Washington Community Schools approves new hires, return to school plan

Lindsay Owens, Washington Times-Herald, Ind.
·2 min read

Jun. 18—During the Thursday board meeting, the Washington Community Schools Board approved several new hires.

Halliw Browning, Marleigh Burris and Kaitlin Dant were hired as elementary teachers while Kim Conder will serve as an elementary art teacher. Rhiannon Fry will be the dean at Lena Dunn Elementary and Rebecca Titone will work with Kinder Camp students as a non-certified staff member.

After accepting the resignation of band director Brandon Hagen, they board also approved the hiring of Branden Burris for the position. Washington High School will also have a new math teacher in Jeanette Socks and Tamara Delisle will teach social studies at the junior high. Rachel Knepp will supervise the weight room.

Resignations were also accepted for Lacey Higgins, Olivia Pride, Zach Waggoner and Paige Roher.

Since the Daviess County schools have worked together to craft a back to school plan, Washington's will look much like the policy Barr-Reeve recently released.

"Masks will be optional except on the buses," said Washington Community Schools Superintendent Dr. Dan Roach, adding the plan is subject to change. 'We must follow the federal guidelines from the CDC on buses so the masks must be worn."

The board also approved bringing back early release days on Wednesdays to help provide teachers with professional development opportunities.

Roach said work is going on at several of the WCS facilities. The central office and Veale Elementary will have new roofing installed, all parking lots will be milled and paved and all classrooms will receive Viewsonic Smartboards that will replace the TVs and projector screens. Lena Dunn will have its playground moved to the back, UVC lighting will be installed in the buildings and security cameras will be upgraded among other projects.

Assistant Superintendent Kevin Frank also announced that Washington High School's Project Lead the Way programs have allowed the high school to be recognized as a distinguished school for the upcoming school year.

A special school board meeting will be held Wednesday at noon at the corporation office. The next regular board meeting is set for July 15 at 7 p.m.