The Washington Parish School Board held its first meeting of the 2023-24 school year on Thursday, August 10. Following the prayer by board member Lesley McKinley, Mt. Hermon High School student Jessica Spears performed the National Anthem. Following the approval of the minutes from the July meeting, the board tacked a lengthy agenda.
First, Mt. Hermon School principal Stacy Bond introduced some outstanding students from MHS and explained what each was being recognized for (see accompanying photo). Then, the board voted to take appropriate action regarding an agreement to support the Youth Service Bureau. This was followed by a presentation of the June 2023 financial statements from Director of the Business Office Dana Knight. Two items were of particular interest. Sales tax contributions have increased slightly from 2021-22 to 22-23. Taxes collected in 2021-22 totaled $3,914,145.25. Taxes collected in 2022-23 were $4,096,639.11. This is an increase in sales taxes of $182,493.86. Also, the system's Total Assets have increased from June 2022 to June 2023 by $683,252.
Following Mrs. Knight's presentation, the board voted to authorize withdrawal privileges for new principal Stacy Bond on all of Mt. Hermon School bank accounts and terminate withdrawal privileges for former principal Lee Bond effective August 10.
The next 34 agenda items were the board considering motions to adopt budgets for the 2023-2024 fiscal year. These included the Technology Budget, General Fund Budget, and four budgets for the School Food Service that addressed Summer Feeding, At-Risk Supper program, and the Fruit and Vegetable program. Board President John Wyble asked Food Service Supervisor Amanda Stafford to clarify the "supper" program. She explained that currently the program is available to students involved in after school and extracurricular activities. However, once tutoring begins in all schools, the program is available at each school for all students who participate.
Other budgets approved were Literacy Development, Ready Start Network Grants, the Angie 5 Mill Tax budget, and the Believe Grant Budget. There are five budgets that were approved that are federal pandemic money. President Wyble clarified with Mrs. Knight that this the last round of such money and will end December 31, 2023. The district will have until September 30, 2024, to finish spending the balance. Mr. Wyble noted that these federal funds will be missed once they are done.
The remaining budgets to be approved included the ESSA Title I, II, III, and IV as well as a Homeless ARP budget. Several Special Education budgets were approved with one worth noting. The SPED Camera Grant specified that all self-contained special education classroom have cameras installed. According to the Director of Student Support Services Tricia Smith, this was completed, and the money left in the grant budget can be used for repairs and operational expenses.
President Wyble did ask Mrs. Knight to explain the funds that are coming available for a one-time stipend for certified teachers and support staff. Mrs. Knight responded that the funds are outside of the Minimum Foundation funds and were appropriated by the legislature. The money should be available by August 28 when the local district can then apply following board approval to do so. Mr. Wyble stated that he wanted her to clarify that the board is "not sitting on the funds, drawing interest…" Mrs. Knight responded that the money is not available yet, but hopefully by the September meeting the district will know if the amount being sought is available. The entire Washington Parish School District budget is posted on the district website at wpsb.org.
In other business Maintenance & Transportation/Title II Supervisor Mike Ingram asked for the adoption of a new Washington Parish School Board Policy File: EDCC-Carpool and Bus Line Safety and a new Washington Parish School Board Policy File: IDCJ-Continuous Learning. The specifics of each were discussed at the Monday night committee meeting. The board approved both.
Child Welfare & Attendance / Title IX Supervisor Tiffany Hughes-Smith asked the board to adopt revised Washington Parish School Board Policy File: EBBB-School and Student Safety; Policy File: JB-Attendance; Policy File: JBD-Student Absences and Excuses. These were also discussed in the Monday night committee meeting and the board voted to approve the motion.
Assistant Superintendent Jennifer Thomas then asked for approval of the personnel report. Of note were the retirement of bus operator Tammy Slade, the employment of 12 teachers and 8 support staff, and the resignation of seven regular teachers and one paraprofessional. Mrs. Thomas also introduced Crystal Singleton who is the new MHS assistant principal of instruction.
Superintendent Frances Varnado began her report by thanking everyone who made the first four days of school such a great success. She also encouraged the board to stop by Franklinton Junior High School and look at the improvements that are taking place.
Open house dates are available and on both the district and individual school calendars, and Mrs. Varnado encourages not only board members to attend but parents as well.
She finished with mentioning that the system is currently down 163 students from last year but that was the student count as of Thursday, August 10.
Christine Green Bickham, a WRES bus driver, asked about the district possibly purchasing waters/juices for the students for the hot bus ride home. Mrs. Varnado assured Ms. Bickham she will look into the matter.
The board then approved a motion to go into Executive Session as per LA Revised Statute 42:174. With this the meeting was adjourned.
