By David Vitrano

L’Observateur

LUTCHER – St. James High School has finally gotten its own athletic trainer as the St. James Parish School Board approved the hire of Tommy Blanchard at its meeting Tuesday.

According to Administrative Director of Human Resources Carol Webre, the trainer will be employed on a half-time basis as he is not taking on a teaching position as well. Blanchard will cover athletics practices and be present at all games.

Although his hire was not actually approved by the school board until Tuesday, Blanchard began working at the school Sept. 6.

A number of new policies that will be up for vote at the next regular board meeting Sept. 27 were introduced Tuesday.

The six policies are mostly revisions to already-existing policies. The revisions were made to keep the district in compliance with recent state legislation. The revised policies deal with executive sessions, school board ethics, employment of retired personnel, interscholastic athletics and compulsory school attendance ages.

The only new policy regards the assessment of children entering kindergarten for the first time. It states all new kindergarten students will be given “a valid and reliable readiness assessment.”

Also introduced for review was an addendum to the 2011-12 salary schedule. The changes include: a long-term rate change for cafeteria technician substitute pay to put it in line with minimum wage; the addition of assistant high school band director supplemental pay; and a change in the salary schedule of licensed practical nurses to make the hourly rate competitive with neighboring districts and institutions. The change in the salary schedule for LPNs was made because the district has recently lost a number of LPNs.

Finally, the board approved the 2011-12 Pupil Progression Plan.

The plan can be viewed on the district’s website at stjames. k12.la.us.