Board reviews broad student handbook revisions as state law changes tighten discipline on THC

The Natchitoches Parish School Board spent the bulk of its meeting reviewing proposed edits to the student code of conduct handbook that officials say reflect recent state law changes and district priorities.

Miss Ingram led the presentation, noting that blue text in the draft indicates additions and yellow indicates deletions. She said the updates include procedural clarifications (for example, changing language from “parish” to “district” for first-time registration) and more precise definitions for tardiness, truancy and attendance consequences. The handbook draft now notes specific consequences after 11 unexcused absences and distinguishes being late to school from being tardy to class.

Board members and staff discussed disciplinary policy changes intended to reduce expulsions in favor of alternative placement except where state law mandates expulsion. The draft also revises corporal-punishment language to explicitly say punitive exercise may be included, and adjusts timelines for alternate-placement reviews previously tied to semester length.

A major policy change highlighted in the meeting is the district’s response to Act 497, the state law that modifies disciplinary approaches to THC and THC-derived products. Miss Ingram said the handbook language aligns with Act 497 by recommending a 90-day placement recommendation on a first offense for possession or use of THC products and related paraphernalia; the updated draft replaces the older two-semester baseline. Board members asked for legal guidance about implementation details — for example, how medically prescribed cannabinoids administered at school would be handled and how nurses would manage regulated medications.

The draft also tightens rules around devices: principals proposed a telephone/cell-phone policy that begins with verbal warnings and allows seizure of devices until the end of the school day, with parents required to retrieve devices for repeat offenses. Dress-code edits add a simple spirit-shirt structure and relax undershirt color restrictions at some schools; jacket confiscation is prohibited during extreme weather. The draft includes updated bullying definitions and new language treating district iPads similarly to textbooks for damage and replacement costs.

Board members requested additional redline comparisons and a clearer published version before a final vote. Miss Ingram said some details will move to the principals’ discipline handbook rather than the public student handbook and that the board will revisit remaining questions at the next meeting.