The Evangeline Parish School Board’s policy committee met on Tuesday to discuss policy changes for 2018.
During the meeting, School Superintendent Darwan Lazard recommended that the board consider making it mandatory for all students in Evangeline Parish to use clear backpacks. Lazard stated that these backpacks could be “constructed of clear plastic or mesh material.”
The policy change, Lazard said, is being recommended “in an effort to encourage safety.”
Policy committee members expressed concern about availability of these specific types of backpacks at local stores. However, the superintendent shared his plan to address this concern.
Lazard said, “My plan is to get with local vendors and talk to them about having these book bags available to our students.”
Implementing Physical Education uniforms that would be the same for all high schools in Evangeline Parish was another topic of discussion during the policy committee meeting.
According to the superintendent, the uniform, which was suggested to Lazard by the board’s president, Wayne Dardeau, would be a light gray t-shirt and light gray shorts.
If this policy is approved by the full board then parents would be able to purchase uniforms at their child’s school or from whoever is chosen to screen print the uniforms.
The superintendent also shared that exceptions will be made for students who are unable to dress-out for P.E. due to religious or medical reasons if an excuse is provided to the school.
During the policy committee meeting, Lazard also informed the committee members that the school board will now have a say in property tax exemptions for businesses.
However, Lazard said, “Before property tax exemptions can be considered by the school board, the board must create criteria under which an exemption would be approved, and then adopt a resolution drawn up by the board.”
The superintendent went on to say that “if a business wants a tax exemption, you could have a say so and make stipulations to them. You could even say no.” Previously, the parish governing body made decisions on property tax exemptions for businesses.
Once the school board has created this policy, the resolution will be forwarded to the governor and the Board of Commerce and Industry.
Image
ELIZABETH WEST