Washington Parish Schools Closed – Employees Protest - Board Meetings Scheduled

The Washington Parish School System gave notice on Monday (August 29, 2023) night that “Due to unforeseen circumstances, school is cancelled for students on Tuesday, August 29, 2023.”

Earlier Monday, social media posts spoke of a meeting in the Washington Parish Fairgrounds at 5:30 p.,m. Monday night concerning pay raises, and that pay raises for teachers, custodians, secretaries, aides, lunch room workers, bus drivers, etc. had not been approved. 

Protesters gathered near the WPSB office Tuesday morning. (See the video)

Meetings by the WPSB are scheduled including the following:

• The Washington Parish School Board will meet in special session at the Franklinton Primary School Auditorium, 610 T. W. Barker Drive, Franklinton, Louisiana, on Thursday, August 31, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. Notice of the meeting included one Agenda Item: Consider employee compensation issues and any matters or action related thereto.
• A special meeting (previously-scheduled) will also be held at 5:30 p.m. on September 5, 2023 at the School Board Office, 800 Main Street, Franklinton, Louisiana. 
• Additionally, the Washington Parish School Board will meet in regular session at the School Board Office, 800 Main Street, Franklinton, Louisiana, on Thursday, September 7, 2023 at 6:00 P.M.

In a message received just before noon Tuesday (August 29, 2023), the WPSS advised the following: "Washington Parish Schools will be back in session tomorrow, August 30, 2023 for kindergarten through 12th grades. No Pre-K students will attend. Some buses will not run due to the staff walkout. Please contact your student's bus driver to ensure they are driving tomorrow. If not, please bring your students to school, if possible. Although cafeteria staff is continuing to strike, we will have breakfast and lunch for all students. WPSS is committed to ensuring students are in school. We apologize for any inconvenience that this has caused you. Your support and understanding is very much appreciated. Please visit your district's web based Student Progress Center for more details."