St. Tammany News

Ethics reform, a new "Extreme Heat and Hydration Policy" and the extension of grade levels at the alternative school, Operation Jumpstart, were all discussed at the committee as a whole meeting of the St. Tammany Parish School Board Thursday night.

In the consideration of a proactive "Extreme heat and hydration policy," St. Tammany Parish School Superintendent Gayle Sloan said, "Once again, we are taking the lead in the state to get something started for our kids." Excessive heat last August and the possible effects on athletes, marching band members, cheerleaders, dance team members and junior ROTC members caused the School Board to take proactive steps to set a policy to prevent dehydration and other heat-related effects.

It is the first such policy in the state.

Defining the stages of heat index measurements and setting guidelines for modifications of practices to prevent exertional heat illness was developed by a group of parents, principals and medical personnel, including Dr. Aaron Karlin, pediatrician and sports medicine specialist. The levels are divided by "flag" situations that will determine the measures that need to be taken. The worse case scenario, or black flag, would be raised when the heat index rises above 110 degrees. School system Athletic Director Larry Favre said this condition existed nine days last August, an unusually extensive heat wave.

In addition to principals and trainers taking measurements on practice fields, all participants of affected groups will be required to have a physical by a physician prior to beginning activities with the groups. These will be kept on file and will help in the event of an emergency as well as determining who may be at greater risk due to overexertion and heat. The committee unanimously voted to adopt the new policy and pass it to the board for final vote.

The addition, grades K-5 will be added to the Operation Jumpstart alternative school for students that have been expelled from the school system. School board member Ray Alford expressed concern with the arrangement, saying he felt it was not age appropriate to include the youngest children in the system with high school students.

Sloan said the school system will continue to offer other options to students, including home or hospital-based studies or moving the child to a different campus. However, the system is now required to offer the classroom alternative to these grades because waivers are no longer being given by the state as they had in the past. Currently, there are no students that have been expelled in kindergarten, but the alternative must be in place "just in case."

Alford's was the sole "nay" vote in considering the plan.

Neal Hennegan, president of the St Tammany Parish School Board, announced that all school boards are considered a "Level Two" body under the new ethics reform. Each member of the board and their family will need to disclose all finances, including investment income and their sources. In addition, these disclosures will be displayed on a publicly accessible Web site.