The Washington Parish School Board held its most recent meeting on Thursday, July 20 at the Board Office. Following the prayer and pledge, the meeting began with the approval of minutes from the June 8 Regular Meeting and the May 26 Board Retreat.
The Board then tackled a fairly long agenda of items as the first day of school is only a few weeks away. First the Board officially recognized retirees from all ten schools in the district. Prior to the meeting the retirees and family members were honored at a brief reception.
The Board then heard from Tammy Knight representing the Franklinton Dixie Youth Baseball Association which conducts its activities on school board owned property. The School District leases the property to the Association for a ten-year period at a minimal cost. Mrs. Knight said the Association's Board had been working toward fulfilling the goal of building a centralized concession and restroom area at the property for several years.
However, on June 20, stormy weather ripped the roof off the primary concession area. This put the new concession/restroom project on the front burner. But it is basically impossible to solicit grants as the Association does not actually own the property. Mrs. Knight was seeking permission to pursue funding sources and asked the board to increase the lease time to 20 years. She also explained that the plans included tearing down old structures, most which are outdated and, in some cases, unsafe. Mrs. Knight further explained that beyond the City of Bogalusa, this is the only baseball league in the parish, and it serves approximately 421 players from across the region. Ultimately the Board granted permission for pursuing funding, and Board Attorney Wayne Kuhn will research the lease to ensure changing it to 20 years is possible.
Curriculum Coordinator Katie Miller briefly explained several revisions to the 2023-24 Pupil Progression Plan which included making DIBELS the assessment for lower grades as well as additions to the high school plan. The April Dunn Act allows a student's Individualized Education Program (IEP) team to determine an alternate means to a diploma. This is now specified in the Progression Plan. This will be available on the school board's website and anyone wishing for a paper copy can contact Ms. Miller. The board approved the revisions. Mrs. Miller also briefly gave an overview of high school LEAP test score results for the Spring 2023 testing. However, she presented raw data to give the Board an idea of where the district is compared to the state. The official data will be reported once it is compiled and categorized.
Next, the Board approved a Chromebook policy that will address losses, damages, and destruction that will be consistent throughout the district. The Board also approved the renewal of a long-time policy of supporting the Louisiana Extension 4-H Youth Development and other extension programs. This included a yearly one-time payment of $10,000 to the Extension Service that has been in place for many years.
Business Office Director Dana Knight was on hand to answer any questions about the May 2023 financial statements that were presented in the Monday Committee Meeting on July 17. She also recommended Bolinger for the Student Accident Insurance coverage for the 2023/24 school year and recommended that Stranco be approved by the board for waste disposal services at a price of $81,060. Both items were approved by the Board. The Board approved the plan for payments of employee insurance premiums to Office of Group Benefits for employees on leave without pay as well as payments of cafeteria plan coverage for such employees.
School Food Service Supervisor Amanda Stafford asked the Board to consider a motion to rescind the bid award to Forecom Solutions as the bid specified an "all or none" bid versus individual line items. The board approved the motion and then also approved Mrs. Stafford's request that the award for the entire food bid be given to Pon Foods.
Tiffany Hughes-Smith, Child Welfare and Attendance Supervisor, informed the board that the law firm of Hammond and Sill recommended that the prohibition of unnatural hair color and males wearing earrings be taken from the Code of Conduct for the 2023/24 school year. This sparked discussion as to the exact wording addressing these items as ultimately the principal still has discretion in determining if the hair color and/or earrings violate health, safety, and welfare. Attorney Wayne Kuhn did inform the board that if the district has a policy in the Code of Conduct, it needs to be enforced or removed. After much input and discussion by various Board Members and principals in attendance, the board voted to table the item until the August meeting to be held the week students return to school. This way the exact wording in the Code of Conduct will be available and can be voted on.
Next on the agenda was Maintenance and Transportation Supervisor Mike Ingram who recommended that United Restoration and Preservation be awarded the bid for waterproofing and masonry for the Franklinton Junior High School renovation at a cost of $622,000. (See related article.)
He also asked that the board consider a motion to adopt revised Washington Parish School Board Policy:ED-R-Student Transportation Management Regulations. Mr. Ingram informed the Board that the Transportation File has not been updated since October 2000 and needs to reflect current policy and actions. This was tabled after a motion by Kendall McKenzie who felt the board needed time to study this more.
Assistant Superintendent Jennifer Thomas asked that the board consider a motion to adopt revised Washington Parish School Board PolicyFile:GBRK-Annual Leave. This too was tabled until the next meeting. Mrs. Thomas also asked for Board approval to raise the sponsor stipends for junior high and high school support group sponsors, and to add a stipend for high school Fishing Team sponsors. This was approved by the Board. Finally, Mrs. Thomas asked the Board to approve all personnel adjustments given to them in committee meeting and pointed out Mt. Hermon School's newest principal Ms. Stacy Bond and Franklinton Junior High School Assistant Principal of Discipline Mr. Ryan Skluzacek who were present. The Board approved both motions by Mrs. Thomas.
Superintendent Frances Varnado gave a brief report that included the prep days for all junior and high school students and the "Meet the Teacher" dates for elementary and primary students. Mrs. Varnado also noted the new electronic sign outside the Board office which will keep the public up-to-date on school events. She then had Wayne Kuhn briefly go over the Washington Parish School Board Political Activities Policy. This refresher was needed as there will be several local elections this fall.
The individual Board members congratulated all retirees and new hires and shared their wishes for a great school year. Board member Frankie Crosby announced that on Sunday, August 6, there will be an hour of prayer at the large flag in Franklinton at 3:00 pm. This is open to anyone who wishes to meditate and/or pray for the students, teachers, and staff for the upcoming school year. The Board then voted to go into executive session to discuss a legal matter and the audience was dismissed.
The following teachers, paraprofessionals and support staff were honored at a retirement reception prior to the July 20 school board meeting. They were then recognized during the board meeting. They were front row from left: Ramona Perkins, FPS 10 years; Karen Boudoin, WRES 20 yrs; Linda Bourg, WRES 21 yrs; Janet Magee, VHS 37 ½ yrs; Second Row from left: Jackie Greely, WRES 25 yrs; Felicia Harry, WRES 36 yrs; Brenda Pittman, FES 21 years; John Herring, FJHS, 5 years and 26 Police Department; Rhonda Perea, FJHS 28 yrs; Jeff Tageant, FHS 36 yrs; Rebecca Foley, MHS 30 yrs; Jonie Sanders, MHS 25 yrs; Caron Knight, PHS 34 yrs; Renee Burris , FHS 35 yrs; and Patsy Breland, WRES 30 yrs;
