We are deeply concerned and troubled about what our staff and administration have observed and reported in relation to student behavior at Valley Park Alternative Center.  We are in the midst of a thorough examination of procedures to remove problem students from the campus.

The situation at Valley Park involves a small number of students who have willfully chosen to disrupt the classroom and school bus environment.  We do not believe this isolated group of students is representative of all students who attend Valley Park Alternative Center.

Valley Park is a last resort for students who have not followed the guidelines listed for school behavior in the EBR Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook. We applaud the staff, faculty and administrators who work tirelessly to give these students a second chance for an education.  The East Baton Rouge Parish School System is among only a few districts in the State of Louisiana which offers this opportunity to expelled students

We assure staff, faculty, administrators, students and parents that we take their concerns seriously and want to hear from them about any problems they are experiencing.  We will continue to work with Valley Park staff to improve the teaching and learning environment. Here are some of the steps we have already taken on this matter:

•The students involved in a fight on the Valley  Park school bus have been expelled in accordance   with school board policy.

•Federal guidelines for disciplining special needs students are being re-evaluated and extra staff has been stationed at Valley Park to assist administrators in   completing the necessary paperwork for this process. 

•The Superintendent is in the midst of ongoing meetings with staff at Valley Park and the Central Office on development of an action plan to address security, discipline problems and increased parental involvement.

The school district is working closely with the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Department to outline a plan for additional security within the confines of the law.  We appreciate the efforts of the School Resources Officers who work in schools across the district and help to maintain a safe and orderly educational environment.