School fighting under scrutiny

Henri C. Bienvenu

School board members last week approved a program that would help some students involved in fights at school avoid suspension and possible law enforcement citations.

The board will institute a “juvenile fight diversion” program that would allow first-offense violators to attend a one-day program on the parish’s JCEP campus.

Cost of the program will be partially covered with funds received earlier this year from the Louisiana Office of Mental Health through a $743,600 “Kids in Crisis” grant. The program’s name has since been changed to “Kids in Care.” In addition, families who agree to participate in the voluntary program will be asked to pay a $25 fee, which Supt. Richard Lavergne points out is far below the cost of a citation and court.

Lavergne said his staff developed the program after consulting with Sheriff Ronny Theriot, D.A. Phil Haney and District Judge Lori Landry.

Lavergne stressed that the option would only be offered to first time offenders where the student has admitted his/her involvement in the incident and the parent/guardian is willing to cooperate in the program. The fight must not have involved a weapon, a group of students or resulted in severe bodily harm.

The program will be offered twice a month at the JCEP campus in St. Martinville. The full-day program will include a one-hour family component at the end of the day which must be attended by a parent/guardian. Sessions will target violence prevention, anger management skills, self leadership skills, drug and alcohol education and the encouragement of self motivation.

The student will be provided bus transportation to the JCEP campus in the morning and then may accompany their parent/guardian home at the end of the session.