The Washington Parish School Board held its first regular meeting of 2024 last Thursday, January 11. Following the invocation and Pledge of Allegiance, the board approved the minutes for the December 7, 2023, meeting as well amending the minutes of the January 12, 2023, regular board meeting due to a clerical error in the heading of the minutes.
On the agenda was the resignation of longtime District 2 school board member John Wyble who is beginning a term as a Louisiana State Representative. This was followed by the approval of the appointment of Marsha D. Newman as District 2's representative. Board attorney Wayne Kuhn read the actual proclamation that will be forwarded to the Secretary of State. Mrs. Newman was Supervisor of Food Services for the district prior to her retirement in 2021. She stated that she is honored to serve in this capacity and hopes to do a good job. The Board voted to declare a proclamation to call a special election for the vacancy of Washington Parish School Board Member, District 2. The next available election is scheduled for November 5, 2024 (primary election) and December 7, 2024 (general election) with qualifying dates of July 17, 18 and 19, 2024.
Upon the resignation of John Wyble, Robert's Rule of Order called for current Board Vice President Lesley McKinley to become the Board President. District 4 representative Kendall McKenzie was elected Vice President of the Board for 2024.
Next, the board adopted a resolution declaring January as School Board Recognition Month. Assistant Superintendent Jennifer Thomas recognized school board members with twenty-plus continuing learning untils. She stated, "These members have gone above and beyond." These were Keith Giles, David Pettit, Frankie Crosby and Scott Breland. Mrs. Thomas also recognized the hours of training board members completed in 2023. Keith Giles completed 33.5 hours; John Wyble 12 hours; Bruce Brown 1 hour; Kendall McKenzie 4 hours; Robert Boone 5.5 hours; Scott Breland 25.5 hours; David Pettit 22.5 hours; Frankie Crosby 33.5 hours and Leslie McKinley 15.5 hours. Following these recognitions the board adopted the Louisiana School Board Association's Code of Conduct for Louisiana School Board Members. President McKinley encouraged all to become familiar with this code and exercise it in all school board matters.
Director of the Business Office Dana Knight was on hand to answer any question about the November 2023 financial statements. The board received the report at the committee meeting on Tuesday, January 9. There were no questions by the board. In other business Mrs. Knight asked that the board authorize withdrawal privileges for Lesley McKinley on select Washington Parish School Board accounts and terminate withdrawal privileges for John Wyble effective January 11, 2024. This was approved.
The final item on the agenda was for the Board to consider a motion to enter into an employment agreement and contractual obligations between Washington Parish School Board and Frances Varnado. (See separate article elsewhere on era-leader.com.)
In view of this, Board President Lesley McKinley acted on behalf of the board when assigning Assistant Superintendent Jennifer Thomas, the position of "acting Superintendent" until the board can meet to determine an interim Superintendent. This was followed by an added motion of allowing Mrs. Thomas withdrawal privileges on all WPSB accounts and the removal of Frances Varnado on all accounts.
The Personnel Report was presented by newly appointed Acting Superintendent Jennifer Thomas who asked for its approval. Of note in the report was Anna Temples's change of employment from a ten-month position as Faculty Coordinator of Thomas Elementary School to a 12-month position as Assistant Principal. This and all other personnel adjustments were approved by the board.
During Personal Privileges, all the Board members thanked Dr. John Wyble for his service on the Board and wished him the best in the Louisiana Legislature. Several noted their pleasure at Mrs. Marsha Newman agreeing to take Dr. Wyble's seat until an election in the fall. Frankie Crosby stated, "We couldn't have chosen a better person --- glad to have you."
Board members thanked Jennifer Thomas for taking on the acting Superintendent role to ensure continuity and stability in the Central Office.
President McKinley noted that unity is needed in the Washington Parish School System. He wishes for "everyone to rally around someone to hold us together." He further stated, "These are difficult times and wrong facts [may be] circulated, but tough decisions have to be made." He ended with assuring everyone that, "We are okay. We are on solid ground."
