Terrebonne Parish committee approves package of policy updates on employment, discipline, bullying, conduct and parent engagement

The Education Technology and Policy Committee approved a series of policy revisions across personnel, discipline and student-conduct files.

Doctor Deborah Yarbrough reported that policy F-2 (equal opportunity employment) and policy H-1 (equal educational opportunities) were edited to add "military status" to the list of protected characteristics. Both motions were approved without public opposition.

The committee approved a change to H-3.5 (discipline) to add language that prevents administrators from pressuring teachers to issue or amend discipline referrals. Mark Torban described the addition as parallel to existing grading protections and said he was surprised it was not already included.

The bullying and hazing policy (H-3) was revised to add definitions and language addressing AI-related incidents and false rumors, prompted by experiences in neighboring parishes. The superintendent noted the addition references a Louisiana statute (as read in the meeting) and staff emphasized an existing anonymous online reporting tool for students and families. Board members suggested a follow-up on academic honesty and AI usage in coursework.

Because bullying-policy changes affect student expectations, the student code of conduct was updated to reflect those policy edits. The committee also revised policy G-9.4 on parent and family engagement after consultation with the parent advisory committee: language shifts 'centers' to 'resources,' adds the district attorney’s office as a resource and encourages school-level parent-teacher clubs.

All motions for these policy items were moved, seconded and recorded as passed in the meeting transcript; no roll-call vote tallies were provided.