Vermilion School Board adopts stricter rules on bus

Attention public school parents, the School Board is not taking any mercy on the age of the child, who commits a minor violation on a school bus.
In the past, students in the middle school and high school all had the same punishment when it came to breaking a rule on a school bus.
Students in the elementary grades who violated a rule were handled differently because of their age. In the past, some school board members felt giving a 7-year-old the same punishment of a 15-year-old was too harsh.
No longer.
Now elementary children are lumped in with middle school or high school students.
“We are treating elementary students like we are treating high school students?” said School Board member Luddy Herpin? “Elementary students do not know any better. They are young. I do not like the idea of treating everyone the same.”
Brad Prudhomme, of the School Board office, informed board members that there were two different policies for bus drivers to follow when it came down to students violating the rules on the bus.
Prudhomme said the elementary rules were more lenient than the high school and middle school students.
“Now we have a mirror, which means they all have the same consequences,” said Prudhomme. “This will go for everyone.”
For first offense - written warning and parent called by bus driver.
For second offense - move student to the front seat of the bus or an assigned seat for a minimum of two weeks.
For third offense - three day bus suspension.
For the fourth offense - five day bus suspension and school administration/bus driver meeting with the parent.
For the fifth offense - suspended off of the bus for the remainder of the school year.
Harold Duhon, a retired bus driver for the school board, addressed the board and wanted to know why the student is given five chances.
“Why so many chances? he asked. “With all of the problems we have on the road, and we have to worry about these kids who are not being disciplined.”
School Board President Chris Gautreaux said by adding elementary students, it will make it simple for all principals to enforce the rules.
“This is a lot better than what we had, because before we did not have anything,” said Gautreaux.