Interim Washington Parish School Superintendent Jennifer Thomas lost the “interim” part of her title Thursday evening. That’s when the Washington Parish School Board officially made her the new Superintendent of Schools.
Thomas was serving as assistant superintendent late last year when the board decided not to renew the contract of then-Superintendent Frances Varnado. Thomas briefly became acting superintendent and then later was named interim superintendent.
The board advertised the vacant superintendent’s position, and three candidates were scheduled to interview with the board in executive session Thursday night. The board emerged from the executive session and officially voted to name Thomas as the new superintendent.
A former Pine High School principal and administrator, Thomas also had classroom teaching experience at Franklinton High School earlier in her career.
Jennifer Thomas is the daughter of Richard Ned Thomas Jr. and Linda Thomas. Richard Ned Thomas Jr. most recently served as Washington Parish President after serving on the school board. Richard Ned Thomas Sr., her grandfather, also served on the school board. Her mother, Linda Thomas, also was briefly on the school board. Thus, the new superintendent is the third generation of her family to be in a leadership position in the Washington Parish School system.
