The Washington Parish School Board held its final meeting of 2025 on Thursday, December 11.
During the committee meeting held prior to the regular meeting, Katie Miller presented district and school performance scores. Scores are for the 2024-25 school year. Highlights of the presentation included:
•Washington Parish's school system's score has risen 2.4 points since 2019 and the system earned a letter grade B;
•Three schools, Franklinton High School, Pine High School, and Varnado High School are B schools; five schools had an overall increase in school performance scores; and two schools went up a letter grade.
•Three schools, Franklinton Primary, Franklinton Elementary, and Pine High School earned Top Gains recognition from the state; and six schools had growth in the subgroup of Students With Disabilities; and no schools have a rating of F for any subgroups reported.
This year's school performance results are the last to use the current accountability formula as it has been criticized as outdated, hard to understand, and misaligned with the skills that students need for true readiness. Beginning next year, Louisiana will shift to a new accountability model designed to provide clearer, more meaningful information.
Director of Student Communications & Operations Tricia Smith recognized Pam Benison and Jamie Ragas, graduates of Reach University. Mrs. Smith reminded the Board that the school system began a partnership with Reach University in August 2022, giving WPSS support staff the opportunity to earn a bachelor's degree and teacher certification while continuing to work full-time. She noted that these employees share a heart for students, a passion for becoming teachers, and a deep commitment to the community.
•Since the program began, nearly 30 WPSS paraprofessionals and support staff have taken this step toward their dream.
Director of the Business Office Dana Knight then solicited questions for October 2025 financial statements that were previously covered in the committee meeting. Brandy Smith from Eisner Amper presented the 2025 audit report. Ms. Smith assured the Board that the audit is on track to being submitted before the December 31 deadline. She noted that in the audit of financial statements, there were two exceptions. A new fund was created without an adopted budget and another item showed expenses as more than the five percent budgeted and the budget was not amended. The system receives a great sum of money through federal grants and the audit of the grants revealed no exceptions and no findings. In the BESE Agreed Upon Procedures section, data on employees did not match submissions to the state. Smith explained that 25 random employees' information was pulled and three show discrepancies.. There were no exceptions in the Internal Controls sections and no significant chance of problems was found. The system will not be fined, but the exceptions must be reported to the legislative auditor.
The Board then adopted revised Washington Parish School Board Policy File: 713.30.01-Reporting use of seclusion and physical restraint; 811.40-Allowable use of seclusion and restraint and new Washington Parish School Board Policy File: 811.35-Crisis intervention supports for students with exceptionalities.
In the Superintendents's Report, Jennifer Thomas recognized Mrs. Elaine Boston who began her administrative career at Wesley Ray Elementary as Faculty Coordinator and has now been named Assistant Principal. Also on hand were Mrs. Boston's husband and WRES Principal Angela Kennedy. The Superintendent congratulated both on a job well done on test scores. (WRES has the largest growth, 3.9 points, in the parish on the school performance score).
Mrs. Thomas also reported on the five clergy members who attended a Faith Ministry meeting to help determine areas of problem and strength in the parish schools. She also thanked everyone from directors down to the teachers and students for a great job on test scores. Thomas also reminded everyone that basketball and soccer games will go on despite the holiday break from school and urged everyone to go support "our kids." She ended by wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas.
Board President Lesley McKinley stated, "I put our students up against the nation. We are doing what we should to improve. We push kids to do their best and we shouldn't just use test scores to determine this." He also expressed his frustration that the state accountability program will change for next year by saying, "When you master --- the standards change."
The Board then voted to enter into Executive Session under LA.R.S.42:17 (2) concerning pending litigation. The next Washington Parish School Board meeting will be held on January 15, 2026.
