The Washington Parish School Board held its first meeting of 2026 on Thursday, January 15. Following the call to order, invocation and Pledge of Allegiance, the Board voted to approve the minutes from December 11.
The next item on the agenda was the adoption of a resolution declaring January as School Board Recognition Month. Superintendent Jennifer Thomas stated how she is personally grateful for the Board "working together for all students in Washington Parish." She added that Chad Dorsett, Scott Breland and Lesley McKinley all achieved 20-plus hours of training in addition to already being certified. In the past year, Board members attained the following training hours: Keith Giles, 18.2; Bruce Brown, 12.25; Chad Dorsett, 20.25; Robert Boone, 14.5; Kendall McKenzie, 2; Scott Breland, 38.75; David Pettitt, 14.2; Amanda Dillon, 12.25, and Lesley McKinley, 30.5.
Thomas then turned the program over to Tricia Smith, Director of Student Communications & Operations. Mrs. Smith reminded the Board how an Early Literacy program that Washington Parish Schools offer provides a foundation for all future learning. Students from each elementary school presented a book to board members. "Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day" was presented to Keith Giles by Mt. Hermon School. "Where the Wild Things Are" was presented to Chad Dorsett and David Pettit by Franklinton Primary School; "The Giving Tree" was presented to Bruce Brown and "Mr. Brown Can Moo" to Kendall McKenzie by Thomas Elementary; "Bear Says Thanks" was presented to Robert Boone and "Don't Forget to Remember" to Lesley McKinley by Wesley Ray Elementary; "Malala's Magic Pen" was presented to Scott Breland by Enon Elementary; and "So Happy to Know You" was presented to Amanda Dillon by Franklinton Elementary.
In other business the November 2025 financial statements were presented to the Board in the Committee meeting and Business Office Director Dana Knight was on hand for any questions. This was followed by the adoption of the Direct Student Services Budget for the 2025/2026 fiscal year.
The Board then adopted a resolution granting the Superintendent negotiation authority. Attorney Matt Garver expounded that this is in instances of personal injury claims and other smaller claims. In the quickness of negotiations in such situations, the Superintendent should have the authority to act. However, larger amounts above insurance must still come to the Board for negotiation.
The final item on the agenda was adoption of the revised Washington Parish School Board Policy File: 811.10-Cameras in Special Education Classrooms. Director Tricia Smith explained that the latest legislative session revised the state's policy that cameras in SPED classrooms no longer were at the request of parents but are now required for all SPED classrooms. Smith explained that Washington Parish Schools were already ahead of this matter with cameras in place in SPED classrooms.
Superintendent Jennifer Thomas reported that the next Advisory Council meeting will be held on January 28. Mardi Gras is earlier this year, and school will be out February 16 - 20. Code of Conduct meetings will be held on February 24. She reminded everyone that basketball, powerlifting, and soccer seasons are in full swing and soon baseball, softball, track, tennis, and golf will kick off. She added congratulations to former Franklinton High School baseball coach Jeff Tageant who is being inducted into the Louisiana Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame, a first in the parish.Tageant coached at FHS for 36 years.
In final comments, President Lesley McKinley congratulated Assistant Superintendent Lisa Magee who married on December 21. She is now Lisa Holmes.
