The Washington Parish School Board held its November meeting on Thursday, November 9. Following the invocation by Vice President Lesley McKinley and Pledge of Allegiance led by Keith Giles, the meeting began with presentations of students by Franklinton Junior High School Principal Misty Polk and Pine High School Principal Ramona Thomas.
A Notice of Consideration of Action regarding an ad valorem tax was then given. At the December meeting there will be consideration of action regarding the calling of a special election to authorize the continuation of the levy and collection of an existing ad valorem tax dedicated to constructing, acquiring, improving, maintaining and operating schools, and school related facilities for the public schools of the district, and providing equipment and furnishings. This is not a new tax but the continuation of a tax already being levied.
Next the board approved the second allocations to schools for the 2023/2024 operations budget. Schools will receive $65 per elementary student and $75 per high schools student. Director of the Business Office Dana Knight explained that this is the standard amount. In other business the board approved restricted allocations for some schools in lieu of paying for water/sewage and adopted a budget revision for the Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Program as it was decided to opt out of the program.
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Other financial business included adopting the REAP budget for the 2023/2024 fiscal year which pays for reading interventionsits for the district.
Assistant Superintendent Jennifer Thomas asked the board to adopt revised Washington Parish School Board policy files for executive session, sick leave, and maternity and adoptive leave. These policies, while already in place at WPSB, will reflect small changes in wording only. Additionally, the board approved revisions to the policy for video/audio monitoring of School Board property as per legislative changes, as well as changes to the Annual Operating Budget Audits, and public health emergency. Mrs. Thomas reiterated that these policies have already been in place but there have been changes in some of the wording from the legislature. The audio/video monitoring policy is new, and the board was briefed on this policy as Monday's committee meeting. Mike Ingram, Maintenance and Transportation Supervisor, then asked the board to adopt the revised Emergency/Crisis Management Policy file for Student Transportation Management which will also reflect recent changes from the legislature.
Of note in the personnel report presented by Mrs. Jennifer Thomas, Crystal Singleton is no longer an assistant principal at Mt. Hermon School and is now a Literacy Coach. Elaine Robinson is the new Faculty Coordinator at Wesley Ray Elementary replacing Kim Jones. Deborah Norman, school lunch worker, and bus driver Steve Owens have retired
In her report, Superintendent Frances Varnado noted that Pine and Varnado would be starting football playoffs on Friday, November 10. She also invited the board to attend the Special Olympics at Franklinton High School on Thursday, November 16 at 11:45. Finally, she reminded everyone that the Thomas Early Learning Center will be starting with students on Monday, November 13.
In closing, board members were very complimentary of the Franklinton Junior High School and Pine High School students who were presented to the board. All were impressed with the student accomplishments. President John Wyble reminded everyone that the class of 2023 earned 10 million dollars in scholarship money and that is incredible for a poverty parish, but a solid educational support system leads to outstanding students. Board member Bruce Brown added, "We do well with what we have."
The board members also thanked veterans for their service and invited those present to attend any of the programs that all schools would be having on Friday, November 10 to honor veterans. On a final note, President John Wyble reminded everyone that a new governor will be taking office in January and that there are exciting things ahead for education in Louisiana. He predicts, "The view of high schools will change fundamentally in the next ten years." With that the board voted to enter Executive Session under LA. R.S. 42:17 (2) and the audience was allowed to leave.
