The Washington Parish School Board held its final meeting for 2024 on December 12. Continuing to bring the Board to the people, the meeting was held at Wesley Ray Elementary School in the Angie community.
The meeting was called to order by President Lesley McKinley and WRES students led the invocation and Pledge of Allegiance. The Board was welcomed by Principal Angela Kennedy and Assistant Principal E'laine Boston along with the WRES Beta Club who later gave a rousing rendition of "Go Tell it On the Mountain." Varnado High School Counselor Laurie Williams was on-hand to recognize two of VHS's outstanding scholars.
Senior football player Jayden Bell was recently named as the Chevron Scholar Athlete of the Week (first ever in Washington Parish). Mrs. Williams also explained that Jayden has the highest GPA and ACT score on the football team. She read a letter from Head Coach Adam Brumfield who explained that Jayden is an outstanding athlete and shows great sportsmanship.
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Next, Chasity Dyson reported on her recent experiences as President of VHS's Brilliant Minds Club. She recently had the opportunity to attend a conference in New York focusing on environmental justice and recycling. She learned many things she plans to incorporate into her work with the club in the spring of 2025.
The Board continued the meeting with the approval of minutes for the November 7, 2024, Regular Board Meeting. District LEAP results and District Performance Scores were detailed at the Monday, December 9 Committee meeting. President McKinley added that he and the Board are extremely proud of the students and teachers whose hard work is evident by these test measurements. (Editor's note: the LEAP results and Performance Scores will be explained in more detail in a future issue). President McKinley also expressed his appreciation to all voted in favor of the one-cent sales tax on December 7, 2024. This additional money for employees will hopefully motivate them to stay in Washington Parish and continue to educate students.
Director of the Business Office Dana Knight was on hand to answer questions concerning the presentation of the October 2024 financial report. She also noted that no action was required for the Audit Report-General Purpose Financial Statements. The Board then adopted a Resolution acknowledging and approving the assignment of Legal Counsel by the 22nd Judicial District Attorney. School board attorney Wayne Kuhn explained that the District Attorney furnishes legal counsel to the Parish Government and the School Board, and the Board can participate in the process. Kuhn is retiring on December 31, 2024, after 38 years of providing legal counsel to the Board. Attorney Matthew Garner will be the new attorney at the disposal of the Board.
In another legal matter, the Board was prepared to enter a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) regarding School Resource Officers. Kuhn explained that officers do not enforce school rules while school personnel do not manage criminal activity on campus. The MOU makes clear the roles of each entity and clarifies it in writing. Currently this report is in progress and once complete the Board will take action to adopt it.
In other business, the personnel report was approved. Of note was the retirement of teacher Lahoma Vernon from Mt. Hermon School and Paraprofessional Dwana Thomas from Franklinton Elementary School. Superintendent Jennifer Thomas thanked everyone who cast a vote for education in the recent sales tax election. She also thanked the curriculum team for providing the board with insight into the recent scores. Mrs. Thomas commended Principal Angela Kennedy and Assistant Principal E'laine Boston as hostesses of the meeting at WRES. Finally, she expressed her deep appreciation to Wayne Kuhn for not only his 38 years of service but also his willingness to answer questions, return phone calls, and assistance in leading the Board along proper legal channels.
President McKinley thanked Marsha Newman for her willingness to fill the vacancy left by Representative John Wyble for the past year. Mrs. Newman replied that she has enjoyed her time on the Board and has been honored to represent District 2 even though the experience of a board member is quite different from that of an employee. She is proud of Washington Parish Schools, and as a product of the system, she wants to see it thrive. Chad Dorsett, who ran unopposed in October, will fill the seat in January.
In personal privileges each board member thanked attorney Wayne Kuhn for his service to the system and the witty anecdotes he often shared at meetings. Board Member Bruce Brown added that he is proud of the "FHS Demons to the Dome!" Board Vice President Kendall McKenzie added that Kuhn's successful career is undoubtedly the results of marrying a fine young Angie girl, Sarah Kennedy many years ago. Kuhn absolutely agreed with that statement. President McKinley ended the meeting with his own praise of Kuhn whose involvement in the school system has truly been about the children. He urged everyone to "be a Demon" on Friday and support the FHS football team in the state championship. The meeting was then adjourned.
