In recognition of Lakeside Jr/Sr High School’s achievement as the first school to secure an A rating in the recent Louisiana school performance scores, the Webster Parish School Board (WPSB) convened its regular session on December 4 at Lakeside Jr/Sr High School. The meeting was hosted in the festively adorned library with a winter wonderland and Warrior pride theme. All school board members were present with the exception of Glenda Broughton, who was absent due to a family medical issue.
Following the approval of the previous month’s minutes and special called meeting minutes, Kevin Thompson of Taylor and Sons honored Malea Geis, a special education teacher at Central Elementary School, with the Employee of the Month award. Details of Ms. Geis’ commendation will be highlighted in an upcoming Minden Press-Herald article.
The next agenda item called for the election of school board officers for 2024. In the runoff, Charles Strong secured the presidency with 6 votes, while Johnnye Kennon obtained the vice presidency with 8 votes. Both will continue in their respective roles throughout 2024.
Expressing gratitude, Vice President Kennon remarked, “Thank you, and I appreciate your vote of confidence. We hope to move the board forward like we always have tried to do.”
President Strong stated, “I’m elated to have another year of partnership with Ms. Kennon. We have to have some serious deliberations. We don’t have that much money in reserve, and we have to make plans to develop that reserve while maintaining and, hopefully, improving the quality of education in our parish. I look forward to strong contributions from all of our board in partnership with our central office staff to make this the best it can possibly be. We’re all blessed to be members on this board, and it’s a privilege to serve.”
The board proceeded to approve several trips to conferences, including the National ESSEA Conference in Portland, Oregon, the NAFEPA Conference in Washington, D.C., and the NIET National Conference in Dallas, Texas. Registration and trip expenses will be paid out of Title I funds.
Additionally, the board adopted a resolution calling for special elections in the Webster Parish School District and Springhill School District No. 8, authorizing the renewal of ad valorem taxes and the issuance of general obligation bonds. Yeager, Watson & Associates were designated as the lead architect for potential renovations to the three schools in Springhill pending voter approval in April.
Further approvals were granted for maintenance expenditures to enhance campuses, with details to be featured in an upcoming Minden Press-Herald article.
The meeting concluded with appreciation extended to Lakeside Jr/Sr High School for hosting. Due to some renovations at the central office, the next WPSB meeting will be held at Harper Pathways to Excellence on January 8, 2024, at 6 PM. The public is welcome to attend.