School Board members, employees may get in trouble for cursing

Vermilion Parish School Board members, along with students, teachers and administrators better pay attention to what curse words come out their mouths because they could be punished for them.

The School Board passed a new policy that states that there will be no cursing from those who work for the School Board, including School Board members.

The policy also states that no one can embarrass or put down another employee or student.
Before the new policy passed, there was discussion about what punishment could be given to a School Board member who cursed during a meeting.

A complaint would have to be filed against a School Board employee or board member who cursed. After the complaint is filed, School Board attorney Woody Woodruff said each case would be looked at individually.

School Board member Anthony Fontana said by law, nothing can be done to a school board member who says a curse word because he or she is an elected official.

School Board member from Gueydan Bill Searle did not want to hear Fontana’s explanation.
Searle said it did not make sense that the board members can punish a school employee for saying a curse word, but if a School Board member says a curse word, nothing can happen to him or her.

“What right do we have to curse in front of people?” Searle said.

Fontana said no punishment can be given to a school board member who curses.

Fontana said, “All you can do is vote and say, ‘shame on you.’”

School Board Member Charles Campbell said, “I will see to it that the new policy is enforced.”