Lewis and Paris committee adopts six policy updates on discipline, curriculum access and student technology

Lewis and Paris Public Schools Curriculum Policy Committee members approved six policy updates at a curriculum policy meeting, adopting changes to expulsion rules, instructional-materials access, student computer use, bullying and hazing training, school resource officer responsibilities and student attendance procedures, officials said. The changes aim to align district policy with recent state legislation and to clarify how parents and schools handle instructional materials, discipline and online safety. Policies discussed included school resource officer duties, Policy JDE on expulsion, a bullying and hazing policy (recorded as JCDAF in the meeting), Instructional Materials Policy IFA, Student Computer Access and Use Policy IFBGA and Student Absences and Excuses Policy JDB. Mr. Bruce, policies assistant superintendent for Lewis and Paris Public Schools, told committee members, "we just have 6 policies to go over in this first round. There will be more to follow." He said the session reflected legislative changes this year and that some earlier, larger rounds had included more items. On school resource officers, the committee reviewed language clarified by the legislature that defines an SRO's responsibilities during mandatory-reporting situations; committee members did not propose further local changes to that language at the meeting. Policy JDE (expulsion) was revised to change the minimum expulsion length for certain offenses. The draft removes a previously listed minimum of four semesters and replaces it with a two-complete-semester standard for students in grades 6–12 found guilty of possessing a firearm, a knife with a blade of 2.5 inches or longer, or a narcotic or other controlled substance, according to the materials presented. The bullying and hazing policy (recorded in the meeting as JCDAF) removes some employee training requirements, as shown in the draft posted for the committee's review. Instructional Materials Policy IFA now includes more detailed procedures for parental access. The district will distribute two forms to principals and instructional staff: a parental instructional-materials access request form and a procedures document describing options for review. Parents can request printed copies (a public-records request would be processed at $1 per page), make an appointment to review materials at a school, or view many materials through a student’s online login. Mr. Bruce noted some items — for example, certain tests and answer keys — will not be made available for review. Revisions to Student Computer Access and Use Policy IFBGA emphasize digital citizenship instruction and refer parents and community members to the district website’s threat-reporting link. Bruce said reports submitted through that link generate notifications to several central-office staff and to the sheriff’s office. The Student Absences and Excuses Policy JDB adds language stating that absent students, including those suspended, shall be allowed to submit missed assignments and tests and shall be eligible to receive the same academic credit and grades if the work is completed within a reasonable timeframe set by the schools. The committee heard that Forethought is preparing a second round of policy updates, which will include proposed language about cameras in some special education classrooms and several other policy changes; no final action on those items occurred at this meeting. Cecil Harris moved to accept the six policies as presented; Miss Cochran seconded. The chair called the vote and the motion carried. A subsequent motion to adjourn, moved by Mister Lake and seconded by Miss Cochran, also carried. The meeting record shows no public commenters and committee members indicated further policy rounds are forthcoming.