The regular meeting of the Washington Parish School Board on held on Thursday, November 13 at Franklinton Junior High School.
FJHS Principal Misty Polk welcomed the Board and then presented the officers of some of the school's clubs. She prefaced the introductions by explaining the rigorous process each must go through to become an officer. These include an application, an interview, teacher recommendations, and a slide show describing each one's experience and other activities.
When asked why they wanted to be in leadership positions, some responded "to be a leader and not a follower," "to be a role model," and "to become more involved in community service."
Mrs. Polk then introduced the officers of National Jr. Beta Club, Student Council, and 4-H. School Board President Lesley McKinley then recognized the parents of the students and thanked them for their efforts as well.
The minutes from the October meeting were approved, followed by Business Office Director Dana Knight presenting the September 2025 financial statements. The Board then approved the second allocation school for the 2025/2026 operating budget. PreK and elementary schools will receive $55 per pupil, and high schools will receive $65. This amounts to $257,005 with ten percent allocated to schools' contingency funds. In-town schools have water and sewage paid through the central office; therefore, a once-a-year allocation is added to rural schools' contingency funds to allow for water and sewage.
Next, the Board adopted a new Washington Parish School Board Policy File: Extra Compensation, also known as Educational Facilities Improvement District. This is the result of a one cent sales tax approved by voters in December 2024.
After six months of collection, the School Board is ready to disburse the first payments to employees.
The Board members then considered a motion to authorize the disbursement of Education Facilities Improvement District funds in the amount of $2,000 for certificated qualified employees and $1,400 for uncertificated qualified employees on December 5, 2025.
Prior to voting, attendees were given the opportunity to speak to the board concerning the motion for a limit of three minutes. Five bus drivers and one citizen implored the Board to reconsider the amounts citing "we are all of equal importance" and "we all spend money and pay taxes in Washington Parish." Several added that had they known how the money would be disbursed, they would not have voted in favor of the tax.
Franklinton High School principal Shane Smith encouraged those disappointed in the amounts to "respect the process" and "focus on what you are getting rather than worrying about what others get." He compared himself to Superintendent Jennifer Thomas, who as the leader of the system earns the highest salary. However, Smith noted, Thomas is responsible for every child who attends school in the system as well as all employees and the annual budget. Her position entails much more responsibility than Smith's as a principal so, he said, he should not compare her salary to his.
The lone "no" vote came from District 1 school board member Keith Giles who vehemently argued that "the tax is on the people who live and work here --- all pay the same tax, and the disbursements should be equal across the board." He also declared, "there is no way I can vote to approve this."
After speakers' accusations of "dirty politics" and telling of a past of "begging for more money," District 9 board member Amanda Dillon asked that everyone trust the process. "We are making progress," she said, "and taking tiny steps --- things will get better."
School Board President Lesley McKinley reiterated that "Every employee is appreciated and all are a part of the whole. It takes everyone to make the system run and we value everyone." McKinley also referenced a survey that was conducted among all employes once the sales tax was approved, and it was clear that the additional stipend would become a reality. The system has 749 employees but only 538 (70%) responded. When asked how to distribute the money, 53 (9%) noted "no preference." 59 (11%) noted "same for everyone." 182 (33.8%) noted "each employee gets a percentage of his/her salary." 244 (45.2 %) responded "Each employee should receive a flat stipend in accordance with the Louisiana State Department of Education salary guidelines."
According to McKinley, this is what drove the Board's decision and is proof of democracy at work. He also noted that the decision of $2,000 for teachers left them at the same amount of a state tax driven stipend received in October. However, the Board brought all support personnel up from the state stipend of $1,000 to $1,400.
McKinley encouraged everyone to accept what is offered “so we can move forward. Spend money in Washington Parish so in May the amount can go up.”
Longtime board member Bruce Brown expressed that he may have divided the money differently, but the system is "closing the gap" and life is full of disappointments. He finished with, "We did the best we could."
Following the comments, the Board recorded a roll-call vote with Giles voting no and the remainder of the board voting yes.
