The Washington Parish School Board met on Thursday, February 12 at Varnado High School. Following the call to order students from VHS led the prayer, Pledge of Allegiance and a clarinet rendition of the National Anthem.
Students then presented an original skit depicting a 1960's era, pre-integration classroom that centered around Langston Hughes poem "A Dream Deferred." Principal Dr. Latricia B. Warren tied it all together by noting that at Varnado High School students are not deferring dreams but actually living them. She then went on to introduce outstanding scholars including PreACT Rising Stars, FFA scholars, and the girls basketball team who are playoff bound with a 15-8 record and a number 11 state ranking.
Dr. Warren also introduced Desmond Weary, member of the Superintendent's Advisory Council, and London Weary who through her work with the STEM program created beads for the board members featuring a B, signifying VHS's B ranking. Finally, the Talented Art students were acknowledged for the creative Mardi Gras themed decorations in the gymnasium. Dr. Warren ended by stating, "At Varnado High School, students experience a dream not deferred but developed."
Next on the agenda was the approval of minutes for the January 2026 Regular Board Meeting.
Business Office Director Dana Knight then presented the December 2025 financial statements that were presented during the Finance Committee meeting also with acknowledgement of donations received. The document detailed donations totalling $31,257.52 donated to Franklinton High School, Franklinton Junior High School, Franklinton Primary School, Mt. Hermon School, Pine High School, Varnado High School, and Wesley Ray Elementary.
The Board then approved amended budgets for Title III, Title II, IDEA Preschool, and the SPED Camera Budget for the 2025/2026 fiscal year. Board member Keith Giles inquired about cameras on Special Education buses, and President Lesley McKinley explained that the grant was for classrooms only.
The final financial business was regarding distribution of the State-funded Differentiated Compensation Allocation to teachers in critical shortage areas for 2025/2026. This is also to include mentor teachers in these areas.
Assistant Superintendent Lisa Magee Holmes asked the board to adopt the 2026/2027 school calendar. This calendar has personnel returning to work on August 3 with classes beginning on August 6. A new feature will be Teacher/Parent conference days on October 7, 2026 and March 3, 2027. All faculty will report on these days for scheduled meetings with parents and/or school directed professional development. Additionally, 2.5 emergency days are built in the calendar. The last day for students will be May 21 and May 24 for teachers. Holidays include Labor Day, the Washington Parish Free Fair, Election Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's, Martin Luther King Day, Mardi Gras, and Spring Break.
In the Superintendent's Report, Jennifer Thomas thanked Dr. Warren and the students at Varnado High School for hosting the meeting. She reminded everyone of basketball playoffs and noted that code of conduct meetings will be held on Tuesday, February 24th. On Monday, March 9th a public code of conduct meeting will be held at 5:00 pm at the board office. The superintendent's advisory council meeting has been moved to February 27 at 12:30. Immediately following the Advisory Council, there will be Lattes with Leadership that was originally scheduled for January.
The next meeting will be held on Thursday, March 12th at the Pine High School gymnasium.
