 So.2d 153; Spurlock v. East Feliciana Parish School Board, 03-1879 (La. App. 1^st Cir. 6/25/04), 885 So.2d 1225; Board minutes, 9-17-02, 2-6-07, 4-08-08, 10-7-08.

                                                                                                                                        FILE:  JBE

                                                                                                                                        Cf:  IHAD

TRUANCY

The Calcasieu Parish School Board recognizes truancy as absence from class or school for any portion of a period or day without permission from home or school.  Students shall not be allowed to leave the campus without proper permission at any time during the school day, including before school begins, after school while waiting for their bus, or any disciplinary session which the student has been directed to attend.  Students shall remain on the campus at all times unless granted permission to be off-campus, or be subject to disciplinary action.  Violations of attendance laws and regulations may lead to suspension and/or expulsion from school.

School personnel shall be expected to make every reasonable effort to assist a child who is habitually absent or tardy.   A student shall be considered habitually absent or habitually tardy when either condition continues to exist after all reasonable efforts by any school personnel, truant officer, or other law enforcement personnel have failed to correct the condition after the third (3^rd) unexcused absence or third (3^rd) unexcused occurrence of being tardy within any school semester.   The principal or designee, with the aid of the teachers, shall file a report of the school's efforts to effect regular attendance by the student with the Supervisor of Child Welfare and Attendance.  Any student who is a juvenile and who is considered habitually absent from school or habitually tardy shall be reported by visiting teachers and Supervisors of Child Welfare and Attendance to the family or juvenile court of the parish or city as a truant child.

Tardy, for the purpose of notification, shall include, but not be limited to being late to school, or leaving or checking out of school unexcused prior to the regularly scheduled dismissal time at the end of the school day.  However, it shall not include reporting late to class when transferring from one class to another during the school day.

GUARDIAN RESPONSIBLE

With regard to any student in grades kindergarten (K) through eighth (8^th) grade who is considered habitually absent or tardy, in any case where the student is the subject of a court ordered custody or visitation plan, the parent or legal guardian who is lawfully exercising actual physical custody or visitation of the student shall be responsible for the student’s attendance at school on those days and shall be solely responsible for any absence or tardiness of the child on such days.

Revised:  December, 1990                                                                Revised:  September, 2009

Revised:  October, 1994

Revised:  March, 1999

Revised:  September, 2008

Ref:  La. Rev. Stat. Ann. ''17:221, 17:221.1, 17:223, 17:228, 17:233; Louisiana Children’s Code, Art.  728, 730; Board minutes, 10-7-08.

                                                                                                        FILE:  JD

                                                                                                        Cf:  BD, IDDF, IHAD, JBE, JCD

                                                                                                        Cf:  JD-R, JDD, JDF

DISCIPLINE

The School Board recognizes the necessity for reasonable control and discipline over the conduct of pupils under its jurisdiction. It is the purpose of the Calcasieu 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 pupils who attend these schools.  The school's primary goal is to educate, not discipline; however, when the behavior of the individual pupil 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 in the public school system shall endeavor to hold each pupil to a strict accountability for any disorderly conduct in school, or on the playgrounds of the school, on the street or while going to or returning from school, or during intermission or recess. 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 pupil(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 pupil 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 pupil or a forcible offense provided that the force used must be reasonable and apparently necessary to prevent such offense.  A pupil 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 pupil 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 pupil may be immediately removed from a classroom by the teacher and placed in the custody of the principal or designee if the pupil's behavior prevents the orderly instruction of other pupils, poses an immediate threat to the safety of pupils or the teacher, or when a pupil exhibits disrespectful or threatening behavior toward a teacher such as using foul or abusive language or gestures directed at or threatening a pupil or teacher, when a pupil violates the school’s code of conduct, or when a pupil exhibits other disruptive, dangerous, or unruly behavior, including inappropriate physical contact, inappropriate verbal conduct, sexual or other harassment, throwing objects, inciting other pupils to misbehave, or destroying property. If removed, the student shall not receive credit for school work missed.  The pupil 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 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.

Any pupil 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 pupil 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 pupil, the pupil, 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. (Moved from below)

Upon the pupil being removed from class and sent to the principal's office, the principal or designee shall conduct a counseling session with the pupil to discuss the particular misconduct. Once removed, the pupil shall not be readmitted to the classroom until the principal has implemented one of the following disciplinary measures:

        a.             In-school suspension

        b.             Detention

        c.             Suspension

        d.             Initiation of expulsion hearings

        e.             Assignment to an alternative school

        f.              Requiring the completion of all assigned school and homework which would have been assigned and completed by the pupil during the period of suspension.

        g.             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 pupil has been removed from a classroom, the teacher may require the parent, tutor, or legal guardian of the pupil to have a conference with the teacher in the presence of the principal or his or her designee before the pupil is readmitted.  Upon the pupil'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 of the matter may be made to the appropriate building level committee.  In addition, 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.  If the disruptive behavior persists, the teacher may request that the principal transfer the pupil 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 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 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 pupil's registration card or by sending a certified letter to the address shown on the pupil's registration card.

REPORTS TO PRINCIPAL

Any teacher or other school employee may report to the principal any pupil who acts in a disorderly manner or is in violation of school rules, or any misconduct or violation of school rules by a pupil who may or may not be known to the teacher or employee.  Incidents of alleged discipline violations shall be reported on two (2) forms, one form to report only school transportation-related incidents and one form to report all other incidents 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 Board, 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 designee and to the teacher or school employee reporting the violation.

DELINQUENT STUDENTS

Pupils 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 pupil 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 education program, or transfer to adult education if the pupil 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.

DEFINITIONS (moved below)

In-school suspension means removing a pupil from his/her normal classroom setting but maintaining him/her under supervision of the school.  Pupils participating in in-school suspension may receive credit for work performed during the in-school suspension.  Any pupil who fails to comply fully with the rules for in-school suspension shall be subject to immediate suspension.

Detention means activities, assignments, or work held before the normal school day, after the normal school day, or on weekends.  Failure or refusal by a pupil to participate in assigned detention shall subject the pupil to immediate suspension.

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 policy JDF, Discipline of Students With Disabilities. applicable statutes or federal law and regulations.

CALCASIEU PARISH SCHOOL BOARD HEAD START

1.        Grantee and delegate agencies must ensure that all staff, consultants, and volunteers abide by the program’s standards of conduct.  These standards must specify that:

a.                                            No child will be left alone or unsupervised while under their care;

b.                                            They will use positive methods of child guidance and will not engage in corporal punishment, emotional or physical abuse, or humiliation.  In addition, they will not employ methods of discipline that involve isolation, the use of food as punishment or reward, or the denial of basic needs.

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 means removing a pupil from his/her normal classroom setting but maintaining him/her under supervision of the school.  Pupils participating in in-school suspension may receive credit for work performed during the in-school suspension.  Any pupil who fails to comply fully with the rules for in-school suspension shall be subject to immediate suspension. shall mean (1) student is removed from his/her usual classroom placement to an alternative setting for a minimum of one complete school day, and (2) No interruption of services occurs.  (An alternative setting 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 means activities, assignments, or work held before the normal school day, after the normal school day, or on weekends.  Failure or refusal by a pupil to participate in assigned detention shall subject the pupil 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 pupil.

In-school expulsion shall mean (1) Student is temporarily removed from his/her usual classroom placement to an alternative setting for a period of time specified by the Office of Child Welfare and Attendance, and (2) No interruption of instructional services occurs.  (An alternative setting 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.)

Expulsion shall mean the removal of a student from school for at least one school semester.

Exclusion shall mean the removal of a pupil from a specific school with reassignment to another appropriate educational environment that addresses the student's educational needs without loss of instructional time.

Revised:  December, 1990                                                Revised:  September, 1997

Revised:  December, 1992                                                Revised:  August, 1999

Revised:  November, 1993                                               Revised:  August, 2003

Revised:  August, 1994                                     Revised:  September, 2009

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; Regulations for Implementation of the Exceptional Children's Act, Bulletin 1706, Louisiana Department of Education; Board minutes, 10-14-03

FILE:  JDA

CORPORAL PUNISHMENT

  Teachers and principals are authorized to use reasonable corporal punishment against any pupil for good cause in order to maintain discipline and order within the schools, with the exception of the Calcasieu Parish Schools Headstart centers.  Headstart guidelines prohibit teachers and administrators from engaging in corporal punishment, emotional or physical abuse or humiliation. 

Therefore, the Calcasieu Parish School board hereby authorizes its teachers and prinicpals to employ, when necessary, corporal punishment in a reasonable manner to maintain discipline and order in the schools or at all school-sponsored activities, subject to the following regulations:

For purposes of clarity, corporal punishment, as described herein, shall be defined as, and limited to, the administering of physical punishment by means of paddling or spanking the buttocks.  Consideration must be given to the age, size, emotional condition, and health of the students.  When physical punishment is administered, there is always the possibility of physical injury and subsequent legal ramifications.  Therefore, extreme caution should be employed when administering corporal punishment.

However, nothing contained herein shall be interpreted as prohibiting an employee from using physical force, reasonable and appropriate under the circumstances, in defending himself against a physical attack by a student or to restrain a student from attacking another student or employee.

IMPERMISSIBLE CORPORAL PUNISHMENT

In instances where allegations of abuse of a student are reported against an employee, principal or other school official, through the administering of impermissible corporal punishment or any other moral offense, the Superintendent shall promptly investigate the action. 

Ref:     U.S. Constitution, Amend. XIII

U.S. Constitution, Amend. XIV, Sec.1

Ingraham v. Wright , 97 S. Ct. 1401, (1977)

Jones v. Palmer, 421 F. Supp. 738 (S.D. Ala. 1976)

Baker v. Owen , 96 S. Ct. 210 affirming 395 F. Supp. 294 (M.D.N.C., 1975)

Thompson v. Iberville Parish SB, App. 1 Cir. 1979, 372 So. 2d 642, 374 So. 2d 650

La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§17:81.6 , 17:223 , 17:235.1 , 17:416 , 17:416.1

Calcasieu Parish School Board

                                                                                                                                        FILE:  JDD

                                                                                                                        Cf:  IDDG, JBC

                                                                                                                        Cf:  JCDAB, JD, JDE

SUSPENSION OF STUDENTS

The Calcasieu 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.

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 involving a firearm, knife or other dangerous instrumentality, or drugs, narcotics or other controlled dangerous substances during the same school year, shall, upon committing the fourth offense, be expelled from all the public schools of the system until the beginning of the next regular school year, and the pupil's reinstatement shall be subject to the review and approval of the Board.

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.

Except for in-school suspensions, any pupil suspended shall receive no credit for school work missed while suspended.

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 (Moved from below)

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:  August, 2003

Revised:  August, 1994                                                                     Revised:  August, 2005

Revised:  December, 1995                                                                                Revised:  September, 2006

Revised:  July, 1996                                                                                         Revised:  August, 2007

Revised:  September, 1997                                                                               Revised:  September, 2009

Revised:  August, 1999

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, 10-14-03, 5-8-06, 2-6-07, 9-4-07.

                                                                                                        FILE:  JDE

                                                                                                        Cf;  IDDG, IHAD, JBC,JCD

                                                                                                        Cf:  JCDAB, JD, JDD

EXPULSION

The Calcasieu Parish School Board may expel a pupil from school if an offense committed by the pupil is serious enough to warrant such action or is in violation of state law.  Upon the recommendation for expulsion of a pupil by the principal, the Superintendent or his/her designee shall conduct a hearing to determine the facts of the case and make a finding of whether or not the student is guilty of conduct warranting a recommendation of expulsion. Notification of the time, date, and place of the expulsion hearing shall be mailed to the parents.  Following the hearing, the Superintendent or his/her designee shall notify the parents of the decision rendered.

At the hearing, the principal and/or teacher concerned may be represented by any person appointed by the Superintendent and the concerned teacher shall be permitted to attend and present any relevant information.  Until the hearing, the pupil shall remain suspended. 

Upon the conclusion of the hearing and upon finding the student guilty of conduct warranting expulsion, the Superintendent shall determine whether such student shall be expelled and the specified period of expulsion, or if other disciplinary action shall be taken.  Unless otherwise stipulated by state statutes, the period of expulsion shall not be less than one school semester and may carry over into the next school year, if necessary. During an expulsion, except for students expelled for offenses involving a firearm, knife or other dangerous weapon or instrumentality, or drugs, narcotics or other controlled dangerous substances, the School Board shall place the student in an alternative school or in an alternative school setting.

The parent or tutor of the pupil may, within five (5) days after the decision to expel has been rendered, request the Board to review the findings of the Superintendent or designee at a time set by the Board.  After reviewing the findings of the Superintendent or designee, the School Board may affirm, modify, or reverse the action of the Superintendent or designee.

Any pupil who is expelled shall receive no credit for school work missed while he/she is expelled.

EXPULSION INVOLVING FIREARMS

Any student, age sixteen (16) or older, or under sixteen (16) and in grades six (6) through twelve (12), who is found guilty of being in possession of a firearm on school property, on a school bus or in actual possession at a school-sponsored event, pursuant to a hearing, shall be expelled from school for a minimum period of four (4) complete school semesters and shall be referred to the district attorney for appropriate action.

Any student in kindergarten through grade five (5) who is found guilty of being in possession of a firearm on school property, on a school bus, or in actual possession at a school-sponsored event, pursuant to a hearing, shall be expelled from school for a minimum period of two (2) complete school semesters and shall be referred to the district attorney for appropriate action.

The Superintendent, however, may modify the length of the minimum expulsion required in the above paragraphs on a case-by-case basis, provided such modification is in writing.

EXPULSION INVOLVING DRUGS

Any student, sixteen (16) years of age or older, found guilty of possession of, or knowledge of and intentional distribution of or possession with intent to distribute any illegal narcotic, drug, or other controlled substance on school property, on a school bus or at a school-sponsored event, pursuant to a hearing, shall be expelled from school for a minimum period of four (4) complete school semesters.

Any student who is under sixteen (16) years of age and in grades six (6) through twelve (12) and who is found guilty of possession of, or knowledge of and intentional distribution of or possession with intent to distribute any illegal narcotic, drug, or other controlled substance on school property, on a school bus, or at a school-sponsored event pursuant to a hearing shall be expelled from school for a minimum period of two (2) complete school semesters.

Any case involving a student in kindergarten through grade five (5) found guilty of possession of, or knowledge of and intentional distribution of or possession with intent to distribute any illegal narcotic, drug, or other controlled substance on school property, on a school bus, or at a school-sponsored event, pursuant to a hearing, shall be referred to the Board through a recommendation for action from the Superintendent.

ADDITIONAL REASONS FOR EXPULSION

Pupils may also be expelled for any of the following reasons:

1.             Any pupil, after being suspended for committing violations of any discipline policies or other rule infractions, depending on the severity of the behavior, may be expelled upon recommendation to the Superintendent by the principal and after an appropriate hearing is held by the Superintendent or designee.

2.             Any student who is found carrying or possessing a knife with a blade which equals or exceeds two (2) inches in length.

3.             In accordance with federal regulations, a pupil determined to have brought a weapon to a school under the Board's jurisdiction shall be expelled for a minimum of one calendar year.  The Superintendent may modify the expulsion requirement on a case-by-case basis.  A weapon, in accordance with federal statutes, means a firearm or any device which is designed to expel a projectile or any destructive device, which in turn means any explosive, incendiary or poison gas, bomb, grenade, rocket, missile, mine or similar device.

4.             Any student, after being suspended on three (3) occasions for committing drugs or weapons offenses involving a firearm, knife or other dangerous instrumentality, or drugs, narcotics or other controlled dangerous substances during the same school year, shall, upon committing the fourth offense, be expelled from all the public schools of the system until the beginning of the next regular school year, and the pupil's reinstatement shall be subject to the review and approval of the Board.

5.             The conviction of any pupil of a felony or the incarceration of any pupil in a juvenile institution for an act which had it been committed by an adult, would have constituted a felony, may be cause for expulsion of the pupil for a period of time as determined by the Board; such expulsions shall require the vote of two-thirds of the elected members of the Board.

EXPULSION NOT APPLICABLE

Expulsion shall not apply to the following:

1.             A student carrying or possessing a firearm or knife for purposes of involvement in a school class, course, or school approved co-curricular or extracurricular activity or any other activity approved by appropriate school officials.

2.             A student possessing any controlled dangerous substance that has been obtained directly or due to a valid prescription or order from a licensed physician.  However, such student shall carry evidence of that prescription or physician's order on his/her person at all times when in possession of any controlled dangerous substance which shall be subject to verification.

In addition, school officials, in accordance with statutory provisions, shall have total discretion and shall exercise such discretion in imposing on a pupil any disciplinary actions authorized by state law for possession by a pupil of a firearm or knife on school property when such firearm or knife is stored in a motor vehicle and there is no evidence of the pupil's intent to use the firearm or knife in a criminal manner.

READMITTANCE FOLLOWING EXPULSION

Required Parent Conference

In each case of expulsion, the school principal, or his or her designee, shall contact the parent, tutor, or legal guardian of the pupil to notify them of the expulsion, and establish a date and time for a conference with the principal or designee as a requirement for readmitting the pupil.  Notice shall be given by sending a certified letter to the address shown on the pupil's registration card.  Also, additional notification may be made by contacting the parent, tutor, or legal guardian by telephone at the telephone number shown on the pupil's registration card.

If the parent, tutor, or legal guardian fails to attend the required conference within five (5) school days of notification, the student may be considered a truant and dealt with according to all applicable statutory provisions.  On not more than one occasion each school year when the parents, tutor, or legal guardian refuses to respond, the principal may determine whether readmitting the pupil is in the best interest of the pupil.  On any subsequent occasions in the same school year, the pupil shall not be readmitted unless the parent, tutor, or legal guardian, court, or other appointed representative responds.

In any case where a teacher, principal, or other school employee is authorized to require the parent, tutor, or legal guardian of a pupil to attend a conference or meeting regarding the pupil's behavior and after notice, the parent, tutor, or legal guardian willfully refuses to attend, the principal or his or her designee shall file a complaint, in accordance with statutory provisions, with a court exercising juvenile jurisdiction.   

Readmittance After All Expulsions

Any pupil expelled may be readmitted to school on a probationary basis at any time during the expulsion period on such terms and conditions as may be stipulated by the School Board.  Readmission to school on a probationary basis shall be contingent on the pupil and legal guardian or custodian agreeing in writing to the conditions stipulated. Any such agreement shall contain a provision for immediate removal of the pupil from school premises without benefit of a hearing or other procedure upon the principal or Superintendent determining the pupil has violated any condition agreed to.  Immediately thereafter, the principal or designee shall provide proper notification in writing of the determination and reasons for removal to the Superintendent and the pupil's parent or legal guardian.

Readmittance After Expulsion for Firearms, Knives, Weapons, or Drugs

In addition to the readmittance provisions for all expulsions stated above, a pupil that has been expelled from any school in or out of state for possessing on school property or on a bus, a firearm, knife, or other dangerous weapon, or possessing or possession with intent to distribute or distributing, selling, giving, or loaning while on school property or a school bus any controlled dangerous substance shall not be enrolled or readmitted to any such school on a probationary basis prior to the completion of the period of expulsion until the pupil 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:  July, 1996

Revised:  September, 1997

Revised:  August, 2003

Revised:  August, 2007

Revised:  September, 2008

Revised:  September, 2009

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, 10-14-03, 9-4-07, 10-7-08.

                                                                                                                        FILE:  JGCD

                                                                                                                        Cf:  JGCD-AP

ADMINISTRATION OF MEDICATION

The administration of medication to students must be in compliance with the requirements of La. Rev. Stat. Ann. '17:436.1 and the policy established by the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE).  It shall be the policy of the Calcasieu Parish School Board that no school employee other than a registered nurse or licensed medical physician shall be required to administer medication until all the following conditions have been met.  As used in this policy, the term medication must include all prescription and non-prescription drugs. 

I.      WRITTEN ORDERS, APPROPRIATE CONTAINERS, LABELS, AND INFORMATION

        A.            Medication shall not be administered to any student without a completed Medication Order from a physician or dentist licensed to practice medicine in Louisiana or an adjacent state, or any other authorized prescriber authorized in the state of Louisiana to prescribe medication or devices, and a letter of request and authorization from the student's parent or guardian.  The following information shall be included:

                        1.             the student's name

                        2.             the name and signature of the physician/dentist/other authorized prescriber

                        3.             physician's/dentist's/other authorized prescriber's business address, office phone number, and emergency phone numbers

                        4.             student's diagnosis

                        5.             name, amount of each school dose, time of school administration, route of medication, and reason for use of medication

                        6.             a written statement of the desired effects and the child specific potential adverse effects

        B.             Medication shall be provided to the school by the parent/legal guardian in the container that meets acceptable pharmaceutical standards and shall include the following information:

                        1.             name of pharmacy

                        2.             address and telephone number of pharmacy

                        3.             prescription number

                        4.             date dispensed

                        5.             name of student

                        6.             clear directions for use, including the route, frequency, and other as indicated

                        7.             drug name and strength

                        8.             last name and initial of pharmacist

                          9.           cautionary auxiliary labels, if applicable

                        10.           physician's/dentist's/other authorized prescriber's name

Labels of prepackaged medications, when dispensed, shall contain the following information in addition to the regular pharmacy label:

                        1.             drug name

                        2.             dosage form

                        3.             strength

                        4.             quantity

                        5.             name of manufacturer and/or distributor

                        6.             manufacturer's lot or batch number

 II.   ADMINISTRATION OF MEDICATION:  GENERAL PROVISIONS

        A.            Once trained, the school employee who administers medication may not decline to perform such service at the time indicated, unless exempted in writing by the MD or RN.

        B.             During the period when the medication is administered the person administering medication must be relieved of all other duties.  This requirement does not include the observation period required in II.-F. 

        C.             Except in life-threatening situations, unlicensed but trained, school personnel may not administer injectable medications.

        D.            All medications must be stored in a secured locked area or locked drawer with limited access except by authorized school personnel.

        E.             Only oral, inhalant, topical ointment for diaper rash, and emergency medications must be administered at school by unlicensed, but trained, school personnel. 

        F.             Each student must be observed by a school employee for a period of forty-five (45) minutes following the administration of medication.  This observation may occur during instruction time.

        G.             School medication orders must be limited to medications which cannot be administered before or after school hours.

III.   PRINCIPAL

        The principal must designate at least two (2) employees to receive training and administer medications in each school.

IV.   TEACHER

        The classroom teacher who is not otherwise previously contractually required shall not be assigned to administer medications to students.  A teacher may request in writing to volunteer to administer medications to his/her own students. The administration of medications shall not be a condition of employment of teachers employed subsequent to July 1, 1994.  A regular education teacher who is assigned an exceptional child shall not be required to administer medications.

  V.   SCHOOL NURSE

        A.            The school nurse, in collaboration with the principal, shall supervise the implementation of the school policies for the administration of medications in schools to ensure the safety, health and welfare of the students.

        B.             The school nurse shall be responsible for the training of non-medical personnel who have been designated by each principal to administer medications in each school.  The training must be at least six (6) hours and include but not be limited to the following provisions:

                        1.             Proper procedures for administration of medications including controlled substances

                        2.             Storage and disposal of medications

                        3.             Appropriate and correct record keeping

                        4.             Appropriate actions when unusual circumstances or medication reactions occur

                        5.             Appropriate use of resources

 VI.  PARENT/LEGAL GUARDIAN

        A.            The parent/legal guardian who wishes medication administered to his/her child shall provide the following:

                        1.             A letter of request and authorization that contains the following information:

                                        a.             the student's name;

                                        b.             clear instructions for school administration;

                                        c.             RX number, if any;

                                        d.             current date;

                                        e.             student's diagnosis;

                                        f.              name, amount of each school dose, time of school administration, route of medication, and reason for use of medication;

                                        g.             physician's/dentist's/other authorized prescriber's name;

                                        h.             the parent's/legal guardian's printed name and signature;

                                        i.              parent's/legal guardian's emergency phone number;

                                        j.              statement granting or withholding release of medical information;

                        2.             A written order for each medication to be given at school, including annual renewals at the beginning of the school year.  The new orders dated before July of that school year shall not be accepted.  No corrections shall be accepted on the physician's Medication Order form.  Alteration of this form in any way or falsification of the signature is grounds for prosecution.  Orders for multiple medications on the same form, an incomplete form, or a form with a physician's/dentist's/other authorized prescriber's stamp shall not be accepted.  Faxed orders may be accepted; original orders must be received within five (5) business days.

                        3.             A prescription for all medications to be administered at school, including medications that might ordinarily be available over-the-counter.  Only the physician/dentist/other authorized prescriber or his/her staff may write on the Medication Order form.  This form must be signed by the physician/dentist/other authorized prescriber.

                        4.             A list of all medications that the student is currently receiving at home and school, if that listing is not a violation of confidentiality or contrary to the request of the parent/legal guardian or student.

                        5.             A list of names and telephone numbers of persons to be notified in case of medication emergency in addition to the parent/legal guardian and licensed physician/dentist/other authorized prescriber.

                        6.             Arrangements for the safe delivery of the medication to and from school in the properly labeled container as dispensed by the pharmacist; the medication must be delivered by a responsible adult. The parent/ legal guardian will need to get two (2) containers for each prescription from the pharmacist in order that the parent/legal guardian, as well as the school, will have a properly labeled container.  If the medication is not properly labeled and does not match the physician's order exactly, it will not be given.

        B.             All aerosol medications must be delivered to the school in pre-measured dosage.

        C.             Provide no more than a twenty (20) school day supply of medication in a properly labeled container to be kept at school.

        D.            The initial dose of a medication must be administered by the student's parent/legal guardian outside the school jurisdiction with sufficient time for observation for adverse reactions.

        E.             The parent/legal guardian must work with those personnel designated to administer medication as follows:

                        1.             Cooperate in counting the medication with the designated school personnel who receives it and sign the Drug Receipt form.

                        2.             Cooperate with school staff to provide for safe, appropriate administration of medications to students, such as positioning, and suggestions for liquids or foods to be given with the medication.

                        3.             Assist in the development of the emergency plan for each student.

                        4.             Comply with written and verbal communication regarding school policies.

                        5.             Grant permission for school nurse/physician/ dentist/other authorized prescriber consultation.

                        6.             Remove or give permission to destroy unused, contaminated, discontinued, or out-of-date medications according to the school guidelines.

VII.  STUDENT SELF-MEDICATION

        Only those medical conditions which require immediate access to medications to prevent a life threatening or potentially debilitating situation shall be considered for self administration of medication.  The most common medical conditions to meet this criterion are asthma and migraine headaches.  Compliance with the school policy for a drug free zone shall also be met if possible.

If a child has a known problem that is potentially serious and there is a method of helping the child and the school is denied an opportunity to help the child because the necessary materials are not made available, then the school cannot be held responsible to assist the child.  Therefore, the child should be excluded from the school until said materials are made available.

        Asthma or the Use of Auto-Injectable Epinephrine

        Self-administration of medications by a student with asthma or the use of auto-injectable epinephrine by a student at risk of anaphylaxis shall be permitted by the School Board, provided the student’s parent or other legal guardian provides the school in which the student is enrolled with the following documentation:

        A.            Written authorization for the student to carry and self-     administer such prescribed medications,

        B.             Written certification from a licensed medical physician or other authorized prescriber that the student:

                        1.             has asthma or is at risk of having anaphylaxis

2.     has received instruction in the proper method of self-administration of the student’s prescribed medications to treat asthma or anaphylaxis

        C.             A written treatment plan from the student’s licensed physician or other authorized prescriber for managing asthma or anaphylactic episodes.  The treatment plan shall be signed by the student, the student’s parent or other legal guardian, and the student’s physician or other authorized prescriber.  The treatment plan shall contain the following information:

1.     The name, purpose, and prescribed dosage of the medications to be self-administered.

2.     The time or times the medications are to be regularly administered and under what additional special circumstances the medications are to be administered.

3.     The length of time for which the medications are prescribed.

        D.            Any other documentation required by the School Board.

The required documentation shall be maintained in the office of the school nurse or other designated school official.

The School Board shall inform the parent or other legal guardian of the student in writing that the school and its employees shall incur no liability as a result of any injury sustained by the student from the self-administration of medications used to treat asthma or anaphylaxis.  The parent or other legal guardian of the student shall sign a statement acknowledging that the school shall incur no liability and that the parent or other legal guardian shall indemnify and hold harmless the school and its employees against any claims that may arise relating to the self-administration of medications used to treat asthma or anaphylaxis.

A student who has been granted permission to self-administer medication by the School Board shall be allowed to carry and store with the school nurse or other designated school official an inhaler or auto-injectable epinephrine, or both, at all times.

Permission for the self-administration of asthma medications or use of auto-injectable epinephrine by a student shall be effective only for the school year in which permission is granted.  Permission for self-administration of asthma medications or the use of auto-injectable epinephrine by a student shall be granted by the School Board each subsequent school year, provided all of the requirements of this part of the policy are fulfilled.

Upon obtaining permission to self-administer asthma medication or to use auto-injectable epinephrine, a student shall be permitted to possess and self-administer such prescribed medication at any time while on school property or while attending a school sponsored activity.  A student who uses any medication permitted by this policy in a manner other than as prescribed shall be subject to disciplinary action; however, such disciplinary action shall not limit or restrict such student’s immediate access to such prescribed medication.

Auto-injectable epinephrine means a medical device for the immediate self-administration of epinephrine by a person at risk for anaphylaxis.

Inhaler means a medical device that delivers a metered dose of medication to alleviate the symptoms of asthma.

        Other Permitted Medications

Self-administration of other medications by a student may be permitted by the School Board, provided that:

        1.             Medication Order from the physician or authorized prescriber and authorization from the student's parent or guardian shall be on file and communication with the prescriber has been established.

2.     The school nurse has evaluated the situation and deemed it to be safe and appropriate; documented this on the student's cumulative health record;  and has developed a medical administration plan for general supervision.  The plan may include observation of the procedure, student health counseling and health instruction regarding the principles of self-care.

        3.             The principal and appropriate staff are informed that the student is self-administering the prescribed medication.

        4.             The medication is handled in a safe, appropriate manner.

        5.             The school principal and the school employed registered nurse determine a safe place for storing the medication.

                        The medication must be accessible if the student's health needs require it; this information is included in the medication administration plan.

        6.             Some medication should have a backup supply readily available (such as an asthma inhaler).

        7.             The student records the medication administration and reports unusual circumstances (as a general rule the student must record all dates and times he/she is self-medicating during school hours.  The medication log shall be kept in the main office where the student shall record this information unless otherwise noted on the student's Individual Administration Plan).

        8.             The school employed registered nurse, and/or the designated employee monitors the student.

9.     In addition, trained, unlicensed school personnel that administer medication must be inserviced on health protocols.

10.   If a child no longer needs to carry medication at school or on a field trip, the school must receive a written statement from the physician/certified nurse practitioner to that effect, or the child will not be allowed to attend the school/field trip.

VIII. Acceptable School Medications

        School medication orders shall be limited to medications which must be administered during the school day.  Parents may come to school and administer medication to their children at any time during the school day following submission of proper physician’s authorization for medications and arrangements with the school principal.

        Medications which may be considered as acceptable under this policy:

a.     Medication to modify behavior (e.g., Ritalin, when the sustained action form of this medication is not effective.)

b.     Severe allergic reactions ‑ must have specific written instructions from a physician.

c.     Anticonvulsive medication.

d.     Medication for asthma.

e.     Medication given in extenuating circumstances.

f.      Non-prescription (over-the-counter) drugs will only be given if medical certification of extenuating circumstances and prescription is obtained.

g.     Antibiotics and other short‑term medications will not be given at school, unless so ordered by a physician, dentist, or authorized prescriber.

h.     Other specific illnesses that require medication.

IX.   FIELD TRIPS

        If the parent/legal guardian of a student normally on medication does not request in writing that medication be administered on a pending field trip, then no School Board employee shall be responsible for administering medication to the student on the field trip.  If the parent/legal guardian does not provide the required paperwork and medication (whether taken at school/home or both) to the school prior to the field trip, then the student cannot attend the field trip.

        If the parent/legal guardian of a student requests in writing that medication be administered on a pending field trip then:

        1.             a person certified to administer medication must go on the field trip; and

        2.             a nurse must be on call while the field trip is being taken.

In the event that a certified School Board employee is not available, the parent/ legal guardian or a non-School Board employee designee (designated in writing by the parent/legal guardian) should attend the field trip to administer medication.

In the event that a certified School Board employee is not available, and neither the parent/legal guardian nor their designee can attend the field trip to administer medication, then the child may not attend the field trip.

The Protocol on Field Trips for Students with Diabetes shall be followed for students with diabetes.

X.    EXTENDED DAY CARE

        In the event that a student attends extended day care and requires medication outside school hours (before or after school), medication orders that include the dosage(s), time(s), and medication(s), must be obtained from the physician/dentist/other authorized prescriber.

XI.   STUDENT CONFIDENTIALITY

All student information shall be kept confidential.  The parent/legal guardian shall be required to sign the Authorization for Release of Confidential Information form, so that health information can be shared between the School Board and health care providers, such as hospitals, physician, service agency, school nurse, and/or other health provider.

Revised:  December, 1995

Revised:  February, 1996

Revised:  August, 1997

Revised:  September, 2001

Revised:  June, 2008

Revised:  September, 2009

Ref:  La. Rev. Stat. Ann. ''17:81, 17:436.1; Louisiana Administrative Code, Vol. 18, Education (BESE), Section 929, Administration of Medication, Louisiana Handbook for School Administrators, Bulletin 741, Louisiana Department of Education; Board minutes 10-17-95, 6-17-97, 6-5-01, 8-5-08.

                                                                                                                        FILE:  GAMD

Cf:  GAMEB

ALCOHOL/DRUG FREE WORKPLACE

No employee shall unlawfully manufacture, distribute, dispense, possess or use on or in the workplace any alcohol, narcotic drug, hallucinogenic drug, amphetamine, barbiturate, marijuana or any other controlled substance as defined in Schedules I through V of Section 202 of the Federal Controlled Substances Act and subsequent regulations.

"Workplace" shall be defined as the site for the performance of work done in connection with any activity under the auspices of the Calcasieu Parish School Board.  Such definition includes any school building or other school premises; any school owned vehicle or any other school-approved vehicle used to transport students to and from school or school activities; off-school property during any school-sponsored or school-approved activity, event, or function, such as a field trip or athletic event, where students are under the jurisdiction of the School Board.

As a condition of employment, each employee shall notify his or her supervisor of his or her conviction of any criminal drug statute for a violation occurring in the workplace no later than five (5) days after such conviction.  Also, as a condition of employment, each employee shall abide by the terms of the school district policy respecting a drug-free workplace.  An employee who violates the terms of this policy may be non-renewed or his or her employment may be suspended or terminated, at the discretion of the Board.

Sanctions against employees, including nonrenewal, suspension and termination shall be in accordance with provisions of the Calcasieu Parish School Board Policy Manual.

Revised:  December, 1992

Revised:  June, 1993

Ref:     20 USC 7101 et seq. (Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities)

21 USC 812 (Schedules of controlled substances)

41 USC 701-707 (Drug-Free Workplace)

21 CFR 1308.11 (Schedules of controlled substances)

La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§17:405 , 40:961 , 40:962 , 40:963 , 40:964 , 40:967 , 40:968 , 40:969 , 40:970 , 40:971 , 40:971.1

Board minutes, 8-1-89 , 5-18-93 , 9-17-02

Calcasieu Parish School Board

FILE:  GAME

Cf:  EGAC, GAMD, GAMEB

EMPLOYEE ALCOHOL, DRUG, AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE

 The Calcasieu Parish School Board, sometimes thereafter referred to as the School Board, has a strong commitment to its constitutionally mandated mission to provide a safe work force and to establish policies promoting high standards of employee health and safety.  In keeping with these commitments, it is the School Board’s intent to maintain a drug/alcohol-free work force.

Employees are expected to report to work in a physical and emotional condition that will allow them to perform their assigned tasks in a competent and safe manner.  The use, abuse, presence in the body, or reporting to work under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or and other substances by an employee limits the ability of the user to exercise good judgment, react properly in unexpected situations, perform tasks safely and efficiently, and endangers not only that employee, but fellow employees, the students, and the general public. 

The use, abuse or presence of any alcohol or drugs by any employee while at work, on School Board property, on School Board business or at a School Board function is strictly prohibited, except as provided herein.  No employee shall report for work while under the influence of alcohol or any drug, unless:  that drug has been prescribed by a licensed physician; and only after the employee has been cleared by his physician and his immediate supervisor for duty.   Violation of this policy shall result in immediate disciplinary action, which range of actions can include termination, pursuant to the provisions of LSA-R.S. 17:441 et seq.

Any employee, who is reasonably suspected of being under the influence of any prohibited substance, is subject to drug testing, including, without limitation, breathalyzer, blood and/or urine testing.  Any delay in submitting to a drug screen or the employee’s refusal to submit to a drug screen shall create a presumption of impairment under this policy, as well as a violation of this policy.  Any attempt to alter the results of a drug screen will be considered a violation of this policy.

The Calcasieu Parish School Board has implemented this policy to eliminate these problems and to meet the following objectives:

Ref:     49 USC 5331 (The Omnibus Transportation Employee Testing Act of 1991)

49 CFR 10 (Maintenance of and Access to Records Pertaining to Individuals)

49 CFR 40 et seq. (Transportation Workplace Drug and Alcohol Testing Programs)

49 CFR 382 (Controlled Substances and Alcohol Use and Testing)

49 CFR 391 (Qualifications of Drivers and Longer Combination Vehicle Driver Instructors)

La. Rev. Stat. Ann §§17:81 , 23:1081 , 23:1601 , 49:1001

Board minutes, 4-8-08

Calcasieu Parish School Board

FILE:   JCDAA

STUDENT SMOKING TOBACCO USE

 Students shall not be permitted to have tobacco in their possession or to smoke on the school grounds, or in school facilities during the school day, or at school activities held in school facilities after school hours, or when riding school buses to and from school or a school function away from school.  Parental permission to smoke or use other tobacco products does not exempt a student from this policy.  Violations shall subject the student to appropriate disciplinary action.

Ref:     La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §17:416

Calcasieu Parish School Board

FILE: GBRIB

Cf:  EGAA

SICK LEAVE

The Calcasieu Parish School Board shall grant all employees hired for the school year or longer a minimum of ten (10) days absence per year because of personal illness or other emergencies without loss of pay in accordance with the following schedule:

Sick leave, when not used, shall be allowed to accumulate to the credit of the employee without limitation.  However, upon initial employment, a teacher employed by the Board shall not be allowed any sick leave until he/she reports for duty and actually performs work.  

The minimum of ten days of sick leave for an employee shall be based on the employee beginning work at the beginning of the school year.  In the case of an employee beginning work in the first month of the school year, ten days sick leave shall be allowed.  If an employee begins work in the second month of the school year, nine days of sick leave shall be allowed.  If an employee begins work in the third month of the school year, eight days of sick leave shall be allowed; if an employee begins work in the fourth month of the school year, seven days of sick leave shall be allowed; and the number of days of sick leave shall continue to be prorated for an employee who begins work until the eighth month of the school year, when only three days of sick leave shall be allowed.  The Superintendent and/or his/her designee shall be responsible for developing and maintaining pertinent regulations and procedures governing sick leave.

All other employees (10, 11, and 12 month employees) will be given a minimum of 10, 11, or 12 days which will be based on the employee's hire date.  If hired after the appropriate starting time, their sick leave will be prorated from a schedule established by the Personnel Department.

An employee who is absent for six (6) or more consecutive days or portions of a day and fails to submit a certificate from a physician certifying the absences shall be docked a full day's pay for time missed beginning on the 6th consecutive day of absence and each consecutive day thereafter, until the employee returns to work. In the case of repeated absences of less than six days because of illness, the Board reserves the right to require verification of illness.  Should a pattern of behavior so warrant, upon the request of the Superintendent or his/her designee, the employee shall be required, at the expense of the school system, to provide a certificate from a physician specified by the school system, in order to verify the existence of a medical disability.

Excuses for employee absences due to illness or injury must be provided on physician’s letterhead containing the physician’s name, address, and telephone number, typed, printed or as part of the letterhead.  The physician's typed or neatly printed name shall also appear beneath his/her signature.  The letter must clearly state the reason for the disability, date of the disability, and the anticipated return-to-work date. 

Upon the retirement of any employee, or upon the employee entering DROP (see section below), or upon the employee's death prior to retirement, the School Board shall pay the employee or his/her heirs or assigns, for any unused sick leave, not to exceed twenty-five (25) days.  Such pay shall be at the daily rate of pay paid to the employee at the time of his/her retirement or death.

If an employee is absent from duty under circumstances in which he/she is not entitled to any kind of leave, such employee shall be considered to be in violation of his/her contract, and is not entitled to be paid for the days of unauthorized absence and non-performance of duties.

SICK LEAVE FOR EMERGENCIES

Emergencies for sick leave purposes shall be defined by the Board as:

1.                    serious illness or disability of immediate family (spouse or children);
 

2.                    serious illness or disability of the employee's parents or those to the spouse, brothers and sisters or those of the spouse; or
 

3.                    wedding of the employee.

Emergencies not listed shall be considered by the Superintendent.

EXTENDED SICK LEAVE

The Board shall permit employees to take up to ninety (90) days of extended sick leave in each six-year period of employment which may be used for personal illness or illness of an immediate family member at any time the employee has no remaining regular sick leave balance at the time the extended sick leave is set to begin. The initial six-year period of employment shall begin on August 15, 1999 for all teachers and bus drivers employed as of that date, on August 15, 2008 for school employees (not a teacher, or whose employment does not require a teacher’s certificate or who is not employed as a bus driver) employed as of that date, or on the effective date of employment for those employees employed after the dates above.   Immediate family member means a spouse, parent, or child of the employee.

Unused days during any six-year period of employment shall not cumulate or carry forward into the next six-year period of employment.  The balance of days of extended sick leave available shall transfer with the employee from one public school employer to another without loss or restoration of days.

Interruptions of service between periods of employment with a public school employer shall not be included in any calculation of a six-year period, such that any employment with any public school employer, regardless of when it occurs, shall be included in any determination of the balance of days of extended sick leave available to the employee.

Any employee on extended sick leave shall be paid sixty-five percent (65%) of the salary paid the employee at the time the extended sick leave begins.

Gainful Employment Permitted

An employee may undertake additional gainful employment while on extended sick leave, provided all of the following conditions are met:

1.                    The employee can demonstrate that he/she will be working not more than twenty (20) hours a week in a part-time job that the employee has been working for not less than one hundred twenty (120) days prior to the beginning of any period of extended sick leave.
 

2.                    The physician who certifies the medical necessity of the leave indicates that such part-time work does not impair the purpose for which the extended sick leave is required.

Any violation of the provisions regarding gainful employment may require the employee to return to the Board all compensation paid during any week of extended sick leave in which the employee worked more than twenty (20) hours and to reimburse the Board all related employment costs attributable to such period as calculated by the Board, without any restoration of leave days.

Application Process

On every occasion when an employee uses extended sick leave, a statement from a licensed physician certifying that the leave is medically necessary for the employee or that the immediate family member's illness is serious and requires the presence of the employee shall be presented prior to extended sick leave being taken, whenever possible.

If the period an employee is on extended sick leave is anticipated to carry over from one school year to the start of the next school year, another application and physician’s statement must be submitted prior to the start of the next school year in order to be eligible for extended sick leave. 

1.                    If the Board, upon review of the application, questions the validity or accuracy of the certification, the Board may require the employee, or the immediate family member, as a condition for continued extended sick leave, to be examined by a licensed physician selected by the Board.  In such case the Board shall pay all costs of the examination and any tests determined to be necessary.  If the physician selected by the Board finds medical necessity, the leave shall be granted.
 

2.                    If the Board selected physician disagrees with the original medical certification from the physician selected by the employee, then the Board may require the employee, or immediate family member, as a condition for continued extension of sick leave, to be examined by a third licensed physician, whose name appears next in the rotation of physicians on a list established by the local medical society and maintained by the Board.  All costs of an examination and any required tests by a third doctor shall be paid by the Board. The final determination of medical necessity shall be based on the opinion of the third physician.

3.                    The opinion of all physicians consulted in determining medical necessity of the extended sick leave shall be submitted to the Board in the form of a sworn statement.  All information contained in any statement from a physician shall be confidential and shall not be subject to the public records law.

The required physician's statement may be presented along with the request for extended sick leave subsequent to the employee’s return to service.  In such a case, the extended sick leave shall be granted for all days for which extended sick leave is requested, provided the request and required documentation is presented within three (3) days after the teacher returns to service.  The School Board, however, reserves the right to question the validity of the medical certification after the three day period.

SICK LEAVE FOR ASSAULT OR BATTERY

Any employee of the public schools who is injured and disabled while acting in his/her official capacity as a result of an assault or battery by any student or person shall receive sick leave without reduction in pay, and without reduction in accrued sick leave days while disabled as a result of such assault and battery.  The employee shall be required to provide a certificate from a physician certifying such injury and incapacitation.  The sick leave authorized shall be in addition to all other sick leave authorized herein, shall not be accumulated from year to year, nor shall such additional sick leave be compensated for at death or retirement, or compensated for in any manner except as set forth above.

SICK LEAVE FOR PHYSICAL CONTACT WITH A STUDENT

Any teacher who is injured or disabled while acting in his/her official capacity as a result of physical contact with a student while providing physical assistance to a student to prevent danger or risk of injury to the student, shall receive sick leave for a period of up to one (1) calendar year without reduction in pay and without reduction in accrued sick leave days while injured or disabled as a result of rendering such assistance.  Any school employee, but not a bus operator, injured or disabled in a similar manner shall receive up to ninety (90) days of such sick leave.  The teacher or employee shall be required to present a certificate from a physician certifying such injury or disability.  The Board may extend the period of sick leave beyond the allowable period at its discretion.

If the School Board questions the validity or accuracy of the physician’s certification submitted by a teacher, the School Board may require the teacher to be examined by a licensed physician selected by the Board.  Any further review of medical certification shall proceed in the same manner as requests for extended sick leave, which is outlined under Application Process above.  The Board shall pay all costs of any examinations and tests determined to be necessary.

SICK LEAVE/WORKERS' COMPENSATION

Should any teacher become injured or disabled while acting in his or her official capacity, other than by assault, the teacher  shall be entitled to appropriate worker's compensation benefits and/or sick leave benefits, at the teacher's option, for the period of time while injured or disabled.  Any benefits received, however, shall not exceed the total amount of the regular salary the teacher was receiving at the time of injury or disability.  The teacher shall be required to present a certificate from a physician certifying such injury or incapacitation.

VESTING OF SICK LEAVE

All sick leave accumulated by a teacher or school employee, but not a bus operator, shall be vested in the teacher or school employee by whom such leave has been accumulated.  In the event of the transfer of a teacher or school employee from one school system to another in Louisiana, or upon the return of such teacher or school employee to the same school system within five (5) years or such longer period that may be approved by the Board to which the teacher or school employee returned, regardless of the dates on which the leave was accumulated or the date of transfer or return of the teacher or school employee, such vested leave which remains unused or for which the employee has not been compensated directly or transferred such days for retirement credit, shall be transferred, returned to, or continued by the School Board and shall be retained to the credit of teacher or school employee.

DEFERRED RETIREMENT OPTION PROGRAM (DROP)

Any employee of the Calcasieu Parish School Board who participates in the Deferred Retirement Option Program (DROP) shall be eligible for and may elect to receive on a one-time basis severance pay (accrued sick leave up to a maximum of twenty-five (25) days) upon entering DROP on the same basis as any other employee who retires or otherwise leaves employment; otherwise, any accrued sick leave shall be paid only upon final retirement of the employee.

DEFINITIONS

Teacher:

Any person employed by the School Board who holds a valid teaching certificate issued by the Louisiana Department of Education and any social worker, guidance counselor, or school psychologist employed by the Board who holds a valid professional ancillary certificate in social work, guidance counseling, or school psychology issued by the Louisiana Department of Education.

Bus Driver:

Any person employed by the School Board who operates a school bus transporting children under the supervision of the School Board.

School Employee:

Any person employed by the School Board who is not a teacher or whose employment does not require the holding of a teacher's certificate or who is not employed as a bus driver.

Ref:     La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§14:125 , 17:425 , 17:425.1 , 17:500 , 17:500.1 , 17:1200 , 17:1201 , 17:1202 , 17:1205 , 17:1206 , 17:1206.1 , 17:1206.2

Board minutes, 3-17-92 , 6-5-01 , 3-11-03 , 12-7-04 , 10-7-08

Calcasieu Parish School Board

                                                                                                                                FILE:  JQK

                                                                                                                                Cf:  JQK-AP

FOREIGN EXCHANGE STUDENTS

This policy applies to international exchange program students from other countries who are temporarily in Calcasieu Parish without their parents/legal guardians for the purpose of attending school. (moved below)

The Calcasieu Parish School Board recognizes the educational and cultural value of international exchange programs and students and authorizes the admission of a limited number.  International exchange students are educated at the expense of the school district.  International exchange program students from other countries who are those are temporarily in Calcasieu Parish without their parents/legal guardians for the purpose of attending school.  To protect the interest of the district, its schools and students, the only international exchange students to be admitted are students from district-approved exchange programs.

International exchange students are approved by the district on an annual basis.  District approval must be obtained prior to seeking the admission of any international exchange student to a public school in Calcasieu Parish.  For the year of admittance, the sponsoring agency of any exchange student must be included in the list published by the Council for Standards on International Educational Travel and be approved by the United States Immigration Agency to qualify for J-1 visas.

The Superintendent will establish procedures and regulations for the administration of this program to ensure that the acceptance and placement of international exchange students will be a beneficial experience for all involved.

Revised:  April, 2009

Ref:  Council on Standards for International Educational Travel; Board minutes, 11-2-93.

                                                                                                                FILE:  JQK-AP

                                                                                                                                Cf:  JQK

CALCASIEU PARISH SCHOOLS

ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES                                      DATE ISSUED: 11‑2‑93

                                                                                                                REVISED:  April, 2009

SUBJECT:  INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGE PROGRAM STUDENTS

I.      Program Requirements

        To be considered for approval by the Calcasieu Parish School system, international student exchange programs must meet the following minimum requirements:

        1.     The sponsoring agency must be approved by and be in good standing with the Council for Standards on International Educational Travel (CSIET) and be a United States Information Agency (USIA) designated organization.

        2.     The sponsoring agency must have a local representative who resides within Calcasieu Parish and who is available to meet with the school personnel, the student, and the host family.

        3.     The sponsoring agency must submit an annual application for approval to the Assistant Superintendent of High Schools.  The application format will be prescribed by the District.  Applications will be due by February 1 for consideration for the following school year.

        4.     As part of the application process, the local representative of the sponsoring agency must sign a written agreement to abide by all policies and procedures of the Calcasieu Parish School Board.

II.    Student Requirements

        1.     The student must reside with a legal adult resident of Calcasieu Parish.

2.     The student must possess a J‑1 visa.  The Calcasieu Parish School Board is not legally authorized to issue the documents necessary for the acquisition of an F-1 Visa.

        3.     As of September 30 of the program year, the student must be between the ages of 15 and 18‑1/2.

        4.     The student must not have graduated from high school or its equivalent in his/her home country.

        5.     The student must not have spent previous time in the United States as part of a Foreign Exchange Program.

        6.     The student must have average or above average grades in his/her home school and must not be receiving special professional assistance to function in the regular academic program.

        7.     The student must have sufficient knowledge of the English language to produce effective oral and written communication, to use instructional materials and textbooks printed in English, and to function in the regular educational program without special professional assistance.

        8.     The student must submit the following documents to request admission:

                a.             Proof of English language proficiency.  Evidence he/she has successfully completed a minimum of 3 years of English language instruction which includes speaking and listening as well as writing.

                b.             Evidence of English proficiency as documented by either the (SLEP) Secondary Level English Proficiency Test or the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).  A letter of recommendation from an English language teacher documenting the nature of the course and the student's level of proficiency.

                c.             Official transcript and/or record of prior education from the student's home school and an English translation of the same documents.  The records should reflect the number of hours per week the student spent in class, the courses taken and the grades/credits earned.

                d.             A written application from the prospective student must be submitted to the Assistant Superintendent of High Schools, Calcasieu Parish School Board, P.O. Box 800, Lake Charles, La. 70602.  The application/letter should provide pertinent information about the student and his/her reasons for wanting to attend school in Calcasieu Parish for the academic year.

                e.             A copy of his/her health/immunization records, translated into English.

        f.              Evidence of health and accident insurance covering the duration of his/her student visa.

        g.             The name, address, and phone number(s) of the student's own parents/guardians and the local international exchange program representative.

         h.            Two character references, one of which must be from a professional staff member in the student's home school.

        i.              A notarized temporary custody agreement between the international exchange student's parents/guardians and the host family and/or exchange organization must be furnished prior to the students enrollment in school.

III.   Admission of International Exchange Students.  Only exchange students who have met the criteria outlined in the previous section may seek admission to Calcasieu Parish schools.

        1.             All applications and supporting documentation must be submitted to the Calcasieu Parish Assistant Superintendent of High Schools by May 1.

        2.             All applications will be screened by the Assistant Superintendent of High Schools before they are forwarded for review and approval by the principal of the school where admission is being requested.  The Assistant Superintendent of High Schools will inform the applicant's sponsoring agency in writing of acceptance or rejection by June 15 of the program year. Copies of this notification will be sent to the Principal of the receiving school and to Child Welfare and Attendance.

        3.             International exchange students must arrive in time for attendance on the first day of school.

IV.   Placement of International Exchange Students

        Since international exchange students are educated tuition free at the expense of Calcasieu Parish and Louisiana taxpayers, only a limited number of students will be afforded this opportunity each year.

        1.             So that all high schools may have the opportunity to share in the experience of hosting international exchange students, exchange organizations are asked to disperse students they are sponsoring throughout the parish's high schools.

        2.             If there is a greater demand than can be accommodated by the parish schools, limits will be imposed.

        3.             Prior to the start of school, the host family shall accompany the exchange student to the Child Welfare and Attendance office to obtain a permit to register at the prospective school.

        4.             Upon obtaining a permit to register, the host family will accompany the exchange student to the assigned school to begin the registration process.

        5.             Student records will be forwarded to the assigned school by the assistant superintendent's office to facilitate academic placement.

V.     Exchange Student Status

        1.             Students will be treated as regular full‑time students. Students are responsible for complying with parish policies and regulations regarding attendance, academic standards, responsibilities and rights, discipline, and graduation requirements.

        2.             Students must enroll in one English class and one United States History or civics class.

        3.             Students must meet all LHSAA requirements to be eligible for athletics.

        4.             Students must pay all fees and school incurred expenses that are required of other students enrolled in Calcasieu Parish Schools.

        5.             Calcasieu Parish will not provide students with admission into such programs as Special Education for Handicapped Pupils, English as a Second Language, nor will it pay for students to attend other schools or institutions of higher education.

        6.             At the time of registration the exchange student and his/her host family shall be required to sign a form indicating compliance with all the conditions heretofore outlined.

VI.   Responsibilities of Exchange organizations and Host Families

        Exchange organizations and host families are in loco parentis with respect to adult supervision of international exchange students.  The following are specific responsibilities which the District expects these adults to assume.

        1.             Host family and local coordinator for the exchange organization must maintain personal contact with the school and must be available and willing to meet with school personnel when problems or situations require it.

        2.             If an international exchange student's English proficiency is found to be insufficient to function in the regular instructional program without special professional assistance, the exchange organization and the host family must provide a tutor or make other educational arrangements for the student at their expense.

        3.             The exchange organization and the host family must assume the final responsibility for resolving problems including, if necessary, the early return home of the international exchange student because of personal, family or school difficulties which cannot be resolved.

Suspension, Revocation or Dismissal

Exchange organizations, host families, and/or international exchange students found to be in violation of any of the Calcasieu Parish School Board Policies and Regulations are subject to having their relationship with the District terminated.  Any change in the immigration status of an exchange student will be reported to the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization service.

NEW POLICY                                                                                                               FILE: EBCB

VIDEO MONITORING OF SCHOOL BOARD PROPERTY

The Calcasieu Parish School Board shall authorize the use of Board owned and/or installed video and cameras on any School Board property, buildings, or facilities and/or vehicles in an effort to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of all staff, students, and visitors to the school, and to safeguard Board facilities and equipment.

The School Board shall notify employees, students, and/or visitors through appropriate methods that video monitoring/surveillance may occur on School Board property, in buildings and facilities, as well as campuses, parking lots, and school grounds belonging to, leased, or used by the School Board, or on any vehicle owned, leased, or used to transport students or for conduction of School Board business, or at any school sponsored event, activity, or function. 

Notification shall also include the erection of clearly marked, written signs, prominently displayed near the main entrance of school buildings, Board property and facilities.

INSTALLATION AND OPERATION OF EQUIPMENT

Video and cameras may be installed in identified public areas where monitoring/surveillance is deemed necessary as determined by the Superintendent or his/her designee, but placement shall not be allowed where students, employees, or the public has a reasonable expectation of privacy, such as inside locker rooms and adult and student restrooms.

Monitor/surveillance equipment installed in outdoor areas shall monitor only those areas designated and shall not be directed to look through windows of adjacent buildings or onto adjacent property, whenever possible.  Video monitors (reception equipment) shall be located in strictly controlled access areas.  Only authorized and designated personnel shall have access to the reception equipment and area and monitors shall not be located as to permit public viewing. 

The use of video and monitoring/surveillance equipment on school grounds shall be supervised and controlled by the building administrator and/or his/her designee, in conjunction with the Superintendent and/or his/her designee.  Video recordings made at the schools or other facilities shall be maintained by the building administrator.  Video monitoring/surveillance equipment shall be operated on a twenty-four (24) hour, seven (7) day a week basis. 

Staff personnel permitted access to the video and monitoring/surveillance system and equipment shall be required to follow all operational regulations and procedures developed in accordance with this policy.  Staff and students shall be prohibited from unauthorized use, tampering with, or otherwise interfering with the placement or operations of the video and monitoring/surveillance equipment and system and shall be subject to appropriate disciplinary action including termination or expulsion.

The School Board shall provide reasonable safeguards, including but not limited to, password protection, network security, and control of physical access to protect the monitor/surveillance systems from vandals and unauthorized users.  Proper training shall be provided for authorized users.

VIDEO RECORDINGS

Recordings made through the Board’s video monitoring/surveillance system shall be confidential.  The video recordings may only be viewed by the Superintendent and/or his/her designees.   In the event a video recording reveals activity the Superintendent believes violates Board policies or state or federal law, the Superintendent may turn over such video recordings to applicable law enforcement authorities.  If an individual or individuals on such video recording are students or staff of the district, they shall be subject to appropriate disciplinary action.

Video recordings shall be retained by the School Board for no more than ninety (90) days, provided that the recordings may be kept for a longer period if the recordings reveal activity the Superintendent believes violates Board policies or state or federal law. Video recordings not retained for more than ninety (90) days shall have their images erased or taped over.  The Superintendent or his/her designee shall take additional steps as deemed appropriate to prevent unauthorized persons from accessing the recordings. 

Video recordings (tapes or other storage devices) shall be stored in a secure, locked location in a controlled access area at the school or facility where maintained that will also protect the recordings from damage by fire or water.  Each storage device shall be dated and labeled, whenever possible.  Access to storage devices shall be limited to authorized, designated personnel only.  A log shall be maintained that provides details of all access to, and use (viewing) of any recorded material.

Video recordings may become a part of a student’s educational record or employee’s personnel file.  The School Board shall comply with all applicable state and federal laws and Board policies related to the recording’s maintenance and retention.

Video recordings may be copied, distributed to, and viewed by public safety agencies, School Board safety and security personnel, the parish District Attorney, and/or appropriate law enforcement personnel, when approved by the Superintendent or his/her designee, or when subpoenaed for any court proceedings.  Video recordings shall not be viewed by, copied, or released to any other person or agencies not referenced above except when specifically authorized by the Superintendent.

ACCESS TO PERSONAL INFORMATION

Generally, video and recordings made through the Board’s video monitoring/surveillance system shall not be considered public record.  Access however, to personal information contained in any recordings may be granted in whole or in part to an individual upon submission of a properly executed subpoena.

New policy:  June, 2008

Ref:  La. Rev. Stat. Ann. '17:81.

On behalf of the committee, Mrs. Duhon made a motion to accept the policy changes. A second was not needed and on a vote, the motion carried.

There being no further business to discuss, a motion was made by Mr. Dellafosse, seconded by Mr. Pitre and approved, to adjourn the meeting at 5:20 p.m.

TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION

A. Request for Travel, Sam Houston High School Pride and Spirit Band/Dallas,                     TX/ April 23-25, 2010

On a motion to approve by Mr. LaRocque and a second by Mr. Burleigh, the motion carried.

B. Approval of Proposed Board Meeting and Committee Dates for 2010

On a motion to approve by Mr. Dellafosse and a second by Mr. Bernard, the motion carried.

C. Request for Travel, Barbe High School Band of Blue/San Antonio, TX/

April 28-May 2, 2010

On a motion to approve by Mr. Dellafosse and a second by Mr. Bernard, the motion carried.

BID REPORTS

A.  E.K. Key Elementary School/Roofing Replacement/District 30 Bond Funds

On a motion to approve by Mr. Guidry and a second by Mrs. Duhon, the motion carried.

B.  USDA Commodity Beef Processing by Diversion/2010-2011 School Year   

On a motion to approve by Mr. Guidry and a second by Mrs. Duhon, the motion carried.

     C. USDA Commodity Chicken Processing by Diversion/2010-2011 School Year

On a motion to approve by Mr. Guidry and a second by Mrs. Duhon, the motion    carried.

      D. USDA Commodity Raw Eggs Processing by Diversion/2010-2011 School Year

On a motion to approve by Mr. Guidry and a second by Mrs. Duhon, the motion carried.

      E. USDA Commodity Pork Processing by Diversion/2010-2011 School Year

On a motion to approve by Mr. Guidry and a second by Mrs. Duhon, the motion carried.

      F. USDA Commodity Turkey Processing by Diversion/2010-2011 School Year

On a motion to approve by Mr. Guidry and a second by Mrs. Duhon, the motion carried.

      G. USDA Commodity Cheese Processing by Diversion/2010-2011 School Year

On a motion to approve by Mr. Guidry and a second by Mrs. Duhon, the motion carried.

      H. USDA Commodity Peanut Butter Processing by Diversion/ 2010-2011School Year

On a motion to approve by Mr. Guidry and a second by Mrs. Duhon, the motion carried.

      I. USDA Commodity Fish Processing by Diversion/2010-2011 School Year

On a motion to approve by Mr. Guidry and a second by Mrs. Duhon, the motion carried.

      Items B-I can be viewed at 3310 Broad Street, as a part of the Legal Minutes on file.                  

PERMISSION TO ADVERTISE

A. On-line Proposals for E-Rate Related Services

On a motion to approve by Mrs. Duhon and a second by Mr. Victorian, the motion carried.

B. Microsoft Forefront Security, Forefront TMG Web Protection/ General                              Funds/CPSB Technology Department  

On a motion to approve by Mrs. Duhon and a second by Mr. Victorian, the motion carried.

C. Phase VII Classroom Pods/QSCB Funds

On a motion to approve by Mrs. Duhon and a second by Mr. Victorian, the motion carried.

D. Two Story Classroom Building/Maplewood Middle

       School/District 23 Bond Funds

On a motion to approve by Mr. Burleigh and a second by Mr. Guidry, the motion    carried.

 E. Track Resurfacing at Sulphur High School/District

      30 Bond Funds

On a motion to approve by Mr. Guidry and a second by Mr. Burleigh, the motion

carried.

CORRESPONDENCE

  A. Change Order  Number One (1) for the Project, “New Multipurpose Building

and Classroom Pod, Maplewood Middle School,” District 23 Bond Funds;

Bid #2010-07 PC; Ellender Architects & Associates, LLC, Designer; Pat

Williams Construction, Inc., Contractor; Increase of $24,315.99.

On a motion to approve by Mr. Guidry and a second by Mr. Burleigh, the motion     carried.

B. Change Order Number Three (3) for the Project, “ Phase I Alonzo LeBlanc                        Middle School and Drost School for Exceptional Children, Additions and

Renovations,” Bid #2009-01PC; District 30 Bond Funds; Ellender Architects

& Associates, LLC, Designer; Pat Williams Construction, Inc., Contractor;

Increase of $11,882.71.

On a motion to approve by Mr. Guidry and a second by Mr. Burleigh, the motion carried.

C.  Recommendation of Acceptance for the Project, “Phase I Alonzo LeBlanc

 Middle School and Drost School for Exceptional Children, Additions and

 Renovations,” Bid #2009-01PC; District 30 Bond Funds.

On a motion to approve by Mr. Guidry and a second by Mr. Burleigh, the motion carried.

 D.  Change Order Number Four (4) for the Project, “New Administration,

 Classrooms and Library Facility at S.P. Arnett Middle School,” District

 23 Bond Funds; King Architects, Inc., Designer; Pat Williams Construction,

 Contractor; Increase of $35,715.93 and Increase of Fifty Six (56) days.

 On a motion to approve by Mr. Burleigh and a second by Mr. Victorian, the motion 

 carried.

 E.   Change Order Number Three (3) for the Project, “DeQuincy Upper

 Elementary,” District 21 Bond Funds; Bid #2009-03PC; C.R. Fugatt, AIA,

 Designer; Pat Williams Construction, Contractor; Increase of $18,275.87.

On a motion to approve by Mr. Karr and a second by Mr. Burleigh, the motion

carried.

 F.  Change Order Number Two (2) for the Project, “New Band/Choral Building

 And Bus Canopy/Drives, Maplewood Middle School,” District 23 Bond

 Funds; Bid #2009-12PC; Ellender Architects & Associates, LLC, Designer;

 James Fontenot Construction, Inc., Contractor; Increase of $20,275.00.

On a motion to approve by Mr. Karr and a second by Mr. Burleigh, the motion  carried.

 G.  Beneficial Occupancy for the Project, “S.J. Welsh Middle

 School Roof Replacement.”

On a motion to approve by Mr. Bernard and a second by Mr. Pitre, the motion

carried.

 H.  Recommendation of Acceptance for the Project, “ S.J.

 Welsh Middle School Roof Replacement.”

On a motion to approve by Mr. Bernard and a second by Mr. Pitre, the motion

carried.

 I.   Change Order Number One (1) for the Project, “Cypress

Cove Elementary School,”  District 30 Bond Funds; Ellender                                                        Architects & Associates, LLC, Designer; Bessette Development                                                   Corporation, Contractor; Increase of $34,279.00 and Increase of                                                  Fifty (50) days.

On a motion to approve by Mr. Bernard and a second by Mr. Pitre, the motion

carried.

J.  Change Order Number One (1) for the Project, “Additions

 And Renovations to Western Heights Elementary School,”

 District #23 Bond Funds; King Architects, Inc., Designer;

 John Myers & Associates, Contractor; Increase of $3,565.00

 and Increase of nine (9) days.

On a motion to approve by Mr. Bernard and a second by Mr. Pitre, the motion

carried.

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT

Mr. Savoy reported on the following:

l. Pat Deaville, Director of High School Curriculum, has been selected Outstanding Contributor to School Bands in Louisiana.

2. The W.B. Williamson American Legion Auxiliary Unit 1, Post 1, sent a letter congratulating LaGrange High School Junior Naval ROTC Cadets for the great job they did collecting for the Annual Poppy Day Drive.

3. Melissa Bushnell, Assistant Principal at Dolby Elementary School, was selected as the 2010 LAP/NAESP Elementary Assistant Principal of the Year.

4. Jeanne Eugenia Thobodeaux of Sulphur High School, has been designated as a Semifinalist in this year’s Coca-Cola Scholars Program.

CONDOLENCES AND RECOGNITIONS

Mr. Hardy asked for letters of condolence to the following:

Mary Jourdan Victorian

Richard and Theresa Lee

Johnny and Evelyn Thomas

Barbara Floyd

Joyce Pitrie

Mr. Webb asked for letters of condolence to the following:

David Buller

Mary Wilkinson

Marla Kay Dering

Connie Abbott

Mr. Victorian asked for a letter of condolence to Joyce Pitre.

Mr. Pitre asked for a letter of condolence to Pinelle Spain.

Mr. LaRocque asked for a letter of condolence to Connie Thrasher.

Mrs. Duhon asked that a letter be sent to Superintendent Pastorek to invite him to visit our schools in Calcasieu Parish.

Mr. Dellafosse asked that letters of appreciation be sent to Coach John Jenkins, Jr. and Coach Paul Bourgeois.

Mr. Andrepont asked that a letter of condolence be sent to Kim Grimble Trahan.

Mr. Bernard made a motion to rename the Science Wing Building at Lake Charles Boston Academy in memory of Dr. DeBakey. Mr. Andrepont suggested that this be placed on a future agenda.

COMMITTEE ITEMS

Mr. Hardy asked for a report on absences by school, by  teacher, or a total count by schools.

Mr. Bernard would like to have information on renaming the Science Building at Lake Charles Boston Academy after Dr. Michael DeBakey.

Mr. Dellafosse asked that the Board see the Performance Contracts on the Principals of the 11 low performing schools. He asked that bi-monthly salary payments, rather than monthly, be discussed.

Mr. Victorian asked for a report showing what districts students are coming from that are attending out of zone.

Mrs. Ballard asked that Pre-K be on the next C&I meeting.

Mrs. Duhon asked to see the five year School Performance Scores and test scores for all schools.

SCHEDULE COMMITTEES

Budget Committee, January 19, 2010…..….4:45 p.m.

On a motion to adjourn by Mr. Webb and second by Mrs. Duhon, the meeting adjourned at 5:53 p.m.

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____________________________                  ___________________________

Joe Andrepont, President                                       Wayne Savoy, Secretary