SERVING THE PARISHES OF EAST FELICIANA AND WEST FELICIANA
The
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T H E A D V O C AT E.C O M
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W e d n e s d ay, Au g u s t 13, 2025
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Coach Hatem Bachar celebrates West Feliciana Parish Schools being the top district in the state during a back to school convocation.
West Feliciana schools celebrate successes, look to future
BY JAMES MINTON Contributing writer
Exchanging hugs and high-fives after being apart for the summer, West Feliciana Parish school employees began a new school year with an Aug. 4 convocation. The program looked back on several areas of success last year, with Superintendent Hollis Milton urging the employees to continue working to keep the district’s high state ranking in several areas. West Feliciana was the top-ranked school district for the 2023-24 school year, an achievement announced toward the end of 2024. West Feliciana received a letter grade of “A” in the state’s accountability rankings for its district performance score of 98.3, which Milton said was the highest earned by any district under the ranking system that was in place then. In December of that year, the School Board granted employees a one-time stipend of $1,000 to acknowledge the hard work that went into the ranking, Milton and board members said at the time. The state has not released district performance scores for the 2024-25 school year, but Milton teased the possibility that West Feliciana again will lead the state and another stipend could be forthcoming. Another highlight from recent state reports show that West Feliciana High School was second in the state for scores on the American College Test, with students averaging 20.2 points on the 36-point ACT. Milton said only eight states require all students to take the ACT, and West Feliciana had a higher average score than all eight. The parish also was first in the state for a new measurement of literacy amid a state push in that area. A state report said 78.9% of students in kindergarten through third grade were reading at or above grade level. Milton also recognized Kalyn Metcalf and Jacob Church, who were finalists for state “new teacher of the year,” and Delanea Buffalo, who was a finalist for state teacher of the year. Having three finalists in the state competition is exceptional for a district of West Feliciana’s size, he said. Milton also recognized coaches of last year’s state champion girls track team, noting that the athletic program added power lifting last year and will begin a wrestling program this year. During the summer break, Bains Lower Elementary School and the Family Service Center received
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Bains Lower Elementary prekindergarten student Hadley Tubbs gets down to work with teacher Caroline McKnight.
Off ‘to a great start’
West Feliciana High School seniors Rylee Owens and Anna Milton are all smiles as they kick off another school year on Aug. 7.
Smooth is the word West Feliciana Superintendent Hollis Milton used to describe the first day of school in the parish. “Our first day back to school in West Feliciana is off to a great start; one of the best starts in my 15 years as superintendent,” Milton said of Thursday’s return to class. He said drivers experienced “the usual congestion this morning,” but anticipates that will improve as more students use school buses in coming weeks. “Overall, it’s been a very smooth day filled with student smiles and enthusiastic teachers ready to kick off a fantastic new school year,” Milton said. Sa’Naya Berry, Dereon Kaigler, Dariona Sibley, Shanterrius Robinson, Sha’Tyrah McQuirter and Marianna Baker gather Aug. 7 during lunch in the courtyard on the first day of school. ä More photos. PAGE 2G
ä See SCHOOLS, page 2G
Library happenings include crosswalk survey Leila Pitchford AROUND THE FELICIANAS
The LSU AgCenter’s East Feliciana Extension has a map of Clinton displayed at the Clinton branch of Audubon Regional Library. It is leading an effort to make the town safer for walkers of all ages. Stop by the library and place up to two star stickers on the town map to show where you think crosswalks are most needed. n All the Audubon Regional Library Branches have a blood pressure monitoring session available as well as units to check out for home use.
Police jurors renew engineering contract despite committee recommending another firm BY JAMES MINTON Contributing writer
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The LSU AgCenter’s East Feliciana Office has a map of Clinton set up at the Audubon Library. Stop by to suggest ä See AROUND, page 3G crosswalk places.
On a split vote Aug. 4, the East Feliciana Parish Police Jury elected to renew a contract with its engineering firm, although a committee had recommended another company. The jury chose Forte and Tablada Inc. on a 6-2 vote over Quality Engineering and Surveying, which the Finance Committee had recommended.
ä See CONTRACT, page 3G