The Washington Parish School Board held its final meeting of the school year last Thursday. Following the invocation and Pledge of Allegiance, the board tackled a lengthy agenda.
The meeting began with presentations of outstanding students from Franklinton High School's JAG (Jobs for America's Graduates) program who recently sent two teams to the National JAG Conference in Orlando, Florida. One team placed 10th nationally. Next Mt. Hermon High School's state track bronze medalist and the state winners of the Young Author's Writing Contest were recognized. The final student presentation featured the Youth Coalition, led by Program Director Regina Meyerchick, who highlighted the events they hosted and participated in during the past school year. (See photos below.)
The board then heard from Greg Gibson, founder and director of Gibson Consulting Group in Austin, Texas. Mr. Gibson explained that his organization was contracted in November 2021 to conduct an efficiency study focusing primarily on administration and operational areas to determine any areas needing change for the system to work at optimal levels. No instructional practices by teachers were studied.
Mr. Gibson led a slide presentation that highlighted areas where change would benefit the system. He revealed 17 recommendations that included utilizing technology over manual, paper intensive procedures; implementing organizational charts based on a logical alignment of functions and positions; upgrading departmental leadership job descriptions; auditing computer inventory; applying industry standards to determine custodial staff needs and scheduling as well as food service staffing requirements; and transitioning to central management of transportation using only WPSB employees and buses.
Mr. Gibson did note that he is not suggesting immediate action, and most recommendations can be attained through attrition. He also noted that making changes addressing the 17 recommendations could potentially save the system up to one million dollars per year.
Next on the agenda was Director of Business Office Dana Knight who had previously presented the March 2023 financial statements and was available for any questions. She also explained that the millage rates for this year would remain the same and the Board adopted the rates. Finally, she discussed a motion to change the rate paid to drivers of district-owned buses for extra-curricular overnight bus trips. Mrs. Knight discussed several scenarios that demonstrated that teachers who drive on such trips are not on a level playing field with a bus driver using his or her own bus. District 4 Board member Kendall McKenzie felt he needed more information on this item as did several other board members. Thus, the motion was tabled until the next meeting. Mrs. Knight then explained that currently the system is the "middleman" for retirees' health insurance during the period of retirement and the premium being subsequently deducted from the retirement check. Mrs. Knight's recommendation is that the system is removed from the "middleman" position and that retirees pay directly to the Office of Group Benefits until it is deducted from the retirement benefit. The Board approved this change.
Item 12 on the agenda was an Early Childhood Network update which was actually done at the previous Monday committee meeting. However, District 6 board member Scott Breland asked if there could be clarification for Enon Elementary teachers and the pre-school program. Teacher Kristen Thomas expressed concerns about there being only one PreK class next fall and information parents were receiving about enrollment. Superintendent Frances Varnado explained that to have two PreK classes the enrollment must be over 25 students and Enon (as of May 18) only had 16 students enrolled. Any students enrolled for PreK at Enon after the June deadline will instead be assigned to Franklinton Primary School.
Child Welfare and Attendance Supervisor Mike Ingram then asked for approval of the student transfers for the 2023-2024 school year. District 1 board member Keith Giles questioned how the system knows if the hardship transfers are actually hardships. President John Wyble explained that it is the staff's responsibility to determine that. Mr. Ingram then asked for approval of the Student Code of Conduct for grades PreK-5 and grades 6-12 for the 2023-2024 school year. The only major change to the lower grades is no Croc style shoes, citing a safety issue. This then led to a discussion about male students being allowed to wear stud earrings to school. The current Code of Conduct does not allow males to wear earrings. Vice President and District 9 board member Lesley McKinley questioned what is the harm with males wearing an earring. District 3 member Bruce Brown echoed McKinley's statements by stating, "We are in the 21st Century. A stud earring won't hurt anything." Kendall McKenzie was reluctant to allow earrings stating, "If we take that out and draw a line, kids will still find a way to step over the new line." Mr. McKinley then asked if male teachers could wear earrings and he and Bruce Brown were outraged to learn that they can. Ultimately the Code of Conduct was approved with six "yes" and three "no" votes with earrings remaining prohibited for male students. Franklinton High School Principal Shane Smith stated that moving forward, the Code of Conduct must address violence more sternly on campuses with students involved in fights suffering stiffer penalties. He explained the time it takes for the disciplinarian to track down males wearing earrings when instead he or she should be focusing on more serious issues.
The Board then discussed bids received for School Violence Prevention Program 2023. Mike Elliot from Homeland Security System was on-hand for questions and explained his company's commitment to Washington Parish Schools. The Board voted to accept the bid by Homeland Security which will now have security measures in place in all Washington Parish Schools.
Maintenance and Transportation Supervisor Steve Knight asked the board to approve the bid for $1,852,000 by Hopkins Construction and Maintenance, LLC for the Franklinton Junior High School remodel project. The project is slated to begin as soon as the school session ends. When students return to school in office they will be shifted to the modular buildings until the remodeling is completed in the main building.
Assistant Superintendent Jennifer Thomas presented a personnel report at Monday's committee meeting and asked that it be approved. She then noted several significant changes in personnel. Mrs. Tiffany Smith is the new Supervisor of Child Welfare and Transportation and replacing her as Franklinton Junior High Principal is Misty Polk. Polk was formerly an assistant principal at FJHS. Ms. Laquisha Mark is the new Assistant Principal of Instruction at Varnado High School replacing William Stubbs. Tammy Sloan is the new Assistant Principal of Discipline at Mt. Hermon School.
Superintendent Frances Varnado gave a brief report noting that Thursday, May 18 was the last day of school for Kindergarten and PreK students. She also noted that schools will be hosting award programs for students the final week of school and encourages parents to attend if possible.
The board's personal privileges included congratulations to those with new administrative positions, praise for the students who were recognized, and continued best wishes for the 2023 graduates.
