Policy committee approves a package of Ouachita Parish school policy updates, including emergency mapping and DCFS registry compliance
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Summary
Committee approved multiple policy changes covering emergency‑management mapping, surplus device buybacks with data‑erasure requirements, federal purchasing compliance, engineering selection rules, DCFS registry employment limits, behavioral‑health screening options, and a recommendation to prohibit campaign signs in gyms/fields despite state law.
The Ouachita Parish policy committee approved a slate of policy revisions that it will forward to the full school board for final action. The package included revisions tied to recent state and federal requirements and several district choices the committee said aim to balance legal compliance, student safety and operational practicality.
Among the items the committee approved were:
- JDA (corporal punishment): clarified language to remove physical restraint from the definition of corporal punishment and to show the policy language reflects Louisiana state statute; the committee said this update originated from a request by Rep. McCoy.
- JDE (expulsion): clarified that possession of marijuana and related derivatives is not an automatic expulsion on first offense; automatic expulsion is triggered only on the second or subsequent offense under the policy.
- EBBC (emergency/crisis management): adopted requirements for mapping, blueprints and aerial imagery to be shared with local law enforcement and public safety partners; members discussed compatibility of mapping software and potential costs.
- DFK (sale of surplus equipment): authorized participation in a student device buyback program provided that all student, district and employee data are securely erased before transfer; the committee asked staff to confirm whether vendor documentation can demonstrate secure erasure consistent with law.
- DJE (purchasing): adopted FEMA‑sourced language prohibiting contracts with companies suspended or debarred in federal award systems when federal‑assisted funds are in play; responsibility for verification assigned to the superintendent or director of finance.
- FEA (architectural/engineering selection): affirmed selection of A/E services should be based on competence and qualifications (Act 180) and not solely on price when state/local funds are used.
- GBC/GBN/GBRA (DCFS registry): aligned district hiring and termination procedures with Act 409, noting the district currently requires employees to report arrests within 24 hours (stricter than the law); policies prohibit hiring individuals listed on the DCFS registry as of 08/01/2018 and require termination of employees added to the registry on or after 08/01/2025.
- JGCF (behavioral health supports): updated policy to reflect that mental‑health screenings are required for grades 3–12 per law and that the board may, subject to approval and funding, offer screenings for kindergarten–2nd grade; the committee discussed parental consent logistics and who would make implementation decisions.
- KIB (advertising in schools): in response to Act 89, the committee recommended including a caveat in policy that, "while this is allowed under Louisiana statute, the Ouachita Parish School Board does not allow campaign signs to be erected in gymnasiums or on athletic fields." Members said the board still has discretion to permit or deny ad placements and noted concerns about enforcement, broadcast ad space and maintaining separation between school events and political campaigning.
Most motions were approved without recorded opposition during the committee meeting. Several members agreed to follow up with legal counsel and staff (IT, finance and principals) on implementation details such as data‑erasure documentation, mapping costs, and parental consent procedures. The chair said the committee would reconvene in February to place the approved policies on the board agenda.
What happens next: staff will prepare final policy language and supporting materials for the Ouachita Parish School Board meeting in February; committee members requested legal review on statutory wording where applicable.