The Webster Parish School Board held its regular monthly meeting April 7 at Harper Pathways to Excellence, located at 618 Germantown Road, with all members present.
The board unanimously approved a resolution calling for special elections to authorize the levy or renewal of special taxes in five school districts: Webster Parish School District, Consolidated School District No. 3, Cotton Valley School District No. 12, Sarepta School District No. 35, and Sales Tax School District No. 6. The measure includes a renewal at the lowest rate, resulting in no tax increase. The resolution also authorizes application to the State Bond Commission.
Kevin Thompson of Taylor and Sons recognized Employees of the Month for March and April. Samantha Lewis, a teacher at North Webster Jr. High, was honored for March, and Stephanie Pitman, a teacher at Central Elementary, was honored for April. Additional details will be published in a future edition of the Minden Press-Herald.
Personnel Director Dr. Rebecca Wilson recognized the 2024-25 Students, Support Workers, Teachers, and Principals of the Year. (Not all winners were available for photographs.)
Parish Students of the Year are:
- Elementary: Lakyn Pate
- Middle: Ayauna Roberson
- High School: Peyton Handy
Parish Support Worker of the Year: Joseph Smith
Parish Teachers of the Year are:
- Elementary Teacher of the Year: Hannah Pevy
- Middle Teacher of the Year: Tunisia Hampton
- High School Teacher of the Year: Leslie Utley
Parish Principals of the Year are:
- Elementary: Cortney McCall
- Middle: Gwenzetta Bradford
- High School: Ashley Hooter
Secondary/CTE Supervisor Linda Hudson recognized Educators Rising student presenters and competition winners. Attendees included Raiden Phillips (public speaking), Cailey Nail and Callie Lewis (interactive board on the five senses), Ivion Harris and Allison Lorenz (children’s book), and Rylee Hudson (public speaking). These students, along with two others, will attend the national conference in June.
The board unanimously approved a quote from Homeland Safety Systems in the amount of $224,892.19 for security cameras. It also approved the FY 24-25 budget revisions.
A contract with KEV School Solutions for a cashless online payment system was approved in the amount of $58,195. The system will allow online or card payments for items such as t-shirts and event tickets. According to Finance Director Crevonne Odom, the initiative was prompted by auditor recommendations. The system will include devices available at schools and events. Although cash will still be accepted for now, Odom said that may change in the future. The vote passed with Susan Addington of District 12 opposing and Jana Watson of District 6 abstaining. The recurring annual fee of $39,130 will come from maintenance funds.
The board unanimously approved several field trips and professional development activities:
- North Webster Lower Elementary PBIS students to Logoly State Park in Magnolia, AR on April 11, 2025.
- North Webster High School Talented Art students to Dallas/Fort Worth, TX, April 25-27, 2025.
- Webster Jr. High 6th grade students to Dallas, TX, on April 17, 2025.
- Special Education Department employees Kassidy Alexander and Jill Hunter to Phoenix, AZ, April 27 – May 1, 2025, for a legal issues institute.
- Ursula Hullaby to attend the Conference on Crimes Against Women in Dallas, TX, May 19-22, 2025.
- Junior High and High School students and district staff to the Educators Rising National Conference in Orlando, FL, June 26-29, 2025.
In the superintendent’s report, it was noted that Webster Parish students raised nearly $139,000 for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. A slideshow of recent campus improvements will be shown at the May board meeting. State testing has begun at some schools and will continue at others. A party has expressed interest in purchasing more than 20 acres of land behind Harper Pathways to Excellence; further discussion is expected at the next meeting.
The next regular board meeting is scheduled for May 5 at 6 PM at the school board offices. The public is invited to attend.