The Washington Parish School Board met on Thursday, October 23. The invocation was led by Board Member Scott Breland who prefaced the prayer with a moment of silence in tribute to Carson Raney, a student at Franklinton Junior High School who recently passed away.
The agenda began with the approval of minutes of the September 11 Regular Board Meeting followed by the introduction of Mt. Hermon Student Presley Brinker. She designed the crest for the Washington Parish School District, and District 1 board member Keith Giles presented her with two shirts designed by Mt. Hermon graduate Joe Jones.
Next, Director of the Business Office Dana Knight sought any questions concerning the financial statements for August 2025 which were discussed in the Finance Committee meeting held prior to the regular board meeting. The Board then adopted Hancock Whitney Bank as Fiscal Agency for a period of one year beginning November 1, 2025, through October 31, 2026.
The Board also adopted Title III and Title V Budgets for the 2025/2026 fiscal year. Title III is the “immigrant” budget with an expected $8,084 for ESL (English as a Second Language) materials and training. The Title V budget is the “REAP” budget where $155,757 funds reading, enrichment, intervention materials, and paraprofessionals.
Knight noted that sales tax collections are down compared to August 2024 by approximately $183,000. She explained that in June/July 2024, an “unusual chunk” of sales taxes was distributed in relation to automobile purchases. However, sales taxes are cyclical, and growth is currently slowing down. Knight also shared that October is the “sixth month” mark of the one cent sales tax for staff salary supplements and as of October 23 the collections were at the $1.4 million mark.
The next item had the Board adopting a resolution authorizing Superintendent Jennifer Thomas to execute a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with the Louisiana Department of Treasury on behalf of the Washington Parish School System in relation to a line-item appropriation contained in Act 461 of the 2025 Louisiana Legislative Session in the amount of $125,000.00. Superintendent Thomas said that $100,000 is to be used for Career and Technical Education and she commended Suzette Nielson for obtaining these funds for parish students.
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The remaining $25,000 is to be used for safety measures, namely fencing, at Franklinton Primary School. Because the Board is an elected body, an employee must be listed on the agreement.
The Board also acknowledged recent donations received by the school system and these will be posted on the district website.
Amy Varnado, Cooperative Extension Agent, asked the Board to renew a yearly Cooperative Agreement to support and administer Louisiana Extension 4-H Youth Development and other Extension Programs. This was approved and adopted.
Candace Stewart, Instructional Technology Specialist, recommended the Board take appropriate action regarding the Request for Proposals for Internet and WAN. She explained that three proposals were received and after much research, reading and interviews, Swift Fiber is the choice for Internet with a security system and ATT for wireless. Stewart also noted that these are the best options for the future of the district’s technology needs.
The final agenda item was the adoption of the schedule of School Board Meetings for 2026. Superintendent Thomas noted that some of the meetings will be held at school sites, but these dates have not been finalized.
In the Superintendent’s Report, Thomas explained a tree recently planted at Franklinton High School. The tree was grown from a seed that circled the moon in the 2022 journey of the Artemis 1 spacecraft. The tree is one of two in Louisiana and 44 in the nation. She also noted that the tree is now a National Monument and will be fenced with an explanatory plaque.
Thomas congratulated all the many school groups who volunteered and participated in the Washington Parish Free Fair with a special thanks to all the faculty and staff who helped ensure students were involved. Nicholas Manning, a sixth grader at Varnado High School, won the Mile Branch Spelling Bee and Maddie Adams, a student at Pine High School, was named Teen Queen.
Upcoming events in parish schools include Red Ribbon Week, Special Olympics at Pine and Franklinton High Schools, and Thomas Elementary’s Century Celebration. Also on tap are Lattes with Leadership and a Community in Action meeting with invitations issued to all 95 churches in the parish school district to build partnerships with faith leaders and help address issues being faced in schools and communities.
Finally, a survey will be posted beginning next week on the district website, social media, and email to check the pulse on how stakeholders feel about the strategic plan and community engagement.
Board President Lesley McKinley thanked everyone for attending the meeting and for efforts in an outstanding Fair. He also wished continued good luck on the parish’s sports teams. The next board meeting will be held on Thursday, November 13 at Franklinton Junior High School.
