New Vape Law Could Overcrowd School’s Suspension Area
In Friday’s edition we reported on several items discussed at last Monday’s La Grange School board meeting. Here’s more: Administrative Reports Superintendent Andy McHazlett reported the current enrollment stands at 1,915 students with an average daily attendance of 1,824.79. There are currently 987 students at the elementary campus, 315 at the middle school, and 613 at the high school.
McHazlett gave an update on HB 114, otherwise known as the vape law. The law state that any student found in possession of a vape, or any piece of a vape, within 300 feet of the school will automatically be placed in a disciplinary alternative education program (DAEP). This is a change from previous years in which a vape that did not contain THC would only result in ISS placement. There are already three students who have been placed in DAEP since school started. This is being done in an effort to cut down on vape use. There are vape detectors on all the campuses to help deter this behavior. One of the concerns with this law is the possibility of overcrowding the DAEP facility. Not only is this facility for LGISD, but it is the county DAEP facility, so any students from any of the county schools who are found in possession of a vape product will be sent to La Grange’s DAEP. This could result in increased staffing for the facility. It is up to the individual district as to how long the student will be in DAEP. Currently, LGISD is looking at 30 days with a 20 day review on cases of a vape with no THC.
Assistant Superintendent Stacy Eilers reported that the eight days of before-school in-service were successful. There was an open house at each campus and each were very well attended.
Director of Operations Sharon Muzny reported that they are working the kinks out of the bus routes and that there are two special education bus routes and 13 regular routes.
MicroPurchase Threshold Certification The board approved the recertification of the Micro-Purchase Threshold. The MicroPurchase Threshold allows the superintendent to make budgeted purchases of goods and services costing less than $50,000 without board approval. Any purchase of $50,000 or more must be approved before proceeding with the purchase.
Residential Contract with Bayes Center
A student in LGISD had escalated behaviors and safety concerns to the point that the ARD committee determined that free and appropriate public education (FAPE) could not be met at LGISD. The student will be at the Bayes Achievement Center, which is a residential facility, until the goals of the student and the district have been met.
The board approved a contract between Bayes Achievement Center and LGISD for the time period of 8/1/23 to 7/31/24. The cost for this is $256,420.34. LGISD is projected to receive $179,166 in high cost funds to help offset this. The district had set aside $77,254 for this, however the district cost is expected to be $82,000.