The Webster Parish School Board (WPSB) held its regular meeting on June 3 at the school board offices, located at 1442 Sheppard Street in Minden. All board members were present, and all agenda items were approved unanimously.
The board approved the appointment of the Minden Press-Herald as the Official Webster Parish School Board Journal.
School Food Service Coordinator Candiss Sheppard and School Food Service Field Manager Andrea Bourn were approved to travel to the annual School Nutrition Association conference in Boston, Massachusetts, from July 13-17 using School Food Service funds.
The board approved revisions to the following policies:
JGC: Student Health Services
JGCD: Administration of Medication
IDDF: Education of Students with Exceptionalities
JDA: Corporal Punishment
The changes to these policies were all suggested by the Louisiana Legislature and clarify existing guidelines. Details can be found on the Louisiana Legislature website.
The board approved adding girls’ volleyball at Doyline High School as a Louisiana High School Athletic Association (LHSAA) sanctioned varsity sport. Doyline High School is the first public school in Webster Parish to have a LHSAA sanctioned girls’ volleyball team. “This is not the first time that Doyline has led the way for us. Well done,” said Webster Parish School Board President Charles Strong.
The board approved accepting the two-year renewal term from Midwest Employers for excess workers’ compensation insurance coverage for the period of July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2026.
The board also approved a number of maintenance and improvement expenditures at various campuses using allocated maintenance funds.
The board went into executive session to evaluate Superintendent Johnny Rowland’s performance. When the regular session reconvened, the board voted to extend Rowland’s contract for another four years.
In the personnel report, Personnel Director Robin Tucker stated that the work of the personnel department is proceeding as usual for this time of year, with efforts to find new employees for the next school year. “I feel confident we’ll be fully staffed come August,” she said.
The board may meet again in a special session, though it has not yet been announced. The next regularly scheduled meeting of the school board will be on July 1 at 6 PM. The public is welcome to attend.