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J - Students Note: This manual is currently not being updated online. We are in the process of updating the online manual and will post the updates soon.
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EQUAL EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES It shall be the policy of the School Board that the school district shall place an equal emphasis upon the nondiscriminatory provision of educational opportunities for children and no person shall be denied the benefits of any education program or activity on the basis of race, color, handicap, religion, creed, national origin, age, or sex. All programs offered by schools within the school district shall be open to all students in compliance with statutory and judicial requirements. The Superintendent shall designate a member of
the staff to investigate any and all complaints which may be brought against the
district in regard to any alleged discriminatory action. Adequate procedures
shall be developed and maintained to provide for prompt and equitable resolution
of student complaints. Ref: 42 U.S.C. §§2000d (1-6); 42 U.S.C.
§§2000c (1-9); 20 U.S.C. §1681 et seq.; 20 U.S.C. §1401 et seq.; 42 U.S.C.
§1983; 29 U.S.C. §794; 29 U.S.C. §§621 et seq.; Singleton v. Jackson
Municipal Separate School District, 419 F.2d 1211 (5th Cir. 1969); Ross v.
Moffitt, 94 S.Ct. 437 (1974); San Antonio Independent School District v.
Rodriguez, 93 S.Ct. 1278 (1973); Regents of University of California v. Bakke,
98 S.Ct. (1978). FILE: JB ATTENDANCE The Calcasieu Parish School Board believes regular attendance in the school accompanied by the responsibility to study and participate in school activities is essential to the learning process. Once a pupil arrives at school, he is expected to remain and attend each class throughout the day. Elementary and secondary students shall be present the minimum number of days as required by the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education and enumerated in the Louisiana Handbook for School Administrators, Bulletin 741, to receive credit for courses taken. Currently, high school students shall be in attendance a minimum of eighty (80) days per semester, and elementary students must be in attendance a minimum of one hundred sixty (160) days per school year in order to receive credit for courses taken. Exception can be made only in the event of extended personal illness verified by a physician/medical record or if other extenuating circumstances exist and are approved by the Supervisor of Child Welfare in consultation with the school principal. Exception may also be made for schools operating on other than the traditional 182 day school calendar. All students shall be under the jurisdiction of the school during normal school hours, from the time the student arrives at school each day until he leaves the school campus in the afternoon. In case a student rides a bus, he shall be under the jurisdiction of the school from the time he boards the bus until the student exits the bus in the afternoon. Students shall be under the jurisdiction of the school while attending any school sponsored activity either at school or away from school. This shall apply to all students, including athletic teams, pep clubs, band and other student organizations. In disciplinary matters, the Board's authority may extend beyond the limits set forth above, in accordance with state law. SPECIAL EDUCATION AND COMPULSORY ATTENDANCE If a student is assigned to special education classes or school, he/she is subject to the Compulsory Attendance Law (A.G. Opinion # 83-459). HOMEBOUND INSTRUCTION A student enrolled in regular education who, as a result of a physical illness, accident, or the treatment thereof, is temporarily unable to attend school shall be provided instructional services in the home or hospital environment through special education, according to State regulations. A student placed in a hospital/homebound instructional program shall be considered present from the date of placement until the date of termination from the program. EXCEPTIONAL STUDENTS' ATTENDANCE School systems shall provide education and related services to exceptional students in accordance with an Individualized Education Program (IEP) for no less than the normal one-hundred-eighty (180) day school cycle. Revised: March, 1999 Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§17:221, 17:226, 17:227; Louisiana Handbook for School Administrators, Bulletin 741, State Department of Education; Pupil Appraisal Handbook, Bulletin 1508, State Department of Education.
FILE: JBA COMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE AGES Except as provided by law, every child in the state is required by state law to attend public or private school from the child's seventh (7th) birthday until his/her eighteenth (18th) birthday, unless the child graduates prior to his/her eighteenth (18th) birthday. Any child below the age of seven (7) who legally enrolls in school shall also be required to attend school. If a child in these age brackets was a resident of this parish when school opened and enters school late without having attended another public or private school or approved home study program during the current school session within or without the parish, a statement should be secured from the parents or guardian giving the reasons why the child has not been in school. If these reasons are not satisfactory, the matter should be referred to the Supervisor of Child Welfare and Attendance, who may find it necessary to refer it to the proper court. The only exceptions to the compulsory school attendance provisions of state law are as follows: 1. Children mentally, physically, or emotionally incapacitated to perform school duties, and children unable to profit from further school experience, such exceptions to be certified in writing by a psychiatrist, psychologist, recognized evaluation centers or clinics, or other professionally qualified person or agency designated by the Board. 2. Children living outside the boundaries of a city, town or municipality, more than 22 miles from a school or suitable grade where adequate free transportation is not furnished by the Board and children living more than 12 miles from a transfer route providing transportation furnished by the School Board to a school of suitable grade; and, 3. Children temporarily excused from school, as follows: a. Children who are ill and whose attendance in school would endanger their own health or that of their classmates, and who have a certificate of a physician licensed to practice in Louisiana verifying said illness; b. Children in whose families there is serious illness which would reasonably necessitate the absence from school, if in the judgment of the Supervisor of Child Welfare and Attendance, such absence is justified, or if the illness is substantiated in writing by a licensed Louisiana physician; c. Children in whose immediate family a death has occurred, such absence is not to exceed one week because of and at the time of such death; and d. Children whose religious faith requires absence for the observance of a special and recognized holyday of the child's own faith. A child between the ages of seventeen (17) and eighteen (18) may withdraw from school prior to graduation with the written consent of his/her parent or guardian. Such consent must be submitted to the Supervisor of Child Welfare and Attendance. The parent, tutor, or other person responsible for the school attendance of a child between the ages of sixteen (16) and eighteen (18) who is enrolled in school may request that the student be allowed to attend an alternative education program or a vocational-technical education program. Compulsory attendance does not apply to any child who is under the age of seventeen (17) and is attending or seeking admission to a National Guard Youth Challenge Program in Louisiana. The principal may require certificates from practicing physicians or dentists substantiating all illness. The principal may also require written evidence from church authorities relative to requiring religious observances. Children granted excused absences for the above reasons shall be allowed to make up any school work which was missed or failed to be completed during the prescribed time. In such instances, the student's grade will not be given until the makeup work has been completed.
Revised: August, 2001 Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. ''17:221, 17:226; Bulletin 741, Louisiana Handbook for School Administrators, Louisiana Department of Education; Board minutes, 6-18-02, 9-17-02.
FILE: JBB ENTRANCE AGE The School Board shall require children entering kindergarten at the beginning of the school session for the first time to be at least five (5) years of age on or before September 30 of the calendar year in which the school year begins. For students entering first grade for the first time at the beginning of the school session, they shall be six (6) years on or before September 30 of the calendar year in which the school year begins. The only exception to the above requirement shall be those students who resided out of the parish and transferred to this system from an approved public or private school. Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §17:222; Board
minutes, 10-15-85. FILE: JBC SCHOOL ADMISSION The Calcasieu Parish School Board shall admit students to the schools of the school district under such rules and regulations as the Board may prescribe. No student may be excluded from the appropriate school within the school district except by due process or failure to meet specifications of Board policies. The Board fully recognizes that providing equality of educational opportunities for all children requires objectivity. The Board is equally concerned that all admission policies adhere strictly to applicable legal requirements. No child shall be admitted to school for the first time until her or his parents do the following: Obtain a Permit to Register form from the Office of Child Welfare and Attendance. 1. Present to school officials an official birth certificate. A short form birth certification card shall be acceptable. Only records from the registrar of vital statistics will be accepted. Children born in Louisiana will be given a fifteen (15) day grace period to secure a copy of their birth record. Children born out of this state will be given thirty (30) days grace in which to produce a copy of their birth record. It shall be left to the discretion of the Superintendent or designee, subject to the authority of the Board, as to whether or not a child shall continue in school upon failure to comply herewith. 2. Present to school officials evidence of being or having been immunized against diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, poliomyelitis and measles and other vaccine-preventable diseases according to a schedule approved by the Office of Public Health, Department of Health and Hospitals. 3. Present to school officials all official school records of school previously attended or information needed to access such records when transferring from another school to one inside the school district. 4. Present to school officials, as a prerequisite to enrolling in the first grade, evidence of having attended at least a full-day public or private kindergarten for a full school year; or of satisfactorily having passed academic readiness screening administered by the school system prior to the time of enrollment in first grade. 5. Present to school officials evidence of being bona fide residents of the Parish, with limited exception. However, children temporarily residing within the jurisdiction of the Board who have no permanent address, who have been abandoned by their parents, or who are in foster care, shall be admitted to school, except as may be allowed by statute. 6. Present to school officials satisfactory evidence that at least one of the child's parents or guardians has completed a parent orientation course conducted by a parish or city school board. However, no child shall be denied entry into school because a parent or guardian has not attended an orientation session.
ADMISSION OF EXPELLED STUDENTS No student who has been expelled in accordance with state law from any school in the state shall be admitted to any school in the school system except upon the review and approval of the Board. No student who has been expelled from any school outside the state of Louisiana or any nonpublic school within Louisiana for committing any of the offenses enumerated in state law shall be admitted to any school in the school system except upon the review and approval of the Board. ADMISSION FROM UNAPPROVED SCHOOLS AND HOME STUDY Students requesting admission from an unapproved school or home study program shall meet all admission requirements specified by state and local statutes and policies. ADMISSION OF HOMELESS STUDENTS Except as provided above with regard to students who have been expelled, no provision in this or any other Calcasieu Parish School Board policy shall be interpreted to impede the immediate or continued enrollment of homeless youth, as addressed in policy JBCBB, Homeless Students.
Revised: November, 1993 Ref: 42 U.S.C. 11431; La. Rev. Stat. Ann. ''17:151.3, 17:167, 17:221, 17:221.2, 17:222, 17:235.1, 17:238, 17:416; Singleton v. Jackson Municipal Separate School District, 419 F. 2d 1211 (5th Cir., 1970); Louisiana Handbook for School Administrators, Bulletin 741, Louisiana Department of Education; Board minutes, 6-3-03.
FILE: JBCB ADMISSION OF NON-RESIDENT STUDENTS The School Board may, by mutual agreement, provide for the admission to any school of pupil(s) residing in an adjoining city, parish, or other local School Board district, and for transfer of funds or other payments by one Board to another on account of such attendance. STUDENTS RESIDING NOT MORE THAN ONE MILE FROM SCHOOL If not specifically contrary to the provisions of a valid and applicable court order, the School Board shall admit and assign a student to attend any public school requested by a parent or other person responsible for the student's school attendance when the requested school has space available, suitable grade levels, and the child resides not more than one mile from such school. The one-mile distance shall be measured by the distance to be traveled on public streets or highways, or by the boundary of a subdivision. Such assignment shall apply regardless of parish boundaries. The School Board, however, shall have final authority and responsibility for the assignment, transfer, and continued attendance of students in schools within the Board's jurisdiction. STUDENT RIDING SCHOOL BUS FOR MORE THAN ONE HOUR If not specifically contrary to the provisions of a valid and applicable court order, a student riding a school bus for one hour or more to the school assigned may transfer to, enroll in, and attend a public school in an adjoining school system upon written application to the Superintendent of the adjoining school system for his/her approval. Approval must be granted before the student is allowed to enroll in the school system. Documentation of the time required to transport the student shall be presented to the Superintendent of the school system in which the student is currently enrolled as well as the Superintendent of the adjoining school system. The Superintendent of the school system in which the student is currently enrolled may dispute the accuracy of the documentation by requesting, in writing, within ten (10) days of receipt of the documentation, a hearing on the question of the time required to transport the student before the School Board of the adjoining school system. A hearing shall be held within thirty (30) days of receipt of the written request. The finding of the School Board of the adjoining school system shall be final. For the transfer to occur, the adjoining school system shall provide transportation for the student. The time required to transport the student from his/her home to the school assigned shall be less than one (1) hour. NON-RESIDENT ATTENDANCE PROVISIONS
Out-of-parish student attendance shall comply with the following provisions: HOMELESS STUDENTS The Calcasieu Parish School Board shall provide a free appropriate public education, including preschool education, to any homeless child or youth within the jurisdiction of the School Board. For the purpose of this policy, the term homeless includes an individual who lacks a fixed, regular or adequate residence; or has a primary nighttime residence in a shelter, an institution providing temporary residence for individuals intended to be institutionalized, or a public or private place not designated for, or ordinarily used as, a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings; or is sharing the housing of other persons. The term does not include any individual imprisoned or adjudicated. Homeless students requesting enrollment will be placed in school immediately, even if required registration documents are unavailable. School documents needed should be requested after the student has been enrolled. There will be no barriers to homeless children and youth entering school. In addition to the above, the Calcasieu Parish School Board shall:
Ref: 42 U.S.C. 11431, Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act; Plyler v. Doe 457 U.S. 202 (1982); La. Rev. Stat. Ann. ''17:81, 17:151.3, 17:221, 17:221.2, 17:222, 17:235.1, 17:238, 17:416; Louisiana Handbook for School Administrators, Bulletin 741, Louisiana Department of Education; Board minutes, 6-3-03.
FILE: JBCC STUDENT ASSIGNMENTS ATTENDANCE ZONE REQUIREMENTS The School Board shall have authority and responsibility for the assignment, placement, transfer, and continued education of all students attending schools within its jurisdiction. The School Board shall require a student to attend the appropriate school as determined by the residence (domicile) of the student or the parent, legal guardian, or provisional custodian, or if he/she is eighteen years old or has been emancipated by a court order, by the student's own domicile. However, the Board reserves the authority and responsibility to assign and/or transfer a student to any of the public schools within its jurisdiction, if circumstances warrant. The parent or legal guardian of a pupil may file in writing to the Board an objection to the assignment of the pupil, in which case the Board shall review the assignment and investigate the circumstances in order to render a decision. The School Board, by statute, shall be required to assign a student to attend any public school requested by a parent or other legally responsible person when the requested school has space available and is of suitable grade level, and the child resides not more than one (1) mile from such school. Such assignment shall be made if not specifically contrary to the provisions of law, rule, regulation, or an order of a court of competent jurisdiction. Assignment shall also be made without regard to parish boundaries. Legal custody is defined as the legal status created by a court order which establishes in a custodian the right to have physical custody of the child or minor. Legal custody shall also include cases where provisional custody of a minor student has been granted to a person of legal age by the child's parents, or the natural tutor, in the event of separation or divorce. Provisional custody shall be verified by submitting a properly executed and notarized form attesting to the granting of provisional custody. The school principal or designee shall be responsible for monitoring the school enrollment list and shall immediately terminate and/or transfer an unauthorized student. VERIFICATION OF RESIDENCE The School Board shall require verification of residence of those students whose residence is suspected to be outside the attendance zone of the school the student is attending. When investigating the residence of a student, the School Board shall attempt to verify the primary place of residence of the legal parent or legal or provisional guardian. Such verification of residence shall be based on such items as the following:
SPECIAL EDUCATION ASSIGNMENTS The Board shall require that special education students be assigned to programs within their attendance zones, if possible. However, if an appropriate program is unavailable within a student's attendance zone, the student may be placed in a school specifically designed to provide the appropriate learning style of the student. CLASS ASSIGNMENT Generally, student assignments in K through 8 will be made by the principal of the school. However, in some cases schools may be structured so that students in higher grades may select classes and courses of study. The placement of a student shall be based on grades, achievement test scores, and participation in special programs. Selection of classes and courses of study in grades 9 through 12 shall be uniformly made by individual students. Assistance in planning course of study and selection of classes shall be provided by teachers, counselors, and administrators. Each student shall be furnished a schedule of classes offered and requirements for graduation. Some classes may have prerequisites for enrollment. OUT-OF-ZONE TRANSFER REQUESTS No school shall accept a student who does not reside in that school's attendance zone unless the student has an approved out-of-zone transfer request on file or is a special education assignment to that school. Out-of-zone requests shall be approved on a space available basis for only one year with the exception of magnet school requests. Any student suspended three (3) or more times during any school session shall not be considered for an out-of-zone transfer unless the request is approved by the appropriate assistant superintendent. Magnet School Program Requests Any Calcasieu Parish student may request permission to attend a magnet school program. The deadline for magnet school requests shall be announced yearly by the Calcasieu Parish School Board. Applications for each magnet school program will be approved on a first-come, first-served basis. A magnet school request shall be approved for as long as the student continues to meet the attendance and academic requirements of the program. A student who elects to attend a magnet school program shall provide his own transportation. Majority-to-Minority Transfer Requests Any student whose race is in a majority at a school may request a transfer to school where his/her race is a minority. Majority-to-minority transfers will be honored at schools dependent on available classroom space and staffing. Under no circumstances will majority-to-minority transfers be continued once the former minority racial composition of the school equals fifty percent (50%) of the enrollment. The deadline for applications for majority-minority transfer requests will be established yearly by the Calcasieu Parish School Board. A student for whom a majority-to-minority request has been approved must remain at the school for the duration of the school year for which the request has been approved. Transportation will be furnished by the Calcasieu Parish School Board for each student who qualifies for a majority-to-minority transfer if the student enrolls in the school nearest to his/her home in which his/her race is in the minority. Otherwise transportation shall be the responsibility of the parent or legal guardian. Elementary Child Care Hardship A parent or guardian of a child enrolled in elementary grades may request permission for the child to attend school out of zone due to child care needs. (An example of a child care hardship case would include the case of a single working parent with limited income who is dependent on a relative for assistance in caring for a child while the parent works.) Requests based on child care needs may be made as the need arises and will be approved based on the merits of the individual case. Transportation to an out-of-zone school for child care purposes shall be the responsibility of the parent or legal guardian. Requests Due to Changes in Residence A student whose parents or legal guardian move to another school zone during the course of a semester may request permission to remain at the initial school until the end of the semester. If the student is a graduating senior, he/she may request permission to remain at the initial school until the end of the school term. However, no out-of-zone permit shall be issued to a student whose legal domicile changed prior to the beginning of a school term. Transportation for students requesting to remain at their initial school after a change in residence shall be the responsibility of the parent or legal guardian. Revised: September, 1992 FILE: JBCD TRANSFER BETWEEN SCHOOLS AND
WITHDRAWALS No parish school shall accept a student from another parish school who has not properly withdrawn from the previous school and has a completed transfer form at the time of the transfer. In addition, no transfer student shall be accepted at a parish school without a Permit to Register Form issued by the Office of Child Welfare and Attendance. Students withdrawing from a school shall return all school-owned property in good condition and pay all outstanding fees and debts before receiving a withdrawal form. Upon completion of the withdrawal process, the student shall be given a copy of the completed withdrawal form, a copy of his/her health record, a copy of withdrawal grades and attendance for the portion of the six weeks completed and a copy of his/her report card to take to the receiving school. If a special education student is transferring from one Calcasieu school to another, the initial school shall immediately notify the Department of Special Education of the transfer. Special education records shall be transferred immediately upon request by the receiving school. Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§17:81, 17:221,
17:226, 17:227. FILE: JBD ABSENCES AND EXCUSES The Board recognizes that the fundamental right to attend the public schools places upon students the accompanying responsibility to be faithful in attendance. Regular attendance can be assumed to be essential for a student's successful progress in the instructional program. For a student to be eligible to receive credit and make up work during an absence, the student shall be required in each instance to submit parental confirmation of the reasons for the absence. Students not excused shall be given failing grades in those subjects for those days missed, provided a graded activity was conducted during the unexcused absence, and shall not be given an opportunity to make up the work missed. No public elementary or secondary school pupil shall be permitted for any reason to absent himself from school attendance during the school day upon his own authority. The principal or designee shall make all reasonable efforts to verbally notify the parent or other person responsible for the pupil's school attendance of any such prohibited absence by a pupil. When a child has been absent from school for
five (5) school days in schools operating on a semester basis and for ten (10)
school days in schools not operating on a semester basis the school shall
attempt to provide verbal notification and, if such verbal notification cannot
be provided, then shall provide written notification to a child's parent, tutor,
or legal guardian. Excused absences can only be granted in the event of extenuating circumstances as outlined below. School personnel may require medical documentation from physicians and dentists to substantiate all illnesses. Written evidence from church authorities relative to requiring religious observances may also be required. The only exception to the attendance regulation shall be the delineated extenuating circumstances that are verified by the Supervisor of Child Welfare and Attendance, which are as follows:
Students who are verified as meeting extenuating circumstances and therefore eligible to receive grades shall not receive those grades if they are unable to complete makeup work or pass the course. A student who is absent five (5) or more days in any six-weeks period shall receive an incomplete grade in all subjects involved if the grade is not made up before the end of the grading period. The student can make up the work during the next six-weeks period. If he fails to do so, the incomplete grade automatically becomes a "U". It shall be the responsibility of the teacher to inform the student of the deadline for any makeup work. ABSENCES DUE TO SCHOOL APPROVED ACTIVITIES Students participating in school approved activities which necessitate their being away from school shall be considered to be present and shall be given the opportunity to make up work. TYPES OF ABSENCES The days absent for elementary and secondary school students shall include temporarily excused absences, unexcused absences, and suspensions.
RECORDING ATTENDANCE All schools shall keep daily records of attendance, verified by the teacher keeping such records which shall be open to inspection by the visiting teacher or Supervisor of Child Welfare and Attendance. Each school shall attempt to provide verbal notification, and if such verbal notification cannot be provided, then shall provide written notification to a child's parent, tutor, or legal guardian when that child had been excessively absent from school for five (5) school days in schools operating on a semester basis, and for ten (10) days in schools not operating on a semester basis. (NOTE: For attendance purposes only, high schools shall operate on a semester basis.)
PARENTAL NOTIFICATION FOR EXCESSIVE ABSENCES
TARDINESS The following steps shall be taken for excessive tardiness:
REPORTING OF UNEXCUSED ABSENCES The following procedures shall constitute the reporting of unexcused absences:
LEAVING SCHOOL The following procedures shall be followed for any student wishing to leave school during the school day:
Revised: December, 1995 Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§17:221, 17:226,
17:227, 17:232; Louisiana Handbook for School Administrators, Bulletin 741,
State Department of Education. TRUANCY The 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, or after school while waiting for their bus. 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 from school. A student shall be considered habitually absent or habitually tardy when either condition continues to exist after all reasonable efforts by the principal and teacher have failed to correct the condition. 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 habitually absent from school or habitually tardy shall be reported by the Visiting Teacher and/or Supervisor of Child Welfare and Attendance to the appropriate court of the parish or city as a truant child. Revised: December, 1990 Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§17:221, 17:221.1, 17:223, 17:228, 17:233.
DUE PROCESS The School Board mandates that all students shall be treated fairly and honestly in resolving grievances, complaints, or in the consideration of any suspension or expulsion. Due process shall be defined as fair and reasonable approaches to all areas of student grievance and discipline on the part of all school officials in order not to arbitrarily deny a student the benefits of the instructional process. Basically, due process requires the school administration to impose fundamentally fair procedures to determine whether misconduct or other improper action has occurred before any disciplinary action may be taken by the school administration, except in the case of imminent danger or disruption of the academic process. In these instances, proper procedures shall be put into effect as soon as removal of the student has occurred. Under due process, each student shall be guaranteed a fair hearing, a fair judgment, a written record of the decision, and notice of the right to appeal the decision. The degree of procedural due process afforded in any disciplinary situation shall be dependant upon two factors: (1) the gravity of the offense a student is alleged to have committed; and (2) the severity of the contemplated penalty. For example, a much greater degree of procedural due process shall be applicable in an expulsion situation than in one where the penalty is a short-term suspension. The full protection of procedural due process shall be afforded any student facing possible long-term suspension or expulsion. Ref: U.S. Const. amend. XIII; U.S. Const.
amend. XIV, §1; Ingraham v. Wright, 97 S.Ct. 1401 (1977); Goss v. Lopez, 95
S.Ct. 729 (1975); Carey v. Piphus, 98 S.Ct. 1042 (1978). FILE: JCAB STUDENT SEARCHES The School Board is the exclusive owner of any public school building and any desk or locker utilized by any student contained therein or any other area that may be set aside for the personal use of the students. Any teacher, principal, administrator, or school security guard employed by the School Board, having a reasonable belief that any public school building, desk, locker, area or grounds of any public school contains any weapons, illegal drugs, alcoholic beverages, nitrate based inhalants, stolen goods, or other items the possession of which is prohibited by any law, School Board policy, or school rule, may search such building, desk, locker, area or grounds of said public school. The acceptance and use of locker facilities or the parking of privately owned vehicles on school campuses by students shall constitute consent by the student to the search of such locker facilities or vehicles by authorized school personnel. Any teacher, principal, administrator, or school security guard employed by the School Board, may search the person of a student or his personal effects when based on the attendant circumstances at the time of the search, there are reasonable grounds to suspect that the search will reveal evidence that the student has violated the law, School Board policy, or a school rule. Such a search shall be conducted in a manner that is reasonably related to the purpose of the search and the nature of the suspected offense. Such factors to be considered in determining the manner in which searches may be conducted are:
Random searches with a metal detector of a student or his personal effects may be conducted at any time, provided such searches are conducted without deliberate touching of the student. Any search of student's person shall be done privately by a teacher, administrator, or security guard of the same sex as the student to be searched. At least one witness who is of the same sex as said student shall be present throughout the search. Detailed documentation shall be made of all searches. If requested, notification of the search shall be sent to the parents of the student involved. Any automobile parked on School Board property by a student may also be searched at any time by school officials who have articulable facts which lead them reasonably to believe that items in violation of state law, School Board policy or school rule are contained therein. If the automobile is locked, the student shall unlock the vehicle. If the student refuses to unlock the vehicle, proper law enforcement authorities shall be summoned and the student shall be subject to disciplinary action. No actions taken pursuant to this policy by any teacher, principal, administrator, or school security guard employed by the School Board shall be taken maliciously or with willful and deliberate intent to harass, embarrass or intimidate any student. Upon proper school personnel confiscating any firearm, bomb, knife, or other implement which could be used as a weapon, or any controlled dangerous substance, the principal or designee shall report the confiscation to the appropriate law enforcement officials. Any implement or material confiscated shall be retained, catalogued, and secured by the principal so as to prevent the destruction, alteration, or disappearance until such time as the implement or material is given to law enforcement personnel for disposal. Any principal or designee failing to report any prohibited weapon or confiscated material or implement to law enforcement personnel or failing to properly secure any weapon or confiscated material or implement shall be subject to appropriate disciplinary action as may be determined by the Superintendent and/or Board. If any teacher, principal, administrator, or school security guard employed by the School Board should be sued for damages by any student, the parent of such student or by any other person on behalf of such student, based upon a search conducted in compliance with this policy, the School Board shall provide such teacher, principal, administrator, or school security guard with a legal defense thereto, including reasonable attorney's fees, investigative costs and other related expenses. In such suit, the School Board shall indemnify him/her fully against said judgment including principal, interest and costs. If in any suit brought against any teacher, principal, administrator, or school security guard employed by the School Board, as stated above, there is a specific finding that the action of the teacher, principal, administrator, or school security guard was malicious and willfully and deliberately intended to harass, embarrass or intimidate the student, the School Board shall not indemnify such teacher, principal, administrator, or school security guard in the event a judgement for damages shall be rendered against him. Whenever any search is conducted pursuant to this policy, a written record shall be made thereof by at least two (2) adult employees of the Board who conducted the search and shall include names of the persons involved, the circumstances leading to the search and the results of the search. Revised: October, 1994 Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§17:416, 17:416.3;
New Jersey v. T.L.O., 469 U.S. 325, 105 S.Ct. 733. SEARCHES-STUDENT'S PERSON The Board shall authorize teachers, administrators, and school security guards to search the person of a student, either by a random search with a metal detector, or when the teacher, administrator or security guard has reasonable grounds to suspect that the search will reveal evidence that the student has violated the law, a school rule, a school board policy, or possesses a harmful item which may pose a danger to the student or students or to the welfare of the student body. Searches shall be applied consistently and shall be with the knowledge, and under the supervision, of the principal or designee. Any search of student's person shall be done privately by a teacher, administrator, or security guard of the same sex as the student to be searched. At least one witness who is of the same sex as said student shall be present throughout the search. Detailed documentation shall be made of all searches. If requested, notification of the search shall be sent to the parents of the student involved. Random searches shall be conducted at middle and high schools a minimum of twice per school year. The Board shall indemnify and defend in accordance with state law employees who follow this policy and subsequently are involved in litigation as a result of compliance. Revised: December, 1991 Ref: U.S. Const. Amend. IV; U.S. Const. Amend.
XIV, Sec. 1; Moore v. Student Affairs Committee of Troy State University, 284 F.
Supp. 725 (M.D. Ala. 1970); La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §17:416.3; Board minutes,
3-18-97. STUDENT INTERROGATION Police have the responsibility to protect all citizens by enforcing the laws of the community. In this respect, police may visit the school (whether at the invitation of school officials or for reasons of their own) in search of information or in carrying warrants for search and/or arrest. Any law enforcement official entering school premises shall be required to report first to the office of the principal, state his purpose, and produce identification and warrants, if any. A student in school shall not be interrogated by any authority without the knowledge of a school official. It is recommended that parents be notified prior to any search, interrogation, or arrest of a student; and that this notification be documented. Police may search a student or his locker if they have a valid search warrant, or if they have probable cause to believe a student is secreting evidence of an illegal act. Under no circumstances are the rights of students to be abridged. A student questioned by police officers in school shall be entitled to have an adult present in connection with any investigation. If an officer has probable cause for arrest, the student shall be informed of his legal rights. In situations other than routine questioning, the student may request an attorney's advice and/or presence. A student may be released to the custody of persons other than the parent or legal guardian if placed under arrest by legal authority. If the student is removed from the school by legal authority, parents shall be notified of such action by school officials as soon as possible. In the absence of a warrant or probable cause
for suspension, police authorities shall have no right to question students in
the school building or to use the school facilities in connection with official
police work; nor do school officials have any obligation to make students
available to the police. STUDENT SMOKING 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 does not exempt a student from this policy. Violations shall subject the student to appropriate disciplinary action. Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §17:416. FILE: JCDAC STUDENT ALCOHOL AND DRUG USE The Calcasieu Parish School Board is dedicated to providing an age-appropriate, developmentally based drug and alcohol education and prevention program for the students attending public schools. The Board directs that the use of illicit drugs and the unlawful possession and use of alcohol is wrong and harmful. Each student shall be specifically prohibited from being under the influence of, bringing on, consuming, or having in his possession on a school bus, on school premises, or at a school function away from the school, any alcoholic beverages, intoxicating liquors, narcotic drugs, prescription medications, marijuana, nitrate based inhalants, imitation or counterfeit controlled substances, or other controlled substance as defined by state statutes, unless dispensed by a licensed physician as allowed by law. The Superintendent shall be responsible for maintaining appropriate procedures for the detection of alcohol, drugs, or any imitation or other controlled substances. Any student found in violation of the above shall be suspended and recommended for expulsion by the principal. Any violations of criminal laws, state or federal, committed on school property shall be prosecuted as provided by law. School officials, teachers and/or Board employees shall report all violators to the principal, who in turn, shall notify the proper law enforcement agency and shall cooperate with the prosecuting attorney's office in the prosecution of charges. Any student who distributes, sells or dispenses in any manner or form whatsoever a controlled dangerous substance as defined by state law to another student or anyone else while on the school premises shall be expelled pursuant to the provisions and guidelines as set forth in state law. The principal shall immediately notify the parents or guardian, by telephone, of any student found in violation of this policy. If the parents or guardian cannot be reached by phone, the principal shall then notify them of the action by sending a letter within twenty-four (24) hours. Care shall be given to afford due process to all students. A substance abuse prevention education program shall be incorporated in to every school, which shall include a committee or prevention team to investigate, research, and report on instances or reports of possession of controlled dangerous substances or alcoholic beverages. The committee or team shall adequately report its findings and make appropriate recommendations for treatment, counseling or other appropriate action to the principal. Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§14:403.1, 17:416,
40:617.1, 40:961 et seq.; Board minutes 4-20-93. SCHOOL BUS CONDUCT The Board directs that the bus driver, together with the principal, shall assume full responsibility for discipline of pupils riding buses. It is the duty of the driver, in case of any infraction of rules by any student, to notify the principal of the school the student attends. If possible, this must be done in person. It is the responsibility of the principal to determine necessary punishment to students violating regulations. If found necessary, the principal may suspend bus privileges. Any parent of a pupil suspended from riding a school bus shall have the right to appeal to the Superintendent, who shall conduct a hearing on the merits of the bus suspension. A pupil damaging a school bus shall be subject to suspension from school. Any pupil suspended for damages to any school bus shall not be readmitted until payment in full has been made for such damage or until his readmittance is directed by the Superintendent. At no time shall the bus operator assume authority for suspending bus privileges or taking disciplinary action. Smoking on school buses by students or operators shall not be permitted. Students shall be notified of all bus regulations. Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§17:223, 17:416. FILE: JCDAE DANGEROUS WEAPONS The Board shall authorize the principal of each school to automatically suspend, and recommend expulsion for, any student found in possession of a dangerous weapon on the school grounds, on school buses and/or at any school-sponsored event, at any time, during or after regular school hours, with limited exception. A dangerous weapon means any gas, liquid, or other substance or instrumentality, which in the manner used, is likely to produce death or great bodily harm. When the student is found in possession of a weapon, the Superintendent shall be immediately notified and the principal shall take appropriate disciplinary action. If a student is detained for carrying, or the principal or designee confiscates or seizes a firearm or concealed dangerous weapon from a student while on school property, on a school bus, or at a school function, the principal or school official shall immediately report the detention of the student or seizure of the firearm or weapon to the police department or sheriff's office where the school is located and shall deliver any firearm or weapon seized to that agency. Failure to report the detention of the student
or seizure of a firearm or concealed weapon by a principal or school official to
a law enforcement agency within seventy-two (72) hours may result in a
misdemeanor offense with a fine of up to $500 or a sentence of up to 40 hours of
community service, or both. It is unlawful for a student or nonstudent to intentionally possess a firearm or dangerous weapon on school property at a school sponsored function or within 1000 feet of school property or while on a school bus at any time. The area surrounding the school campus or within 1000 feet of any such school campus, or within a school bus shall be designated firearm free zones. The School Board, in cooperation with local governmental agencies, and the State Department of Education, shall designate and mark firearm free zones which surround all schools and school property. Revised: November, 1989 Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§14:2, 14:95,
14:95.2, 14:95.6, 17:416, 17:416.3. DRESS CODE (EFFECTIVE 2002-2003 SCHOOL YEAR) Guidelines for acceptable, normal, good grooming should be taught and enforced in the home by the parents as part of their responsibility in training their children for responsible citizenship. All students are expected to be responsible in their dress and grooming by avoiding extremes and manifesting self-discipline with regards to these regulations. Cooperation of parents is expected. The policy of the Calcasieu Parish School Board shall be that no mode of attire will be considered proper for school wear that distracts or disrupts classroom and school decorum. The Board feels it is the responsibility of each student to use good judgment in one's total appearance so that the attention of others is not distracted from the purpose of school. Cleanliness shall be a basic consideration. For health and safety reasons, students must wear shoes to school. Any substantial complaint concerning the dress code shall be dealt with by the school administration. SCHOOL UNIFORMS Students attending Pre-K-12 schools in Calcasieu Parish shall be required to wear official school uniforms. Uniforms shall be the same for all schools, as follows:
Other Dress Code Regulations:
Principals may declare spirit or club days and allow students to wear school spirit shirts, or dress up days (i.e., when school pictures are scheduled) or allow students to wear other uniforms such as Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, cheerleaders, band, chorus, etc. Other questions about uniforms should be referred first to the school authorities, then to the central office staff. DISCIPLINE GUIDELINES FOR UNIFORMS All Pre-K – 12 schools in Calcasieu Parish will strive to achieve full compliance of the Dress Code Policy and should resort to disciplinary measures only when positive measures fail. The intent of this policy is not to prevent any student who is not in uniform from attending school. This policy is not intended to suspend or expel a student from class or from school or lower an academic grade as a result of not complying with the School Uniform Policy. The following is a progressive disciplinary plan for students who are considered non-compliant with the Dress Code Policy and who have not been granted an exemption. Elementary:
Middle and High School:
Students shall not be considered in violation of the Dress Code Policy in the following instances:
Parent(s) or guardian(s) may request an exemption from the School Uniform Policy by submitting a written request to the school principal. Exemptions may be granted for religious reasons, medical reasons, or other justifiable reasons.
Revised: June, 1999 Ref: Scott v. Board of Education, 304 N.Y.S. 2d 601 (1969); Darr v Schmidt, 460 F 2d 609 (1972); La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §17:416.7; Board Minutes, 5-4-99, 6-1-99, 2-1-00, 5-7-02, 6-4-02. DEMONSTRATIONS OF STUDENTS It is recognized that individual students or groups of students may, from time to time, feel that certain policies of the School Board are in need of change, or that the administration of such policies is not producing the effect desired by the Board for the education of the students. Such students have a right to express their opinions, in a proper manner, and have the opportunity to discuss any problem with their teachers and principal. It is the duty of the principal to always keep lines of communication open with his students, and to listen to the complaints in a fair and sincere manner. It is the responsibility of the principal to
maintain order at each school. The Superintendent shall be notified of any
incipient unrest in any student body. No disorderly demonstrations, sit-ins,
lock-ins; nor damages to school grounds, school plants, or school records shall
be tolerated. Any type of demonstration that prevents the orderly progress of a
school day, that prevents normal class functions, or that prevents
nonparticipating students from their usual class activity, shall not be
tolerated. Students participating in such demonstrations shall be immediately
suspended and removed from the campus; by force if necessary. Students suspended
shall not be allowed to return to the campus until the suspension is terminated
by the Superintendent. STUDENT-TO-STUDENT SEXUAL HARASSMENT The School Board recognizes that peer sexual harassment is a form of prohibited discrimination and can contribute to an unacceptable educational environment. The Board, therefore, will not tolerate sexual harassment on the part of any student toward another student. Harassment is defined as a gender-based conduct directed because of a student's sex, and as any unwelcome sexual advance, request for sexual favor, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when the conduct is sufficiently severe, persistent, or pervasive to limit a student's ability to participate in or benefit from the education program, or to alter the conditions of the student's educational environment so as to create a hostile or abusive educational environment. Incidents of sexual harassment may include verbal or written assaults involving phrases with direct or implied sexual meaning; physical harassment such as unnecessary or offensive touching; or visual harassment such as derogatory or offensive posters, pictures, cards, cartoons, graffiti, drawings, looks, or gestures. Harassment does not depend solely upon the perpetrator's intention, but also upon how the targeted person perceives the behavior and is affected by the behavior. Each school shall educate its student population and staff concerning the School Board's intolerance of such harassment and shall require students and staff to report any such behavior to the school administrator. Harassment policy information shall be disseminated to the student population. The information shall be age-appropriate and provided through usual means such as newsletters, school handbooks, or other methods. FORMAL PROCEDURE FOR STUDENT-TO-STUDENT Upon receipt of a complaint of harassment, the school principal or his/her designee will:
All reports received shall be properly and adequately investigated. Appropriate disciplinary action shall be taken when violations of this policy have been determined. The Board shall prohibit retaliation against any employee or student for a complaint made or for participating in an investigation of alleged harassment. Nothing contained in this policy and/or procedure shall restrict or diminish the authority of the Superintendent to suspend or expel students in accordance with the policies of the School Board, state and federal law and applicable regulations. Ref: PL 88-352 (42 U.S.C. 2000e et seq.); 29
CFR §1604.11; La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§14:41 et seq., 17:81; Board minutes,
8-4-98. FILE: JD DISCIPLINE The School Board recognizes the necessity for reasonable control and discipline over the conduct of pupils under its jurisdiction. 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. 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. 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. If removed, the student shall not receive credit for school work missed. A 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. 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:
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. 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. 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 forms shall be submitted in accordance with procedures outlined by the Board, 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:
DEFINITIONS 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 themselves 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. ELECTRONIC TELECOMMUNICATION DEVICES No person, unless authorized by the school principal or designee, shall use, possess, or operate any electronic telecommunication device including any facsimile system, radio paging service, mobile telephone service, intercom, or electro-mechanical paging system in any elementary or secondary school building, or on the grounds thereof or in any school bus. A violation of these provisions shall be grounds for disciplinary action, including but not limited to, suspension or referral of the pupil to the juvenile court of the parish. Appropriate law enforcement agencies shall be notified of any person, other than a pupil or school employee, who violates this policy while on school property without authority and such person(s) shall be dealt with under the criminal laws of the state. Revised: December, 1990 Revised: August, 1994 Ref: 42 U.S.C.A. §12012, et seq.; La. Rev.
Stat. Ann. §§17:223, 17:224, 17:233, 17:239, 17:416, 17:416.1; Pupil Appraisal
Handbook, Bulletin 1508, State Department of Education. FILE: JD-R VIOLENCE PREVENTION PROGRAM The Calcasieu Parish School Board, in implementing the Violence Prevention Program, requires that student aggressors be arrested by law enforcement officers when school officials determine that a fight has occurred on campus, at extra-curricular activities, on school buses, and at school bus stops. The Violence Prevention Program shall be preventive in nature, and is intended to ensure that schools will be a safe haven for all students. Parents can be assured that every precaution will be taken to keep their children safe, and to prevent violent acts from occurring at our schools. PROGRAM PROVISIONS Students involved in a fight that has occurred on campus, at extracurricular activities, on school buses, or at school bus stops shall be arrested and taken into custody (removed from campus), and a cash bond of $250 shall be required to release the student from custody. Parents unable to afford a cash bond must agree to make weekly payments of $25. These students shall also be required to attend conflict resolution sessions. Upon completion of the classes, parents will be refunded 80% of the bond, the balance being applied to court costs and conflict resolution classes. Some cases may be accepted by the District Attorney's Office for referral to court. Students will be suspended and/or expelled from school if found guilty. Students involved in other cases accepted for pre-trial intervention will be ordered to perform services in school projects under school personnel supervision. Revised: September, 1997 Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§17:81, 17:223,
17:416, 17:416.1; Board minutes, 6-4-96, 8-5-97. 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. 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. Const. Amend. XIII; U.S. Const.
Amend. XIV {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); La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§17:81.6, 17:416. FILE: JDD SUSPENSION The 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, shall, prior to any suspension, 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. 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, 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 pupil, after being suspended on three (3) occasions for committing any suspendable offense during the same school session, shall, on committing the fourth offense, be expelled from the public schools of the parish until the beginning of the next regular school year, and the pupil's reinstatement shall be subject to review by the School Board. The principal shall promptly advise the Superintendent or his or her 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 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. 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 report with the Superintendent, other appropriate personnel and the parent or guardian and retain a copy for his records. Any parent, tutor, or legal guardian of a pupil suspended shall have the right to appeal to the Superintendent or his designee, who shall conduct a hearing on the merits. 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. Any pupil suspended shall receive no credit for
school work missed while suspended. MANDATORY SUSPENSION The principal shall be required to suspend a pupil who is found carrying or possessing a firearm, a knife with a blade two (2) inches or longer, or other dangerous instrumentalities, or 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, as state law has mandated expulsion for certain offenses, except in the case of a student in 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. 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. Whenever a pupil is formally accused of violating state law or school disciplinary regulations by committing 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. 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 themselves 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 NOT APPLICABLE Suspension of a student shall not apply to the following:
SUSPENSION OF STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES Suspension of students with disabilities shall be in accordance with policy JDF, Discipline of Students With Disabilities. Revised: December, 1992 Revised: July, 1996 Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§17:223, 17:416,
17:416.1, 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. FILE: JDE EXPULSION The 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 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. 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. 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. 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 is expelled. MANDATORY EXPULSION State law requires the Superintendent to expel a pupil for minimum periods of time if found guilty of certain offenses, as follows:
Expulsion, especially those outlined above, shall not apply to the following:
ADDITIONAL REASONS FOR EXPULSION Pupils may also be expelled for any of the following reasons:
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 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. Any pupil expelled from school for items A, B, C, or D under Mandatory Expulsions above 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. 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. 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 readmitted to any school until the pupil has enrolled and participated in an appropriate rehabilitation or counseling program related to the reason(s) for the 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 the pupil attesting in writing that no appropriate program is available in the area or that the pupil cannot enroll or participate due to financial hardship. 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 themselves 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 policy JDF, Discipline of Students with Disabilities. Revised: October, 1995 Ref: 18 U.S.C. 921, 20 U.S.C. 2701 et seq., La.
Rev. Stat. Ann. §§17:416, 17:2092; Goss v. Lopez, 95. S. Ct. 729 (1973). FILE: JDF DISCIPLINE OF STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES A. For purposes of removal of a student with a disability from the student's current educational placement, a change of placement occurs when 1. a student with a disability is removed from his or her current educational placement for more than ten (10) consecutive school days; or 2. a student with a disability is subjected to a series of removals that constitute a pattern because they cumulate to more than ten (10) school days in a school year and because of factors such as the length of each removal, the total amount of time the student is removed, and the proximity of the removals to one another. B. School personnel have the authority to order a change in placement for a student with a disability when certain conditions exist. 1. School personnel may order a removal of a student with a disability from the student's current educational placement for not more than ten (10) consecutive school days for any violation of school rules to the extent a removal would be applied to a student without a disability, and school personnel may order additional removals of not more than ten (10) consecutive school days in the same school year for separate incidents of misconduct as long as the removals do not constitute a change of placement. 2. School personnel may order a change in placement of a student with a disability to an appropriate interim alternative educational setting for the same amount of time a student without a disability would be subject to discipline, but for not more than forty‑five (45) days, if a. the student has carried a weapon to school or to a school function under the jurisdiction of the State or any School Board; or b. the student has knowingly possessed or used illegal drugs or sold or solicited the sale of a controlled substance while at school or a school function under the jurisdiction of the State or of any School Board. C. For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply: 1. Controlled substance means a drug or other substance identified under schedule I, II III, IV, or V in Sec. 202(c) of the Controlled Substance Act (21 U.S.C. 812 (c)). 2. Illegal drug means a controlled substance but does not include a substance that is legally possessed or used under the supervision of a licensed health‑care professional or that is legally possessed or used under any other authority under that Act or under any other provision of Federal law. 3. Weapon has the meaning given the term dangerous weapon under paragraph (2) of the first subsection (g) of Sec. (g) of Sec 930 of Title 18, United States Code. D. An approved hearing officer has the authority to order change in placement for a student with a disability when certain conditions exist. 1. The hearing officer may order a change in placement of a student with a disability to an appropriate interim alternative educational setting for not more than forty‑five (45) days if the hearing officer, in an expedited due process hearing: a. determines that the School Board has demonstrated by substantial evidence that maintaining the current placement of the student is substantially likely to result in injury to the student or to others (substantial evidence means beyond a preponderance of the evidence); b. considers the appropriateness of the student's current placement; c. considers whether the School Board has made reasonable efforts to minimize the risk of harm in the student's current placement, including the use of supplementary aids and services; and d. determines that the interim alternative educational setting that is proposed by school personnel who have consulted with the student's special education teacher meets all IAES requirements as set forth in paragraph F below. E. A School Board need not provide services during periods of removal under B.1 above to a student with a disability who has been removed from his or her current placement for ten (10) school days or less in that school year, if services are not provided to a student without disabilities who has been similarly removed. 1. In the case of a student with a disability who has been removed from his or her current placement for more than ten (10) school days in that school year, the School Board for the remainder of the removals, shall provide services to the extent necessary to enable the student to progress appropriately in the general curriculum and to advance appropriately toward achieving the goals set out in the student's IEP, if the removal is a. under the school personnel's authority to remove under paragraph B.1 above for not more than ten (10) consecutive school days as long as that removal does not constitute a change of placement; school personnel, in consultation with the student's special education teacher, shall determine the extent to which services are necessary to enable the student to progress appropriately in the general curriculum and to advance appropriately toward achieving the goals set out in the student's IEP; b. for behavior that is not a manifestation of the student's disability consistent under paragraph G below; the student's IEP team shall determine the extent to which services are necessary to enable the student to progress appropriately in the general curriculum and to advance appropriately toward achieving the goals set out in the student's IEP. 2. The School Board shall provide services that will enable the student to continue to progress in the general curriculum and to continue to receive those services and modifications, including those described in the student's current IEP, that will enable the student to meet the goals set out in that IEP. The School Board shall include services and modifications designed to address the behavior described below and to prevent the behavior from recurring if the removal is a. for drugs or weapon offenses (the IEP team determines the interim alternative educational setting); or b. based on a hearing officer's determination that maintaining the current placement of the student is substantially likely to result in injury to the student or others if he or she remains in the current placement. (School personnel in consultation with the student's special education teacher shall propose the interim alternative educational setting to the hearing officer.) F. Either before, or not later than ten (10) business days after either first removing the student for more than ten (10) school days in a school year or commencing a removal that constitutes a change of placement and including the action described under paragraph B.2 above, the School Board shall follow prescribed procedures as listed below. 1. If the School Board did not conduct a functional behavior assessment and implement a behavioral intervention plan for the student before the behavior that resulted in the removal occurred, the School Board shall convene an IEP meeting to develop an assessment plan. 2. If the student already has a behavioral intervention plan, the IEP team shall meet to review the plan and its implementation as necessary, to address the behavior. 3. As soon as practicable after developing the behavioral intervention plan and completing the assessment required by the plan, the School Board shall convene an IEP meeting to develop appropriate behavioral interventions to address that behavior and shall implement those interventions. 4. If subsequently, a student with a disability who has a behavioral intervention plan and who has been removed from his or her placement for more than ten (10) school days in a school year is subjected to a removal that does not constitute a change of placement, the IEP team members shall review the behavior intervention plan and its implementation to determine whether modifications are necessary. a. If one or more of the team members believe that modifications are needed, the team shall meet to modify the plan and its implementation to the extent the team determines necessary. G. The interim alternative educational setting referred to in paragraph B above shall be determined by the IEP team. Any interim alternative educational setting in which a student is placed under paragraphs B.2 and C above shall 1. be selected so as to enable the student to continue to progress in the general curriculum, although in another setting, and to continue to receive those services and modifications, including those described in the student's current IEP, that will enable the student to meet the goals set out in that IEP; and 2. shall include services and modifications designed to address the behavior described in paragraphs B.2 and C above, and to prevent the behavior from recurring. H. Manifestation determination review is required whenever an action involving a removal that constitutes a change of placement for a student with a disability is contemplated. 1. Not later than the date on which the decision to take that action is made, the parents shall be notified of that decision and shall be provided the procedural safeguards notice Louisiana's Educational Rights of Children With Disabilities. 2. Immediately, if possible, but in no case later than ten (10) school days after the date on which the decision to take that action is made, a review shall be conducted of the relationship between the student's disability and the behavior subject to the disciplinary action. 3. The review shall be conducted by the IEP team and other qualified personnel in a meeting. 4. In carrying out the manifestation determination review, the IEP team and other qualified personnel may determine that the behavior of the student was not a manifestation of the student's disability only if the IEP team and other qualified personnel a. consider, in terms of the behavior subject to disciplinary action, all relevant information ‑ the evaluation and diagnostic results, including the results or other relevant information supplied by the parent or student; observations of the student; and the student's IEP and placement ‑ and b. determine that i. in relationship to the behavior subject to disciplinary action, the student's IEP and placement were appropriate and the special education services, supplementary aids and services, and behavior intervention strategies were provided consistent with the student's IEP and placement; ii. the student's disability did not impair the ability of the student to understand the impact and consequence of the behavior subject to disciplinary action; and iii. the student's disability did not impair the ability of the student to control the behavior subject to disciplinary action. 5. If the IEP team and other qualified personnel determine that any of the standards in item 4 above were not met, the behavior shall be considered a manifestation of the student's disability. 6. If the IEP team and other qualified personnel determine that the behavior is a manifestation of the student's disability, the disciplinary removal cannot occur, unless the removal is in accordance with paragraphs B.2(a) and (b), and C above. The IEP team may consider modification to the student's program (e.g., additional related services, counseling, changes in the behavior management plan, increased time in special education, changes to class schedules, change of teacher). 7. The manifestation review meeting may be conducted at the same IEP meeting that is convened to conduct the functional behavioral assessment. 8. If in the review, the School Board identifies deficiencies in the student's IEP or placement or in their implementation, it shall take immediate steps to remedy those deficiencies. I. When the determination is made that the behavior was not a manifestation of the student's disability, prescribed guidelines shall be followed. 1. If the results of the manifestation determination review is that the behavior of the student was not a manifestation of the student's disability, the relevant disciplinary procedures applicable to students without disabilities may be applied to the student in the same manner in which they would be applied to students without disabilities except a FAPE as defined in paragraph E above shall be provided. 2. If the School Board initiates disciplinary procedures applicable to all students, the School Board shall ensure that the special education and disciplinary records of the student with a disability are transmitted for consideration by the persons or persons making the final determination regarding the disciplinary action. 3. Except as provided in paragraph K.1 below, if a parent requests a hearing to challenge a determination made through the review process that the behavior of the student was not a manifestation of the student's disability, the student shall remain in the current educational placement unless the parent and School Board agree otherwise. J. If the student's parent disagrees with a determination that the student's behavior was not a manifestation of the student's disability or with any decision regarding placement and discipline, the parent may request a hearing. 1. The State or School Board shall arrange for an expedited hearing in any case described in the above paragraph if a hearing is requested by a parent. a. In reviewing a decision with respect to the manifestation determination, the hearing officer shall determine whether the School Board has demonstrated that the student's behavior was not a manifestation of the student's disability. b. In reviewing a decision under paragraph B.2 above, to place a student in an interim alternative educational setting, the hearing officer shall apply the standards in paragraph G above. K. The student's placement during appeal shall follow prescribed guidelines. 1. If the parents request a hearing or an appeal regarding a disciplinary action described in paragraphs B.2 or C to challenge the interim alternative educational setting or the manifestation determination, the student shall remain in the interim alternative educational setting pending the decision of the hearing officer or until expiration of the time period in paragraphs B.2 or C, whichever occurs first, unless the parent and the State or School Board agree otherwise. 2. If a student is placed in an interim alternative educational setting pursuant to paragraphs B.2 and C above and school personnel propose to change the student's placement after expiration of the interim alternative placement, during the pendency of any proceeding to challenge the proposed change in placement, the student shall remain in the current placement (student's placement prior to the interim alternative educational setting), except as provided in paragraph J.1 above. 3. The School Board may request an expedited due process hearing if school personnel maintain that it is dangerous for the student to be in the current placement (placement prior to removal to the interim alternative education setting) during the pendency of the due process proceedings. a. In determining whether the student may be placed in the alternative educational setting or in another appropriate placement ordered by the hearing officer, the hearing officer shall apply the standards in paragraph F above. b. A placement ordered pursuant to 3.a above may not be longer than forty-five (45) days. c. The procedures in 3 above may be repeated as necessary. L. A student who has not been determined to be eligible for special education and related services, and who has engaged in behavior that violated any rule or code of conduct of the School Board including any behavior described in paragraphs B and E, may assert any of the protections provided for in this section if the School Board had knowledge (as determined in accordance with item 2 below) that the student was a student with a disability before the behavior that precipitated the disciplinary action occurred. 1. A School Board shall be deemed to have knowledge that a student is a student with a disability if a. the parent of the student has expressed concern in writing (or orally if the parent does not know how to write or has a disability that prevents a written statement) to personnel of the School Board that the student is in need of special education and related services; b. the behavior or performance of the student demonstrates the need for these services, in accordance with the definition of a student with a disability; c. the parent of the student has requested an evaluation of the student; or d. the teacher of the student or other school district personnel has expressed concern about the behavior or performance of the student to the director of special education or to other personnel in accordance with the School Board's established child find or special education referral system. 2. The School Board would not be deemed to have knowledge under item 1 above, if as a result of receiving the information specified in that paragraph, the School Board either a. conducted an evaluation and determined that the student was not a student with a disability; or b. determined that an evaluation was not necessary and provided notice to the student's parents of its determination. 3. Certain conditions apply if there is no basis of knowledge. a. If the School Board does not have knowledge that a student is a student with a disability, in accordance with items 1 and 2 above, prior to taking disciplinary measures against the student, the student may be subjected to the same disciplinary measures as measures applied to students without disabilities who engaged in comparable behaviors. b. If a request is made for an evaluation of a student during the time period in which the student is subjected to disciplinary measures, the evaluation shall be conducted in less than sixty (60) business days without exception or extensions. 4. Until the evaluation is completed, the student shall remain in the educational placement determined by school authorities, which can include suspension or expulsion without educational services. 5. If the student is determined to be a student with a disability, taking into consideration information from the evaluation conducted by the School Board and information provided by the parents, the School Board shall provide special education and related services. M. Expedited due process hearings addressed in paragraph J above shall follow procedures prescribed below. 1. The hearing shall meet the pertinent requirements of Bulletin 1706, Regulations for Implementation of the Children With Exceptionalities Act. 2. The hearing shall be conducted by a qualified due process hearing officer. 3. The hearing shall result in a written decision that shall be mailed to the parties within twenty (20) business days of the School Board's receipt of the request for the hearing, without exceptions or extensions. 4. The hearing shall have time lines that are the same for hearings requested by the parents or the School Board. 5. The hearing shall be conducted according to pertinent guidelines, where appropriate, and according to guidelines established by the Louisiana Department of Education. 6. The decisions on expedited due process hearings are appealable consistent with the procedures established in Bulletin 1706. The request for an appeal of the expedited due process hearing shall be sent to the Louisiana Department of Education by certified mail within five (5) business days of receipt of the expedited due process hearing decision. A final decision shall be reached in the review and a copy mailed to all parties within twenty (20) business days of receipt of the request for a review without exceptions or extensions. N. Nothing in this policy or state regulations shall prohibit the School Board from reporting a crime committed by a student with a disability to appropriate authorities or to prevent State law enforcement and judicial authorities from exercising their responsibilities with regard to the application of Federal and State law to crimes committed by a student with a disability. 1. The School Board, in reporting a crime committed by a student with a disability, shall ensure that copies of the special education and disciplinary records of the student are transmitted for consideration by the appropriate authorities to whom it reports the crime. 2. The Board, in reporting a crime, may transmit copies of the student's special education and disciplinary records only to the extent that the transmission is permitted by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act. Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. ''17:82, 17:416, 17:1941 et seq.; Bulletin 1706, Regulations for the Implementation of the Exceptional Children's Act, Louisiana State Department of Education; Board minutes, 10-16-01.
FILE: JG STUDENT WELFARE Louisiana Revised Statute 14:403 mandates reporting of suspected abuse/neglect of a child by any person having reasonable cause to believe that abuse/neglect exists. "Person", as defined, includes but is not limited to, all personnel employed by the Calcasieu Parish School Board. "Child", as defined, is any individual under the age of eighteen years. "Abuse", as defined, is the infliction by a person responsible for the child's care, of physical or mental injury or the causing of the deterioration of a child including but not limited to such means as sexual abuse, sexual exploitation (including prostitution or pornography), or the exploitation or overwork of a child to such an extent that his health or moral or emotional well-being is endangered. "Neglect", as defined, is the failure, by a person responsible for a child's care, to provide the proper or necessary support, education as required by law, or medical, surgical, or any other care necessary for his well-being. No child who is being provided treatment in accordance with a recognized religious method of healing in lieu of medical treatment shall for that reason alone be considered to be neglected or abused. Calcasieu Parish School Board personnel who have reasonable cause to suspect abuse/neglect of a student shall report the suspected abuse/neglect immediately to the Parish child protection agency, and if necessary, to the Parish or State law enforcement agency (sheriff's department or city police). An oral report shall be made immediately upon learning of the suspected abuse or neglect, and a written report shall follow within five days to the same agency or department. In addition, a copy of the written report shall be forwarded to the Office of Child Welfare and Attendance immediately upon completion of the report. R.S. 14:403 grants immunity from civil liability to mandated reporters who in good faith report abuse/neglect. Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§14:403, 17:81.6;
Board minutes, 4-20-93.
STUDENT HEALTH SERVICES HEARING AND VISION SCREENING: The School Board nurse shall test the sight and hearing of each and every student under their jurisdiction, in K, 1, and all odd grades yearly, except those students whose parents or guardians may object to such tests. TESTING FOR DYSLEXIA Upon the request of a parent, student, school nurse, classroom teacher, or other school personnel who has reason to believe that a student has a need to be tested for dyslexia, that student shall be referred to the school building level committee for additional testing. The Board may provide for additional training for school nurses to aid in identifying dyslexic students. A record of such examination, shall be kept and the administrators shall be required to follow up on the deficiencies within sixty (60) days, and shall notify in writing the parent or tutor of every pupil found to have any defect of sight or hearing. A written report of all such examinations shall be made to the state superintendent of education but shall not be made available to the public. For purposes of this policy, "dyslexia" shall be defined as difficulty with the alphabet, reading, reading comprehension, writing, and spelling in spite of adequate intelligence, exposure, and cultural opportunity. CATHETERIZATION The School Board does not require any employee other than a registered nurse or a licensed medical physician to catheterize any student until all of the following conditions have been met:
The provisions of this part of the policy shall be restricted to those students who have had intermittent catheterization prescribed as a treatment for urinary or neurologic dysfunction and not for continuous bladder drainage or to obtain urine specimens for diagnostic purposes. No employee shall be requested to catheterize any student for continuous bladder drainage or to obtain urine specimens for diagnostic purposes. PERFORMING NONCOMPLEX HEALTH PROCEDURES The term "noncomplex health procedure" shall mean a task which is safely performed according to exact directions, with no need to alter the standard procedure, and which yields predictable results. It shall include the following:
The Board does not require any employee other than a registered nurse, licensed medical physician, or an appropriate licensed health professional to perform noncomplex health procedures until all the following conditions have been met:
The School Board shall provide the necessary safety equipment, materials, and supplies to each employee who performs noncomplex health procedures. Such safety equipment, materials, and supplies shall include but not be limited to gloves, anti-bacterial soaps and wipes, paper towels and masks. For the purposes of this policy, "employee" means any appropriate member of the education staff. SCOLIOSIS SCREENING Scoliosis screening is done to detect early spinal deviations in children. This screening is done on all sixth, seventh, and eighth grade students. Rescreening is done by the school nurse in conjunction with local orthopedic physicians/family practicioner. If the student should be referred for further examination, the parents are notified. BREAST SELF-EXAMINATION All girls in public junior and senior high schools shall be taught the proper procedure for breast self-examination and the need for an annual pap test for cervical cancer, in accordance with state law. The following guidelines will govern instructions regarding breast self-examination and the pap test for cervical cancer:
KNOWN HEALTH PROBLEMS 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. Revised: December, 1990 Ref: Irving Independent School District v.
Tatro, 104 S.Ct. 33371 (1984); La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§14:403, 17:170, 17:275,
17:435, 17:436, 17:2112. FILE: JGCB IMMUNIZATIONS The Board shall require all children currently enrolled or entering any school for the first time in the Calcasieu Parish School System to present satisfactory evidence of immunization against vaccine-preventable diseases according to a schedule approved by the state office of public health, or shall present evidence of an immunization program in progress. If booster injections for the diseases enumerated on the state schedule are advised, such booster injections shall be administered. The Board may require immunizations or proof of immunity more extensive than required by the office of public health. The minimum required standard for kindergarten school entry is four (4) DTP's, three (3) Polio's, two (2) MMR's, and the Hepatitis B series which includes three (3) injections. The adult T.D. (tetanus/ diphtheria) booster and a second MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) are required on middle and high school students if the student has not already received them. Any student failing to meet the immunization standards shall be prohibited from attending school until such time as the immunization standards are met. Principals and teachers of all schools shall be responsible for checking student's records to see that provisions of this policy are enforced. No child seeking to enter any school in the
school district shall be required to comply with the provisions of this written
policy if the child or his parent/legal guardian submits either a If an outbreak of a vaccine-preventable disease occurs, upon the recommendation of the state office of public health, school administrators may exclude from attendance unimmunized students until the appropriate disease incubation period has expired or the unimmunized person presents evidence of immunization. Revised: December, 1984 Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §17:170; Board
minutes, 2-19-91, 2-19-92, 8-4-98. FILE: JGCC COMMUNICABLE DISEASE CONTROL The School Board desires to work cooperatively with the Louisiana Department of Health and Human Resources for the prevention, control and containment of communicable diseases in schools, in accordance with the following:
FILE: JGCD ADMINISTRATION OF MEDICATION The administration of medication to students must be in compliance with the requirements of R.S. 17:436.1, and the policy established by the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE). It shall be the policy of the 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.
a. Medication must not be administered to any student without an order from a physician/dentist/certified nurse practitioner licensed to practice medicine in Louisiana or an adjacent state and it must include the following information:
Labels of prepackaged medications, when dispensed, must contain the following information in addition to the regular pharmacy label:
II. ADMINISTRATION OF MEDICATION: GENERAL PROVISIONS
III. PRINCIPAL The principal must designate at least two 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
VI. PARENT/LEGAL GUARDIAN
VII. STUDENT CONFIDENTIALITY ALL STUDENT INFORMATION SHALL BE KEPT CONFIDENTIAL. VIII.KNOWN HEALTH PROBLEMS 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 Current policy of the Calcasieu Parish School System does not permit a student to carry any medication at school or to self-administer medication at school without proper authorization. In order for a child with asthma to be permitted to carry an inhaler at school, the school must receive a written statement from a physician/certified nurse practitioner stating (1) that the child does have asthma and (2) that he or she should carry an inhaler at school/on field trips. In addition, trained, unlicensed school personnel that administer medication must be inserviced on asthma protocol. If the child no longer needs to carry an inhaler 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. The only exemption to the field trip requirement is that either the parent/legal guardian or their adult designee may attend the field trip with the child. 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:
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 field trip cannot be taken. 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/certified nurse practitioner.
Revised: December, 1995
Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann.
''17:81,
17:436.1; Louisiana Administrative Code, Vol. 18, Education Chapter 9,
Section 929, Administration of Medication; Board minutes 10-17-95, 6-17-97,
6-5-01. FILE: JGFG ILLNESS AND ACCIDENTS The School Board shall require that procedures be developed at each school for the proper handling of accidents or emergency illness and made known to the staff. These shall incorporate the following requirements:
FILE: JH STUDENT ACTIVITIES The Board believes that student activities at school are a vital part of the total education program and should be used as a means for developing wholesome attitudes and good human relations, as well as knowledge and skills. The Board believes that school citizenship, as reflected in student activities, is a measure of the achievement of important school goals. The Board recognizes that the greatest values to be derived from both curricular and extracurricular student school activities occur when such activities are developed and encouraged through participation among, or the knowledge of, the student body, interested members in the community, and school staff. The Board further believes that any program of student activities should:
Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§17:2091 et seq. FILE: JHB ACTIVITIES FUND MANAGEMENT
The Superintendent shall be responsible for exercising control over all fund raising activities. He or his designee shall establish and maintain administrative regulations governing all school related fund raising activities. Such activities shall be continually monitored to assure proper management of all funds. The system of accounting for school monies shall be in conformity with the system of accounting recommended by the Board and other appropriate authorities. The sponsor of the organization and the principal shall jointly determine use of such funds. Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §17:81. STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS The Calcasieu Parish School Board, recognizing the importance of worthwhile organizations in the school, encourages all students to participate in student organizations and club activities. Students shall have the right to form organizations within the school for cultural, social, athletic, and other authorized purposes which will enrich and extend their education. Such groups shall follow administrative regulations and procedures developed and maintained by the Superintendent and staff governing the creation and operation of student organizations and clubs in accordance with School Board policy. Student organizations or clubs shall not deny membership to any student because of race, color, creed, sex, national origin, or disability. Principals shall be responsible for approving or authorizing any student activity and/or organization and shall also be responsible for the operation and oversight of all student activities or organizations to assure compliance with administrative regulations. EQUAL ACCESS As provided by the Federal Equal Access Act, any school which allows non-curriculum related groups access to school facilities during non-instructional time must adhere to the following criteria: 1. Equal access will not be denied on the basis of religious, political, philosophical or other content of such meetings or organizations; 2. The meetings are voluntary and student-initiated; 3. There is no sponsorship of the meetings by the school, the government, or its agents or employees; 4. Employees or agents of the school or government are present at religious meetings only in a non-participatory capacity; 5. The meetings do not materially and substantially interfere with the orderly conduct of educational activities within the school; 6. Non-school persons may not direct, conduct, control, or regularly attend activities of student groups; and 7. If access is given to school media such as bulletin boards, newspapers, or public address systems, it must be given to all non-curriculum related clubs on an equal basis. Revised: February, 2003 Ref: 20 U.S.C. 4071-4074; 20 U.S.C. 7905; La. Rev. Stat. Ann. ''17:81, 17:2091; Board minutes, 6-3-03.
SOLICITATIONS No agents, solicitors, collectors, or other persons of like employment shall be allowed to take the time or attention of any student or teacher during school hours or on school premises to advertise, exhibit, promote, collect for, or sell any article whatsoever without the specific approval of the Superintendent or his designee.
CONTESTS FOR STUDENTS The Board recognizes that art and poster contests, essay contests, and other similar activities can be worthwhile if properly directed. All such activities shall be approved by the Superintendent or designee and coordinated through the principal's office. No direct contracts shall be made between representatives of organizations sponsoring such contests and participating teachers and pupils. However worthwhile the goals, drives, and activities of a contest-sponsoring organization may be, exploitation of pupil and teacher time for the sake of the organization itself is not justified. Proper motivation by the faculty of a school
should result in maximum participation on the part of the pupils and should in
the final outcome provide many valuable learning experiences. The underlying
purpose of contests, fairs and other competitive educational activities give
students experiences in creating, preparing, and exhibiting work which
represents their best educational efforts. PREGNANT STUDENTS The Board is cognizant of the problems of marriage, pregnancy and parenthood among students prior to their graduation from high school. The Board authorizes the Superintendent to assure that such students have the opportunity to earn the education which they deserve. It is recommended that a pupil who becomes pregnant notify the principal in writing immediately upon knowledge of the condition. Pregnant pupils will be permitted to continue in school in all instances when continued attendance has the sanction of the expectant mother's physician. A physician's statement shall be required to be put on file stating the pupil's medical condition, approval for continued attendance, and activities in which the pupil may not participate. The student shall keep the school administration continually apprised of her progress. The school shall not be held responsible for any medical problems that may arise with a pregnant pupil while she is in school. Marital, maternal, or paternal status shall not
affect the rights and privileges of pupils to receive a public education nor to
take part in any extracurricular activity offered by the schools. Ref: U.S. Const. Amend. XIV, §1, 20 U.S.C.
{1681 et seq.; Cleveland Board of Education v. LaFleur, 94 S.Ct. 791 (1974);
Davis v. Meeks, 344 F.Supp. 298 (N.D. Ohio 1972); Holt v. Shelton, 371 F.Supp.
821 (M.D. Tenn. 1972). FILE: JQK 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. The 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. 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. Ref: Council on Standards for International Educational Travel; Board minutes, 11-2-93.
LANGUAGE MINORITY STUDENTS
All schools with language minority students shall be obligated to provide written or verbal communications with these students and parents or guardians in a language they can best understand.
Ref: 29 U.S.C. 6801 et seq.; 20 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.; Board minutes, 6-3-03. STUDENT RECORDS Parents and guardians have the right to inspect and review any school records dealing with their children. Students eighteen (18) years of age or older have the sole right to inspect and review their respective student records. Review and dissemination of any student information shall be conducted under strict statutory precautions. Student records are defined to be all official records, files, documents, and other materials directly related to children, including all material that is incorporated into each student's cumulative record folder, and intended for school use or to be available to parties outside the school or school system. Such items include, but are not necessarily limited to, identifying data, academic work completed, grades, standardized test scores, attendance data, scores on standardized intelligence, aptitude, and psychological tests, and health data. ANNUAL NOTIFICATION All parents/guardians shall be notified annually of their rights under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA). Such notification shall be made annually by publication in student handbooks, newsletters, notification to student's home by students, by mail, or publication in the official journal, or in such manner as deemed appropriate by the Board. DIRECTORY INFORMATION Information classified as directory information may be disclosed from a student's record without the written consent of the parent or eligible student. Directory information has been designated by the School Board to include the student's name, address, telephone number, date and place of birth, grade level, major field of study, participation in officially recognized activities and sports, weight and height of members of athletic teams, dates of attendance, degrees and awards received, most recent previous school attended and photograph or video. A parent or eligible student may refuse to allow the Board to designate any or all of the types of information about the student as directory information thus prohibiting its release to the public. After proper notice, a parent or eligible student shall have thirty (30) days in which to notify the School Board as to which types of information about the student shall not be designated as directory information. In accordance with the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, schools shall honor the requests of military recruiters for names, addresses and phone numbers of high school students, unless parents have specified that such information not be released to such recruiters. ACCESS TO RECORDS
RELEASE OF INFORMATION OUTSIDE THE SCHOOL SYSTEM 1. To release student records to other schools or school systems in which the student intends to enroll, the parents, legal guardian or the student, if he/she is eighteen (18) years or over, must be notified of the transfer and the kinds of information being released. They shall receive a copy of such information if it is requested in writing and shall have the opportunity to challenge that record as described above. 2. Those data may be released to State Education and other governmental agencies only if the names and all identifying markings are removed to prevent the identification of individuals. 3. To release student records to other persons or agencies, written consent shall be given by the parent, legal guardian or the student if he/she is 18 or older. Such consent form shall state which records shall be released, to whom they shall be released and the reason for the release. A copy of the student record being sent shall be made available to the person signing the release forms if he/she so desires. 4. The District will not provide a parent or eligible student a copy of the student's education record unless failure to do so would effectively prevent the parent or eligible student the right to inspect and review the records. If the record involves answers to a standardized test, the District will not provide a parent a copy of standardized test questions. 5. Under no circumstances may a school or school district refuse to promptly transfer the records of any child withdrawing or transferring from the school. Transfer of records shall not exceed forty-five (45) days from the date of request, or ten (10) business days from the date of a written request by any authorized individual of an educational facility operated within any correctional or health facility in or out of Louisiana. 6. Student records shall be furnished in compliance with judicial orders, or pursuant to any lawfully issued subpoena if the parents, legal guardian and students are notified in advance. 7. All authorizations for release of information shall be filed in the student cumulative folder. 8. The School Board and employees may disclose education records or information from education records, without the consent of the parent or guardian of the student who is the subject of the records, to certain law enforcement officials. Disclosure of such records or information shall be in accordance with the following provisions: a. Disclosure of education records or information from education records shall only be made to state or local law enforcement officials or to other officials within the juvenile justice system. Verification of the official's position may need to be made before the disclosure of records or information. b. The disclosure of the education record or information must relate to the ability of the juvenile justice system to serve, prior to adjudication, the student whose records or information is to be disclosed. c. The officials to whom the records or the information are disclosed shall certify in writing that that person, and any agency or organization with which that person is affiliated, shall keep the personally identifiable portions of the records or the information confidential and shall not disclose the personally identifiable portions of the records or the information to any person, agency, or organization except a person, agency, or organization within the juvenile justice system having an independent right to the information. d. Any other provisions necessary to comply with federal law or rules. REVIEW OF STUDENT RECORDS BY THE PARENT 1. Schools shall provide for the review of student records by parents or guardians. Parents and students shall be given notification of their right to review the student records. 2. A parent or guardian who desires to review his/her child's record shall contact the school for an appointment. A conference shall be scheduled as soon as possible, not to exceed one month. The disclosure record shall be completed at the time of the conference. Prior to the scheduled conference, the principal shall review the record for accuracy and completeness. 3. The record shall be examined by the parent in the presence of the principal or a designated professional person. The principal or a designated professional person shall provide the parent an opportunity to raise questions regarding information on the records. A record of the review shall be made on the disclosure record. 4. If the parent or guardian requests a hearing to challenge information contained in the student's folder, a written request for the hearing shall be made and a hearing scheduled for a date not less than three (3) working days or more than two (2) weeks from the date of the requests. a. The hearing shall be held with the principal and the parent or guardian at the scheduled time. b. If the parent or guardian is not satisfied with the hearing with the principal, he/she shall have the opportunity to appeal the decision to the Superintendent or designee(s). c. The parent or guardian shall request the appeal in writing to the Superintendent. Upon receipt of said request, the Superintendent shall schedule a hearing within ten (10) working days following receipt of the parent's request. The date, time and place of the review hearing shall be sent to the parent or guardian by United States registered or certified mail, return receipt requested. 5. At the review hearing: a. The Superintendent or designee shall preside; b. The parent or guardian and the principal shall be present. The student shall be present if requested by the parent or guardian or school official; c. The decision of the hearing shall be communicated to the school and parent or guardian in writing within ten (10) working days; d. The parent shall have the right to file a dissenting statement concerning the hearing; such statement shall become part of the student's cumulative folder. TYPES, LOCATIONS, AND CUSTODIANS OF EDUCATION RECORDS
DEFINITIONS Student - any person who attends or has attended a school in the District. Eligible Student - a student or former student who has reached age 18 or is attending a post-secondary school. Parent - either a natural parent of a student, a guardian, or an individual acting as a parent in the absence of the student's parent or guardian. Education Records - any record (in handwriting, print, tapes, film, or other medium) maintained by the District or an agent of the District which is directly related to a student, except: 1. A personal record kept by a school staff member if it is kept in the personal possession of the individual who made the record, and information contained in the record has never been revealed or made available to any other persons except the maker's temporary substitute. 2. An employment record which is used only in relation to a student's employment by the District. 3. Alumni records which contain information about a student after he or she is no longer in attendance at the District and the records do not relate to the person as a student.
Revised: July, 1992 Ref: 20 U.S.C. '1232 (g-i) (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act), 34 CFR 99.1-99.67; 20 U.S.C.7908; La. Rev. Stat. Ann. ''17:81, 17:1955; Board minutes, 6-2-92, 10-5-93, 5-7-02, 6-3-03. STUDENT FEES, FINES AND CHARGES The Calcasieu Parish School Board may impose certain student fees or charges to help offset special costs incurred in the operation of specific classrooms or subjects. No student shall be deprived of proper instruction should the student not be able to pay any student fees, however. DAMAGE TO TEXTBOOKS/INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS The School Board may require parents and/or legal guardians to compensate the school district for lost, destroyed, or unnecessarily damaged books and materials, and for any books which are not returned to the proper schools at the end of each school year or upon withdrawal of their dependent child. Under no circumstances may a student of school age be held financially responsible for fees associated with textbook replacement. Compensation by parents or guardians may be in the form of monetary fees or community/school service activities, as determined by the School Board. In the case of monetary fees, fines shall be limited to no more than the replacement cost of the textbook or material, but may, at the discretion of the Board, be adjusted according to the physical condition of the lost or destroyed textbook. A school system may waive or reduce the payment required if the student is from a family of low income and may provide for a method of payment other than lump-sum payment. In lieu of monetary payments, both school systems and parents/guardians may elect to have students perform school/community service activities, provided that such are arranged so as not to conflict with school instructional time, are properly supervised by school staff, and are suitable to the age of the child. Under no circumstances may a school or school district refuse the parent/guardian the right to inspect relevant grades or records pertaining to the child nor may the school or school district refuse to promptly transfer the records of any child withdrawing or transferring from the school, per requirements of the Federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act. Under no circumstances may a school or school district deny a student promotional opportunities, as a result of failure to compensate the school district for lost or damaged textbooks. Students shall not be denied continual enrollment each grading period nor re-entry in succeeding school years as a result of lost or damaged books. Students shall not be denied the use of a textbook during school hours each day. The school system shall annually inform parents and/or legal guardians of the locally adopted procedures pursuant to state law and regulation, regarding reasonable and proper control of textbooks. Revised: October, 2001 Ref: 20 U.S.C. Section 1232 (g-i); La. Rev. Stat. Ann. ''17:8, 17:81, 17:112; Board minutes, 5-7-02. |