Calcasieu Parish students will begin their holiday break on Monday, Dec. 19 and return to school on Tuesday, Jan. 3.

Initially, the break was scheduled to begin for students on Dec. 19, with students returning Monday, Jan. 2 with Dec. 19 being a teacher in-service day.

However, Jan. 2 is considered an official holiday, New Year’s Day Observed (Jan. 1 is on a Sunday), by the state of Louisiana, and high numbers of student and teacher absences are anticipated.

Mack Dellafosse, District 7, raised the idea of removing the inservice day on the 19th and creating an inservice day on Jan. 3, 2023, citing calls that he received suggesting the idea. However, upon discussion, it was decided that this option was not viable, as it would lead to another lost day of instruction.

A revision to CPSB’s Zero Tolerance Policy discipline and criminal policy was made. This change is the result of a collaborative effort between CPSB, the Fourteenth Judicial District Court and Family and Juvenile Court.

With these changes, sixth to 12th grade students that are first offenders of fighting will be provided support and intervention by the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury Multi-Agency Resource Center.

Previously, first offenders of fighting would be handled legally.

It is anticipated that this change will give at-risk students greater opportunity for rehabilitation and reduce long-term legal effects on students. A letter of support from the Fourteenth Judicial District Court signed by Judge Guy Bradberry, Judge W. Mitchell Redd and Judge Cynthia Clay Guillory stated, “We actively support the Calcasieu Parish School Board and recommended changes of the current Zero Tolerance Policy to provide support and intervention before moving directly to punitive measures with the legal system, on the first offense of fighting.”

“We feel these changes will increase support for anger management and conflict resolution, eliminate 18-year-old students from having a permanent record for fighting at school, along with drastically reducing the amount of paperwork.”

The new Zero Tolerance Policy states that first offenders of fighting and their families will be referred to the MARC center by their school. There, they will participate in a screening process to identify any treatable needs, such as substance abuse.

The board also voted to approve an addendum to the 2022-2023 Pupil Progression Plan. The addendum will lead to additional literacy support for third and fourth grade students.

This change stems from new literacy support standards released by the Louisiana Department of Education. Statewide, any third or fourth grade student that scored below their reading level on their end-of-the-year LDOE approved assessment is required to receive a minimum of 30 hours of specialized literacy instruction.

The instruction will take place during June of 2023, as per LDOE requirements. Participating students will not be charged tuition or fees for the additional instruction.

Bliss Bujard, District 11 Representative, was not present for the meeting.