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Schools report successful lockdown drills, Evolve weapons-detection rollout at Chalmette High and skirt-length dress-code reinstatement
Summary
District officials reported that lockdown drills aligned with cited statutes went well, the Evolve weapons-detection system was implemented at Chalmette High with positive feedback from students and parents, and the district reinstated a minimum skirt length aligned with uniform policy enforcement.
District administrators reported on safety, dress code and weapons-detection measures during the school reports section of the meeting.
The district said it continues to implement emergency preparedness measures "in alignment with RISE statute 17 4 1 6.16," updating crisis plans with guidance from the LSU Stevenson Institute and training staff on the emergency operations plan within the first 30 days. Each campus conducted a lockdown drill with at least one representative from the sheriff's department present; administrators documented a few minor issues such as unlocked empty classrooms and faint student noise, which they said were addressed and will be monitored.
Officials also described the recent rollout of the Evolve weapons-detection system at Chalmette High School. School principal Roberto Becerra (introduced at the meeting) told the board the system was implemented shortly before the school year and that administrators adjusted entry flow after initial slowdowns. "The first day was a little bit slow... but we have kind of tweaked things out on both sides," Becerra said, adding that students and parents have given positive feedback and that some students said they "feel even safer" with the system in place. The district used the system at football scrimmages and the first game and noted the clear-bag policy reduced congestion. Staff said technicians tweaked parameter settings to reduce false positives from common items (binders, etc.) and to speed throughput so students arrive in class with limited delay.
On dress code, the district reinstated a requirement that skirts reach the knee. Administrators reported the change generated initial concern but that implementation has been consistent; when a student's skirt is too short a letter is sent to the guardian and parents are given time to correct the issue. Uniform shops and parents were notified in the spring and many students are choosing to wear pants rather than skirts.
These items were presented as informational reports; no committee action was taken.
