FILE:  AA

 

SCHOOL DISTRICT LEGAL STATUS

 

 

The Catahoula Parish School Board derives its legal status from the State Legislature, which is subject to the Constitutions of the State of Louisiana and the United States.  The Legislature has been granted authority for creation of school boards by Art. VIII, Section 9 of the Louisiana Constitution of 1974 which states:  "...The legislature shall create parish school boards and provide for the election of their members..."  School boards, in turn, have been empowered to create school districts or attendance areas of the parish as a whole or any part thereof.

 

The school district is under the exclusive control and management of the Catahoula Parish School Board, a body duly authorized by the Louisiana Legislature.  Consequently, the School Board is responsible for the general administration and supervision of the Parish schools and shall operate the school system in accordance with all applicable constitutional and statutory provisions.  Responsibility for interpreting these provisions shall lie with the School Board, except where formal interpretation of such provisions has been made by the courts or other constituted authority.

 

 

Ref:    U.S. Constitution, Amend. X

U.S. Constitution, Amend. XIV, Sec. 1

Constitution of Louisiana, Art. VIII, Sec. 9

La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§17:51, 17:1371, 17:1371.1, 17:1371.2, 17:1372, 17:1373, 17:1377, 17:1378

Hawthorne v. Jackson Parish School Board, 5 La. App. 508 (1927)

Wisconsin v. Yoder, 92 S.Ct. 1526 (1972)

Milliken v. Bradley, 94 S.Ct. 3112 (1974)

Dayton Board of Education v. Brinkman, 97 S.Ct. 2755 (1977)

 

Catahoula Parish School Board