Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Policy Roundup topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee approves suite of policy updates on records fees, uniforms, personnel and instructional materials
Summary
The committee approved a package of policy updates: a public-records fee schedule, optional plaid in the dress code for grades 6–12, personnel policy updates referencing four-day work-week statutes, instructional/extracurricular policies clarifying parental review of materials and homework guidance, and student-policy updates; public commenters raised concerns about fees, notice, and ability to review large packets.
The City of Bogalusa School District policy committee approved several policy updates in a single session, adopting changes that cover public records fees, dress code options, personnel rules, instructional-material access and homework guidance, and student-services procedures.
Public records fee schedule (Policy 308-00): Dr. Hurst said the district will add a fee schedule to Policy 308 to cover staff time spent fulfilling public-records requests. Key elements presented include per-page charges for paper or electronic copies, prepayment requested before copies are made, a waiver for requests of five pages or fewer that can be fulfilled within an ordinary business day, and a requirement that very large requests (more than 100 pages) be provided via a district-provided mobile storage device (the district would charge for the device and per-page copies). Public commenter Jerri McCauley asked whether fees would be charged for people viewing documents and copying them with their own equipment; the board did not adopt a separate exception for self-copied viewing beyond the stated waiver language. The policy was approved by roll-call vote (votes recorded as 'Yes' from Dr. Cook, Ms. Mitchell and Ms. Brown).
Dress code revision (optional plaid): The committee approved adding plaid skirts and pants as an optional uniform choice for grades 6–12. Presenters said the change was developed by a committee including students, parents and employees and emphasized the option is not mandatory. A public commenter asked whether parents and students had been surveyed and expressed concern about added costs; the board said the option is voluntary and posted sample information on the district website and social media.
Personnel policies (Section 700, including Policy 706): Ms. Harry presented updates to the personnel section and said policy 706 will reference Louisiana statutory language that governs the district's four-day school week, with links to the statutes so future statutory updates will be reflected without repeated edits. The committee moved and passed the personnel package after public comment calling for clearer public access to agenda materials.
Instructional and extracurricular policies (Section 800): Presenters reviewed Policy 803.10 on parental rights to review instructional materials and Policy 805 on homework. The committee said parents may view materials in person without a fee and may access instructional materials online without a fee; if parents request copies, customary fees could apply but parents may photograph materials with their own phones while on premises. On homework, the update emphasizes that assignments should reinforce classroom learning, require little or no parent assistance, and are not intended as punishment; the policy does not set a hard minute limit.
Student policy (Section 900): The committee received and approved Section 900, covering student services and special-population protocols; Miss Jefferson and Mrs. Warner were named as contributors, and the committee said questions directed to those sections would be forwarded since Miss Jefferson was not present.
Each item was voted on separately by roll call and recorded as approved.
