RAPIDES PARISH SCHOOL BOARD POLICIES HANDBOOK AND STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT Attendance Discipline Student Rights and Responsibilities Substance Abuse School Calendar Transfers Rapides Parish School Board Sixth and Beauregard Streets Post Office Box 1230 Alexandria, Louisiana 71309 Dr. Gary L. Jones, Superintendent Mr. Allen R. Bozeman, Assistant Superintendent of Administration Mrs. Eddie Mae W. Washington, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction Mr. Steve Berry, President of the School Board 2010-2011
RAPIDES PARISH SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS (Effective 1-9-07-12-31-10) DISTRICT WARD NAME ADDRESS A 10, 11 Mr. Wilton Barrios, Jr. P. O. Box 655 Tioga, LA 71477 B 9, 10, 11 Mr. Steve Berry 110 Myrtlewood Pineville, LA 71360 C 9, 10, 11 Mr. E. L. Paulk 6750 Dogwood Drive Pineville, LA 71360 D 1, 8 Mrs. Janet Dixon 2701 3 rd Street Alexandria, LA 71302 E 1, 2, 5, 7, 8 Dr. Stephen Chapman 3816 Bayou Rapides Alexandria, LA 71303 F 1, 2 Mr. John E. Allen, Jr. 1610 Van Street Alexandria, LA 71301 G 1, 8 Mr. Paul Dauzat 1220 Windsor Place Alexandria, LA 71303 H 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 Mr. Al Davis P. O. Box 137 Elmer, LA 71424 I 1, 8 Mrs. Pam Webb 1420 S. City Park Blvd. Alexandria, LA 71301
TABLE OF CONTENTS Page SUPERINTENDENT S MESSAGE...1 REFERENCE PAGE FOR CHANGES 2010-2011...2 PURPOSE AND INTRODUCTION...3 SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS...3 SECTION I. DISCIPLINE AND PROCEDURES PHILOSOPHY OF DISCIPLINE...5 MANDATED PROCEDURES FOR DISSEMINATING MATERIALS IN THE DISCIPLINE POLICY...5 DEFINITION OF DISCIPLINE...6 DISCIPLINE PROCEDURES...6 BATTERY ON A SCHOOL EMPLOYEE ACT-733...7 REFERRALS...8 CORPORAL PUNISHMENT...8 ARREST OF STUDENTS BY LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS...9 SECTION II. GENERAL INFORMATION- ALTERNATIVE SCHOOL DISCIPLINE OF STUDENTS ASSIGNED TO THE LEAD CENTER...12 SECTION III. SUSPENSIONS/EXPULSIONS MANDATORY SUSPENSIONS/EXPULSIONS...15 FIREARMS...16 CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES...16 ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION DEVICES...17 ALTERNATIVE INTERVENTIONS...17
ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION BETWEEN EMPLOYEES AND STUDENTS...18 POSITIVE BEHAVIOR SUPPORT...21 DISCRETIONARY SUSPENSIONS...23 INFRACTIONS IN THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL...23 SECOND SUSPENSIONS...24 EXPULSIONS...24 BOMB OR ARSON THREATS...26 SUSPENSION OF STUDENT'S DRIVER'S LICENSE...26 ATTENDANCE REPORTS FOR STUDENT DRIVERS...27 BODY ARMOR...29 SECTION IV. RECUSAL RECUSAL FOR DISCIPLINE OF IMMEDIATE FAMILY...31 DUE PROCESS PROVISIONS FOR DUE PROCESS...31 PRINCIPAL S REPORT OF DISCIPLINARY ACTION...32 SUPERINTENDENT S HEARING ON EXPULSION...32 APPEALS FROM SUSPENSION...32 APPEALS FROM ORDER OF EXPULSION...32 SUSPENSION AND EXPULSION OF STUDENTS NEAR THE END OF SCHOOL...33 PROBATIONARY AGREEMENT...33 PROBATIONARY READMISSION AGREEMENT...34 REQUIREMENTS FOR SENIORS TO PARTICIPATE IN GRADUATION ACTIVITIES...35 GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS...35 SECTION V. SUSPENSION AND EXPULSION OF SPECIAL POPULATIONS SPECIAL EDUCATION... 37-46 PROCEDURE FOR EXCLUSION OF STUDENTS W/DISABILITIES... 37-46
DISCIPLINE PROCEDURES FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION STUDENTS...46 PROCEDURES FOR TRANSITION TO L.E.A.D. CENTER... 47-48 504 SECTION - MANIFESTATION DETERMINATION GUIDELINES... 49-51 SECTION VI. VANDALISM OFF-CAMPUS THREATS...53 DAMAGE TO SCHOOL PROPERTY...53 REMOVAL OF STUDENTS AGE 17 OR OLDER...53 SECTION VII. ATTENDANCE RESPONSIBILITIES...55 ATTENDANCE AND REQUIREMENT: NEW MANDATE...55 ACT #666 OF 2010 - STUDENTS WHO WITHDRAW PRIOR TO GRADUATION...55 PERFECT ATTENDANCE...56 SB 223 - ACT #240 - STUDENTS SUSPENDED FOR TEN (10) OR LESS DAYS...57 EXTENUATING CIRCUMSTANCES...57 ACT #644 OF 2010 - NOTIFICATION TO PARENTS...58 TARDIES (R.S. 17:233)...59 LATE ARRIVAL AND PARISH TARDY POLICIES...60 CHECK OUT POLICY...61 SECTION VIII. TRANSFERS MAJORITY-TO-MINORITY TRANSFERS...64 OPEN ENROLLMENT...64 TRANSFER POLICY...64 STUDENT SELECTION PROCEDURE...64
SECTION IX. RESPONSIBILITIES PRINCIPAL...69 TEACHER...69 STUDENT...69 PARENT...69 PARENT ORIENTATION...70 SECTION X. STUDENTS RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES RIGHT TO PUBLIC EDUCATION...73 504 COORDINATOR AND PUPIL APPRAISAL...74 ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS FOR KINDERGARTEN AND FIRST GRADE...74 SECTION XI. TRANSPORTATION BUS CONDUCT RULES AND REGULATIONS...76 TRAINING FOR BUS DRIVERS...77 DISCIPLINE ON THE BUS...77 SECTION XII. THE RIGHT TO EXPRESS AND DRESS FREEDOM OF SPEECH...79 DRESS AND APPEARANCE...79 GIRLS - #7 - OUT-OF-UNIFORM DRESS DAY...80 POLICY ON BRAIDS...80 BOYS - #7 - OUT-OF-UNIFORM DRESS DAY...81 DISCRIMINATION...82 SEXUAL HARASSMENT...82
STUDENT HARASSMENT OR INTIMIDATION/CYBERBULLYING ACT #755 OF 2010...91 HARASSMENT NOT CAUSED BY A STUDENT RACE, COLOR, NATIONAL ORIGIN...91 SECTION XIII. SEARCHES INTRODUCTION...93 SEARCH OF NON-STUDENTS ENTERING PUBLIC SCHOOL BUILDINGS OR GROUNDS...94 METAL DETECTORS...94 GUIDELINES FOR USE OF METAL DETECTORS...94 RANDOM SEARCHES...95 DETECTOR SEARCH PROCEDURE...95 DISCOVERY OF CONTRABAND...95 RETURN OF PROPERTY...95 STUDENT ACCESS TO AUTOMOBILES...95 SECTION XIV. ACCESS TO RECORDS STUDENTS' RECORDS...97 DIRECTORY INFORMATION (FAMILY EDUCATIONAL RIGHTS AND PRIVACY ACT)...97 FREEDOM OF RELIGION...98 SPECIAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING...98 TITLE IX...98 MARRIAGE AND PREGNANCY...98 GRIEVANCE PROCEDURES...98
SECTION XV. ALCOHOL AND DRUGS SUBSTANCE ABUSE POLICY...101 PHILOSOPHY...101 DUTY OF EMPLOYEES...101 CONSENT FOR ALCOHOL OR DRUG TESTING...101 REFERRAL FOR ALCOHOL OR DRUG TESTING...101-102 SUSPENSION PROCEDURE FOR ALCOHOL-RELATED OFFENSES (FIRST OFFENSE ONLY)...102 POLICY A - FIRST OFFENSE ONLY...102 POLICY B - FIRST OFFENSE ONLY...103 POSSESSION OF ALCOHOL (2ND OFFENSE)...104 POLICY FOR USE OF DRUG DOG...104 ALCOHOL...104 SECTION XVI. MISCELLANEOUS INTERNET...107-109 MEDICATION POLICY...110-111 HEAD LICE POLICY...111 HOME STUDY PROGRAM...111-113 POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR OPERATING THE L.E.A.D. CENTER...114 SCHEDULE FOR THE LEAD CENTER...115 ASSESSMENT PHASE OF THE NEW STUDENTS ADMITTED TO THE LEAD CENTER...116 LOUISIANA MINOR LABOR LAWS (WORK PERMITS)...117 EDUCATION OF CHILDREN HAVING NO PERMANENT ADDRESS AND CERTAIN ABANDONED CHILDREN...118 ADDRESSING ADMINISTRATORS AND TEACHERS WITH RESPECT...118 GEE-21...118-122 TOPS...118-122
SECTION XVII. SCHOOL ADMISSION SCHOOL ADMISSION...124 TEACHER BILL OF RIGHTS...127-129 FORMS...130-136 APPENDIX - (GLOSSARY)...137-138 STATEMENTS OF COMPLIANCE...139 NON-DISCRIMINATORY POLICY...140
Steve Berry, District B President Dr. Gary L. Jones Superintendent 1
Reference Page for Changes 2010 2011 School Year Page Superintendent s Message. 1 Discipline of Students Assigned to the L.E.A.D. Center 13 Electronic Communication Between Employees and Students.. 18 Attendance Reports for Student Drivers... 27 Probationary Agreement Changes... 33 Discipline Procedures for Special Education Students... 46 Procedures for Transition to the L.E.A.D. Center... 47 504 Section Manifestation Determination Guidelines... 49 Attendance (New Mandate) and Requirements... 55 ACT #666 of 2010 Students who Withdraw Prior to Graduating from School... 55 SB #223, ACT #240 Pupils Suspended for Ten (10) or Less Days... 57 Extenuating Circumstances as Mandated #9 Board Approval... 57 Absences Due to Suspensions Eligible for Make up Work... 57 ACT #644 of 2010 School Principal or Designee to Notify Parents/Guardians in Writing on or before a Student s Third Unexcused Absence or Tardy..... 58 Open Enrollment... 64 Names of the 504 Coordinator and the Pupil Appraisal... 74 Dress and Appearance Out of Dress Day... 80 Girls #7 School sweatshirts and hoodies can be worn at the discretion of the Principal on out of uniform dress day... 80 Boys #7 School sweatshirts and hoodies can be worn at the discretion of the Principal on out of uniform dress day... 81 Belts (Any Color)... 81 Sexual Harassment And Not Caused by a Student Race/Gender, National Origin, Ethnicity, Sex, Sexual Orientation or Disability Note: Cyberbullying Amended ACT #755 of 2010 Policy on Cyberbullying by January 1, 2010... 91 Directory Information (FERPA) Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act... 97 Expulsion Procedure for Drugs or Controlled Substances... 102 Policies and Procedures for the Operation of the L.E.A.D. Center... 114 Glossary... 137 Receipt and Statements of Compliance... 139 Policy on Cyberbullying and Consequences... 91 Date to Return the Receipt... 139 Corrected Names on Non Discrimination Policy... 140 2
RAPIDES PARISH SCHOOL BOARD PURPOSE The purpose of this booklet is to provide students and parents information regarding their rights and responsibilities in the Rapides Parish School System. Each student is responsible for complying with policies and procedures in this document. We are requesting that you become thoroughly familiar with its contents. Students and parents are to read and sign the last page of this document, indicating that they have received a copy of it and return it to their home school. Failure to return the receipt will result in an automatic suspension until the receipt is returned. DISCIPLINE POLICY OF THE RAPIDES PARISH SCHOOL BOARD INTRODUCTION One major objective of discipline is to teach and motivate students to develop self-discipline. Although the ultimate responsibility for student conduct rests with the student and his parent, discipline is a part of the daily responsibility of school personnel and not merely the action at times when a student may deviate from acceptable forms of conduct. The school has the responsibility to provide an educational environment for students to practice controlling their own behavior, to correct their own mistakes in behavior, and to see examples of responsible behavior by staff and other students. It should be clearly understood by the student, his parents and all school personnel that the purpose of all disciplinary action is to correct future behavior and to teach the student that education is a right qualified by compliance with reasonable rules and regulations. Discipline shall be administered in a uniform, consistent and non-discriminatory manner throughout the school system. School Resource Officers may be stationed in Rapides Parish Schools in cooperation with the Rapides Parish Sheriff s Office. This policy is designed to conform to R.S. 17:416. In the event of a policy conflict or omission, the statute controls. 3