Evangeline Parish School Board updates immunization policies during meeting Wednesday

The Evangeline Parish School Board updated policies and discussed the role of text books during two separate meetings Wednesday.
Before the regular meeting, the board held a special meeting where they were updated on policy changes by assistant superintendent Mike Lombas. Some of the changes were minor wording, but others had more significant changes. Among them is the immunization policy. In the old policy, students had to be immunized before entering school for the first time and upon entering sixth grade. The part about “sixth grade” was changed to “any other time” as required by the state, to present satisfactory evidence of immunity to or immunization against vaccine-preventable diseases. Exceptions to the compliance may apply because of a shortage to the supply of a vaccine. The other exception is if the student or their parent or guardian submits either a written statement from a physician stating that this procedure is contraindicated for medical reasons, or a written dissent from the student or his/her parents. However, the DPT (Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus) vaccine is required for Evangeline Parish schools. Some parents are choosing to opt out of certain vaccines, such as the measles vaccine. If there is a measles outbreak at a school, unvaccinated children will be pulled out of school until the outbreak is over.
Also changed is an issue with student behavioral health services. Board member Scott Limoges explained: “An organization that wasn’t certified would see students on campuses during school time and pulling them out of class when they were not really authorized to provide those services. They have to meet certain criteria now, and this is addressing all of that. Before they step foot on a campus, they have to have permission, so the principal will know that provider is allowed on campus.”
Other changes were made concerning expense reimbursement for employees. In the past, the procedure was to not charge for miles in town, which is in a five mile radius. This is now a policy, instead of just a procedure.
Another policy concerns economic hardship waivers for fees being charged. Examples of economic hardship include if the child is in foster care, homeless, or the parent is in the military, emancipated minors, children receiving reduced price meals in school, families receiving public assistance, etc. Lombas said the current list of who is available for fee waivers is flexible, in that the board may use the example list provided, take away from it, or add to the list. Once the board adopts it as a policy, it must be enforced. These fees do not apply to extracurricular activities. The fees would be for students’ school supplies and other school fees.
Superintendent Darwan Lazard said the state felt there were too many fees being charged by schools across the state. He said he wished the state would take each district separately, because some districts charge fees where others do not. For instance, some schools charge lab fees, but Evangeline Parish does not. “Other than a minimal supply list for the whole year, everything else is no cost to the families,” Lazard said. “We provide those things for them, but that’s not the case for every school district in Louisiana.”
Limoges said there is a program for homeless students that pays the fees for the students. The board tabled the discussion until they could gather further information and decide what qualifications to include on the list for students to waive fees.
In the regular meeting, the board heard from Anita West, district curriculum and operational facilitator, and Kenneth Kidder, teacher at Basile High, who informed the board about the text book situation discussed at the previous September meeting.
In the meeting held earlier in the month, there was concern about not having enough biology text books for students. Multiple attempts were made to order more books, but those attempts were unsuccessful.
West said she has been putting together other material which includes online resources for students. She and Kidder told the board today’s students are no long taught to read books and memorize facts. Today, students learn through class participation and cross curricula with other subjects, and they learn through online resources. They said the book is considered supplemental with West adding, “The book does not drive our curriculum anymore.”
School board president Wayne Dardeau asked to not overwork the teachers. Lazard said there has been a tremendous transition with education in Louisiana. He said the district provides resources to help the teachers. He wants to make sure the students as well as the teachers and staff have the support they need.