Runoff elections will be held on December 10 in three of the nine Washington Parish School Board districts.
But it is in District 1, the Mount Hermon area, where the runoff election seems to be attracting the most attention.
Longtime School Board member Dan Slocum is retiring from the District 1 seat, and three candidates ran in the primary on November 8. Of those three, Keith Giles and Justin Brown moved forward to the December 10 runoff.
The runoff has been contentious. Brown has accused Giles of spreading unfounded rumors.
Giles admits that he has said Brown wants to fire Mount Hermon School Principal Lee Bond. But he said it is just a rumor he heard and he doesn’t know if it is true.
Brown said it is an outright lie. “In fact, it is a lie that is being intentionally spread,” he said. Brown said he totally supports Mrs Bond. “The administration at Mount Hermon School has done an amazing job. It is one of the best schools in the parish.”
John Wyble, president of the Washington Parish School Board, said the spreading of the rumor is worrisome. “Board members don’t hire or fire principals or any other school personnel. They only hire a superintendent of schools.”
Wyble said it is highly irresponsible for Giles to be spreading the rumor about firing Mrs Bond.
Another rumor that has been spread widely in the Mount Hermon community is that Brown is in favor of closing Mount Hermon School. Several citizens residing in the Mount Hermon area have told The Era-Leader that they have heard the rumor attributed to Giles.
Brown denied it in strong language: “This is a complete falsehood which has been generated to influence the election. I have never stated this nor do I intend to ever close Mt. Hermon School.”
Giles did not deny that he has spoken about the closing of Mount Hermon School. He said that Parish School Superintendent Frances Varnado came to Mount Hermon School three years ago “to see about closing it.”
But Mrs. Varnado disputed that, saying that closing Mount Hermon School has never been considered.
She said that when COVID made it difficult to find certified teachers, there were rumors going around that the school might be closed. She said she personally went to Mount Hermon School and held a meeting with the staff to assure them that the school wasn’t closing.
Wyble, the School Board President, agreed that the subject of closing Mount Hermon School has not been considered by the school system. “It’s a very irresponsible rumor that is being spread,” he said.
Brown noted that another rumor being spread claims that he will pass a tax on Mount Hermon residents and then use the money to fund schools in Franklinton.
He said this rumor is absurd. “School Board members can’t pass a millage. Voters must vote in order to fund schools.”
Keith Giles said he is concerned about the direction of the schools. He said gender neutral bathrooms are coming to schools, and educators are “endoctrinating kids, not teaching them.”
Giles is a U.S. Army veteran, having served for 22 years. He is married to Ali Triche Giles, who has taught in the parish schools.
He said he has been a substitute teacher for 14 years and he said he has lived in Mount Hermon for 20 years. “District 1 will be the district I represent,” he said.
Justin Brown pointed out that he is the only candidate in the election who graduated from the Washington Parish Public School System.
“My wife graduated from Mt. Hermon School as well as many of her siblings. My wife's mother and sister both taught at MHS. Additionally, I am the only candidate who currently has children in the Washington Parish Public Schools.”
Brown added, “The ability to represent a district in its entirety requires someone who has the experience, education and leadership skills necessary to advocate for their constituents as well as the knowledge and understanding to know we are part of a larger school system. I will be a voice for Mt. Hermon as well as all the other schools, teachers and support staff in our parish.”
Early voting for the December 10 election begins Saturday (November 26) and will continue through December 3, with the exception of Sunday, November 27.
In addition to District 1, runoff elections will also be held in School Board District 7 and District 8.
