St. Mary School Board issues public notice on absences

The St. Mary Parish School Board will implement a new policy regarding student attendance during the 2008-2009 school year.

Also, the School Board will continue a small $20 stipend for parents to assist with school supplies.

St. Mary School Superintendent Donald Aguillard said elementary and junior high schools students will have to attend 160 days of school in order to receive full credit for classes.

Also, high school students will have to attend 81 days of school for full credit classes, and 40 days of school for half-credit classes.

Previously, all students from elementary through high school were allowed to miss 20 days of class per year. With the new revision, Aguillard said the maximum number of allowed absences is 14 days for elementary and junior high school students, and seven days for high school students.

Aguillard said the School Board will also implement a policy regarding student threats, harassment, intimidating and bullying, called, “cyber-bullying/electronic communication” on the internet. “We’re taking a zero tolerance policy,” he said. Violators could be thrown out of school.

On another matter, the School Board agreed to continue its practice from last year, of giving $20 to each student system wide, for the purchase of school supplies. The move will cost the Board and taxpayers $200,000.

However, the money is given to each school, who are asked to provide parents with a detailed accounting of school supplies or fees that have been offset by the $20 stipend.

In elementary schools, the stipends allow principals to provide students with crayons, glue and other supplies.

Middle and high schools utilize the allocation to help defray all or a portion of school fees for such items as identification cards, locker rentals or yearly planners.

“The St. Mary Parish School Board is keenly aware of the importance of equipping all students with the tools necessary for academic success, and the addition of a school supply fund is just one contribution in that endeavor,” Aguillard said.