LIVINGSTON, La. — The Livingston Parish School Board reviewed revisions to several policies governing student discipline and safety and agreed to collect the Town of Killian’s new 1% sales tax during its Sept. 17 meeting.
The board began with an overview of the most recent meeting of its Curriculum Policy Committee, during which members reviewed and approved policies regarding expulsion, child abuse, discipline, cameras in special education classrooms, education of students with exceptionalities, general leaves of absence, and suspension.
The revisions to the policies include the following:
The policy regarding the education of students with exceptionalities shifts the burden of proof concerning a student’s program, placement, or change in placement from the parent to the school system.
The discipline policy states that no principal or administrator may prohibit, discourage, or retaliate against a teacher or school employee for taking disciplinary action or requesting that disciplinary action be taken against a student, as long as the action complies with school board policy.
The expulsion policy adds details about the rights of teachers and the responsibilities of the school system when a student is convicted in court of assault or battery on a school employee. The policy also clarifies that the student cannot be placed back at the school where the assault occurred as long as the employee continues to work there.
The suspension policy clarifies that a student who assaults a teacher or other school employee off campus because of that person’s employment with the school system can face the same level of discipline as if the assault had occurred on school property.
The child abuse policy clarifies that school employees who are mandatory reporters are subject to all provisions of state law concerning mandatory reporting, training, and reporting requirements under the student code. The policy regarding cameras in special education classrooms mandates that the superintendent and a designee, or two designees of the superintendent, be present during the initial viewing of a recording after a request is made to review the footage.
Dr. Richard Baker with the Louisiana Federation of Teachers & School Employees addressed the board, noting, “we support this board’s responsibility to provide for the safety of students, employees, and the community by reporting criminal activity immediately… we thank you for helping to create safe learning environments and experiences that are humane, just, and designed to promote excellence."
The board then heard a request to enter into a cooperative endeavor agreement, or CEA, with the Town of Killian, authorizing the school board to collect the town’s newly approved sales tax.
The 1% sales tax will bring Killian’s local sales tax rate to 5%. According to the town’s website, the funds will be “allocated as follows: 50% to public safety and disaster management; 25% to maintenance and improvement of infrastructure, roads and drainage; 10% to beautification and parks; and 15% to other legal purposes of the Town.”
The tax is authorized for a 10-year term and takes effect Oct. 1.
The tax had already been approved in Killian. The CEA simply “establishes the authority and responsibilities of [LPSB’s] office as the collector and provides for the standard 3% collection fee associated with these services,” the school board’s substitute sales tax director explained.
“It was difficult and a lot of work [to get this passed],” President Stephen Link noted, to which the director answered that “Killian’s ready for some change.”
The board unanimously approved entering into the CEA.
The board then heard a request for a change order for the South Fork Junior High School project.
While the project is “basically complete”, the school needs several additional dumpster pads, an enclosure, and an exterior storage facility. The change order adds $79,000 to the project, which has a total cost of $21,456,850.41 and remains under its original budget.
The board unanimously approved the change order.
The second request concerned a change order for the Denham Springs High School parking lot.
Unforeseen conditions were discovered after excavation began, including abandoned drain lines that must be removed and unsuitable soil conditions. The change order totals $96,050 and adds 12 calendar days to the project’s anticipated completion date.
The board unanimously approved the change order and adjourned the meeting.
