The Washington Parish School Board met on Thursday, March 7. Following the invocation and Pledge of Allegiance, the board addressed a relatively short agenda with President Lesley McKinley presiding.
First, the Board voted to approve the minutes for the February 2024 Regular Board Meeting. Next was the adoption of a resolution to approve the appointment of members to the Board of Directors of the Educational Facilities Improvement District. The Board of Directors includes President McKinley as well as Vice President Kendall McKenzie. Each school board member was to nominate someone to serve. Members Bruce Brown and Frankie Crosby were absent, but Rev. Brown did forward his nomination to Administrative Assistant Melissa Mauer. Mr. Crosby and David Pettit did not have nominations at the time of the adoption of the resolution. The Board of Directors approved are Lesley McKinley, Kendall McKenzie, Rev. Johnny Causey Sr., Russell Garcia, Toni Tageant, Alan Williams, Dale Robertson, Richard Thomas, and Kelvin May. Each board member shall serve for a term of six years.
Director of the Business Office Dana Knight was on hand for any questions or discussion concerning the January 2024 financial statements presented earlier in the week. She also asked the Board to renew the contract of CAS, Third Party Administrator for Workers Compensation which it did.
Interim Superintendent Jennifer Thomas asked the Board to approve the personnel report. Of note on this document was the transfer of Courtnie Lindsey from SPED teacher to Behavior Interventionist, replacing Sheryl Holliday. Early Childhood Education Supervisor Leslie Hodges's contract was also renewed.
Supervisor of Transportation Mike Ingram then asked the Board to approve an adjustment to the bus route of Vivian Ard.
The Superintendent's report was given by Jennifer Thomas. She was pleased to share with the board that for the first time ever, a Washington Parish student has been named a state finalist for Student of the Year. Lauryn Smith, a Varnado High School senior, is competing for this honor. Mrs. Thomas assured the board that in April the Student of the Year from each junior and high school will be recognized, and she is confident this awesome young lady will do very well. She also noted that the junior high school Student of the Year made it to the regional round as well.
Mrs. Thomas then asked Tricia Smith, Director of Student Support Services, to give the board an update on the REACH program. This is a "grow your own" educator program. The parish currently has 23 paraprofessionals and one LPN who are enrolled in the program. These staff members are able to pursue a degree/certification in education while continuing with their current position. Two will be graduating in December of 2024. Mrs. Smith is excited at the interest in this program and pleased that in the near future Washington Parish will have 23 teachers who are already invested in the school system and the community. She is also excited that with this program high school students interested in education can be hired as paraprofessionals and pursue a teaching degree online. With the cost at $75 per month, it is a bargain.
She also told the board about a Student Support Resource night held recently. It featured a guest speaker on the challenges of having a special needs child or adult in the home. There were several agencies on hand to inform attendees and several families making this event was a great success.
There being no further business or comments by the Board, the meeting was adjourned.
