The Washington Parish School Board held its September Regular Meeting at Mt. Hermon School. The meeting location was set in January and it is a usual practice by the Board to conduct meetings at different schools during the year.
Prior to the Regular Meeting, a community meeting was held to inform attendees about the proposal to close Mt. Hermon grades 7-12 at the end of the current school year. It was a packed gymnasium and speakers in favor of keeping the school open came prepared.
The board recognized the emotion and concern around the issue of closing Mt. Hermon High School and grades 7-12. Director of Communications & Operations Tricia Smith gave a comprehensive presentation of the reasons the school district administration believes it is the best decision for the school moving forward.
According to Smith, "This recommendation is not based on one issue, and it is not simply a financial decision. Mt. Hermon is facing several challenges that increasingly affect [the district's] ability to provide students with the educational experience they truly deserve."
Smith then methodically outlined the factors of declining enrollment, difficulty recruiting and retaining qualified educators, frequent changes in school leadership, fewer course and activities offerings, academic concerns and continuing financial pressure.
The challenges are all interconnected, she noted, pointing out that as enrollment decreases, funding decreases. As secondary enrollment becomes smaller, staffing becomes more difficult. Fewer teachers mean fewer courses and more preparations required for individual teachers. Fewer students also make extracurricular programs harder to sustain.
Eventually, she said, the district must ask whether maintaining the existing structure is serving students as well as it can. Smith noted that in 2016, Mt. Hermon served approximately 456 students and today that number is approximately 323 with the most significant decline in the secondary grades. School systems nationally, across Louisiana, and in Washington Parish are adjusting to changing demographics and changing educational choices.
Enrollment is a major factor as funding for public schools is driven by student numbers. Additionally, Mt. Hermon has a student population that is 80 percent economically disadvantaged and 25 percent missed more than 15 days of school in recent years, Smith said.
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Smith also stated that the goal is not to diminish Mt. Hermon but to assist the school in doing something exceptionally well. As a PreK through 6th grade school, the focus can intensify on Early Childhood Education, Literacy grounded in the Science of Reading, Standards Based Numeracy, and Reading and Math Interventions. Because of the current broader focus of PreK thru grade 12, students have less dedication to early education compared to other schools in the district. She said that younger students where foundational learning occurs can further enhance their educational experience. One additional course can introduce a student to a career he or she never knew existed. One industry certification can help a graduate walk directly into employment. One dual enrollment course can reduce the time and cost required to earn a college degree. A larger secondary setting allows for opportunities that simply cannot be replicated with a very small number of students.
Mt. Hermon's current offerings of Dual Enrollment, Career and Technical electives and Industry credentials are far behind those offered at the larger Franklinton High School, Smith pointed out. The same can also be said of athletics, support groups, and clubs and organizations. Students are different, and they deserve enough opportunities that every student has a reasonable change to discover where he or she belongs, what interests them, and where they can excel.
Members of the Mount Hermon School faculty, student body and community disagreed with the findings of the district and had the opportunity to speak for three minutes each following the Board's presentation.
Teacher Barbara Kerbow responded that a petition of 711 signatures has been sent to the Louisiana Department of Education in protest to the proposed closing. She challenged the district's numbers and stated that the grade 7 to 12 enrollment is 150 this year and not the previously released 139. She added that the community wants the PK-12 experience and the school is "growing and flourishing."
While it has been reported that Mt. Hermon's dual enrollment numbers are only four or five students, Kerbow explained that these students are completing dual enrollment within a class with larger numbers.
Kerbow also demanded that the Board "listen to parents and teachers and slow your roll."
Four Mt. Hermon juniors, who would potentially have to move schools for their senior year, spoke as well. Each lauded the love and support of teachers and gave reasons why they should not be forced to move after attending the school their entire lives. They also expressed their anxiety about attending another school and trying to participate in clubs and sports on a much larger scale than those at Mt. Hermon.
A 2022 graduate stated that MHS was not a failing school but a failed school. She questioned if the district has genuinely exhausted every resource when it comes to the school.
Brandy Kerbow, a teacher, parent, alumnus, and community member questioned the student opportunities. There is no Girls Basketball program this year, but according to Kerbow no one has been hired to coach. She added that parents and students choose MHS for a reason and opportunities they are missing out on aren't crucial for success.
The most poignant comments came from Jan Duncan Riley, who has no affiliation with the Mt. Hermon School or community. Instead, she grew up in Thomas and vividly remembers 1974 when Thomas High School (as well as Enon High School) was consolidated during her high school career. Her feelings of being a misfit and missing out on her junior and senior year have never left her and she implored the Board not to repeat this process with another group of students.
Other speakers included parents, grandparents, and community members who collectively are happy with school as it currently exists and are adamant that the closing would be a mistake. Some asked that the Board prayerfully consider this proposal and make sure they are walking in alignment with what God wants and not what their personal feelings may be.
All their stories of love, acceptance, and happy experiences at Mt Hermon School have merit. But, will this be enough to sway the voting members of the Washington Parish School Board? To the credit of the School Board, its members attentively listened to every speaker.
School Board President Lesley McKinley thanked everyone for their input and especially appreciated the words and in some cases the tears of the students. He assured the crowd that the Board is listening and hearing what they all were saying and added, "These decisions are never easy." McKinley ended with, "I am in prayer about everything" indicating that this matter is in his prayers as well.
The Board is set to vote on the proposed closing of the high school and junior high school on Thursday, September 24.
Following a short intermission, the Board resumed with its regular meeting and recognized outstanding scholars and athletes at Mt. Hermon School. This was followed by the approval of the minutes for the August 13, 2026, Regular Board Meeting. Finance Director Dana Knight explained that the financial statement for July was presented at a Finance Committee meeting on Tuesday, September 8. Board member Keith Giles asked for documents concerning an expenditure on the Mt. Hermon School cafeteria. He wants the chain of custody for that project.
Next, the Board adopted the Louisiana Compliance Questionnaire which Knight explained is required for the yearly audit. District 1 Board member Keith Giles voted no, and a roll-call vote was taken. The measure passed 8-1.
Mrs. Knight also reminded the Board that at the Finance Committee meeting, Josh McGehee with McGehee Insurance informed them of a liability insurance renewal at the cost of $505,395.46. This was approved by the Board. The final item of the evening was the approval of the Special Federal Fund budget revision for the 2026/2027 fiscal year.
Superintendent Jennifer Thomas expressed her pride in the recognized Mount Hermon students and extended congratulations to them and their families.
She also noted that one of the favorite traditions in the parish --- the Washington Parish Free Fair Flag Raising --- will be on Friday, September 25 at 10:00 am at the Courthouse. She hopes everyone will attend and officially kick off fair season in Washington Parish.
