School Board Reviews Discipline Policy on Deliberate Acts of Violence

A significant policy shift regarding student discipline was discussed at the Beauregard Parish Board Meeting on March 13, 2025, focusing on the handling of deliberate acts of violence in schools. The board proposed a change to the student handbook that would redefine the consequences for serious offenses, particularly those involving physical harm, such as stabbing.

Currently, the policy states that students involved in such acts face a three-day suspension. The proposed amendment seeks to extend this to an indefinite suspension pending a hearing with the superintendent or their designee, allowing for a more thorough evaluation of each incident. This change comes in response to a troubling incident from the previous year, where a student was stabbed with a pencil, highlighting the need for clearer guidelines on severe acts of aggression.

Board members expressed concerns about differentiating between various types of violence, such as fighting and deliberate acts intended to cause injury. One member emphasized the importance of not creating a zero-tolerance policy that could lead to automatic expulsions for fights, which could be less severe than deliberate attacks. The discussion underscored the need for a nuanced approach to discipline that considers the intent behind actions.

The board aims to clarify the language in the handbook to ensure that serious offenses are treated appropriately while still allowing for discretion in less severe cases. The anticipated outcome of these changes is to foster a safer school environment by holding students accountable for their actions while also providing a fair process for those involved. The board plans to finalize the revisions in the coming weeks, with the hope of implementing the new policy promptly.