The Washington Parish School Board held its regular meeting on April 17 at Franklinton High School. The invocation was offered by FHS Student Council Chaplain Kelby Brown. This was followed by the presentation of colors by the FHS MCJROTC under the command of Major Lecompte and Sgt Diaz. Easton Smith, FHS Student Council President, led the Pledge of Allegiance. Junior Student Council member and FHS cheerleader Janna Rushing sang the National Anthem.
Franklinton High School Principal Shane Smith welcomed everyone to the meeting and highlighted some of the many accomplishments of FHS students this year. This was followed by Supervisor of Curriculum-Middle and High Schools Jennifer Beninato recognizing Student of the Year for each junior high school and high school as well as the district Student of the Year for each category.
Once student recognitions were completed, the Board voted to approve the minutes of the March 13, 2025, Regular Board Meeting and of the March 24, 2025, Special Board Meeting. This was followed by Director of the Business Office Dana Knight soliciting questions concerning the February 2025 financial statements as well as questions about an Agreed Upon Procedure Report by local CPA Minda Raybourn for Franklinton Primary School for fiscal year ended June 30, 2024. This is a common report when administration has changed. The Board then authorized advertisement for Public Hearing for amended budget for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025. Mrs. Knight explained that the fiscal year ends June 30 and the mechanism for amending the budget will be in place in case it is needed. She currently does not foresee this but will be prepared.
In other financial business, Mrs. Knight asked the board to approve a $330,970 allocation to schools for next year's operations budgets. This item was previously discussed during the Finance Committee meeting. The board then took appropriate action regarding an ordinance amending and restating an ordinance originally adopted on October 4, 1966, providing for the continued levy and collection of a one cent (1%) sales tax to be shared between Washington Parish School Board and City of Bogalusa School Board. The board also took appropriate action regarding an ordinance amending and restating an ordinance originally adopted on April 23, 1981, providing for the continued levy and collection of a one cent (1%) sales and use tax within School District No. 2 of the Parish of Washington.
Finally, Mrs. Knight noted the most recent donations received both at the district level and at individual schools. These donations are posted on the school district’s website. The final actions of the board for the meeting were the approval of the Student Code of Conduct for grades Pre K-5 and for grades 6-12 for the 2025/2026 school year.
Superintendent Jennifer Thomas began her report by thanking Franklinton High School Principal Shane Smith for hosting the meeting and congratulated the students and their parents on all the achievements showcased. She then acknowledged Amanda Dillon, newly elected board member who will be sworn in at the May meeting. Thomas reminded the Board that graduations and honors programs are scheduled, and she will be checking to see who will attend and where. The next board meeting will be May 15 at the board office at 6:00 pm. Board president Lesley McKinley ended the meeting with congratulating the baseball and softball teams in the playoffs and wished luck to participants in upcoming district track meets.
