For 25 years students of the Washington Community Schools looked to the Bethel Mall as a source for school supplies, but that source shut down after the fall of 2024. Last spring, Washington school social workers and Connections collaborated with several local churches and community organizations to create the Hope Bags program. With community support, Hope Bags was able to provide 650 with necessary supplies to start the school year. At Thursday’s meeting, Washington School Board members and Superintendent Kevin Frank recognized the support and thanked the churches and organizations supporting the Hope Bags Program. The Board recognized the continued support from Connections, Youth First, the Washington Rotary Club, and the following churches: Bethel Church, Bethany Christian, Central Christian, Christ United Methodist, Washington Free Methodist, Harvest Community Church, Mt. Olive, New Hope Christian Church, and Pleasant Hill United Methodist. In addition to supporting the Hope Bags program, several of the congregations have adopted school buildings and will continue their support of the teachers and students throughout the school year.
The Board also recognized the school system’s employees of the month: Washington High School math teacher Chad Niehaus, food service employee Brittany Burns, and bus driver Erin Keller. Each staff member of the month received a Yeti tumbler and a $50 Amazon gift card from Habig Injury Law.
In regular business, the Board accepted the resignation of Gage Latham as 7th Grade Boys Basketball Coach. The Board also approved hiring Eryn Gray as an instructional aide and Wendy Montgomery as a bus attendant. The Board also approved John Roy as 7th grade boys basketball coach, Jody Williams as 8th grade boys assistant coach, and Brian Englehart, Eric Blackwell, Grant Stafford, and Jeff Lemon as 5th and 6th grade boys basketball coaches.
The board also approved a new master contract with the system’s teachers. Superintendent Frank commented that due to a cut in state funding, the Board was unable to give the teachers the raise they deserved. The Board also approved an administrative pay stipend at the same rate as the faculty. A stipend for non-certified employees was approved based on the number of days worked.
The Board also heard a report on the Primary School building program and approved a contract with Hagerman/Ratio to proceed with the construction.
At the end of the meeting, they recognized the Washington Fall Sports teams, especially three WHS volleyball players, Keegan Byrer, Shay Hawk, and Ella Williams, who were named Academic All-State.
