At that time, the public system had no knowledge of the Catholic school s situation, Simmons said. However, Vandebilt officials relayed the information to him later that day. Simmons said the parent did not appear upset when he was informed that his child would not be able to enroll. I didn t make the law, but I tell them what it is. State law and state Department of Education policy, however, say school boards do have discretion to either allow or reject such students.
Drug offenses are among the reasons cited in the state law.
Woody Louviere, also a supervisor of student services for the Terrebonne public school system, has circulated a memo to principals, reminding them of the policy. The memo was to make certain they know to ascertain the reason the student left their school. If the offense is something that would have been punishable under our system, we don t accept them. When first approached about the issue Feb. 16, Terrebonne public schools Superintendent Liz Scurto said the memo did not say the students would be banned from entering the system. She did say the students would have to ask the School Board for permission to enroll.