Tanner takes helm, makes changes at FHS

FRANKLINTON -- Walking through the halls of Franklinton High School last Wednesday morning, Principal Lisa Tanner was approached by faculty, parents and students — all with an assortment of questions on various topics.

And school hasn’t even started yet.

But that’s the way it goes at Washington Parish’s biggest high school. And Tanner, in her first year as principal, is instituting a number of changes that she hopes will make FHS even better.

“We’re working toward two paths: vocational and college bound,” said Tanner, who was officially made the principal on June 1 after a school board vote. Former Principal Beverly Sheridan retired last school year.

Tanner and her faculty have been analyzing school test data, and trying to figure out ways to better serve the student body.

“Everybody will be successful,” Tanner said.

Gone are the days of not attempting to teach a child even if they don’t appear to be ready for the high school level when they reach the ninth grade, she said.

Not all students are ready for algebra or geometry when they get to school, Tanner said.

So, school officials have come up with other courses like “math essentials,” which cuts down on the geometric theorems and algebraic equations, and gives students the math they are more likely to see in the real world. And while completing higher math classes might provide a more distinguished diploma, a math essentials course will still qualify students to graduate, said Tanner.

FHS will also expand its dual enrollment program with Louisiana Technical College and Southeastern University to include more opportunities for students to get college credits.

Another change to begin this school year is the implementation of a positive behavior support program, which provides incentives for students with good attendance and no disciplinary problems.

“I don’t beat down, I pick up,” Tanner said. “I do believe we have to give the children incentives.”

The principal is also looking at ways to increase school pride, and plans to bring back the school mascot, a demon. Tanner also plans to get students involved in creating class competitions such as attendance at events throughout the year.

Tanner said her goal in the coming year hinges on “commitment to continuous improvement, authentic student engagement in the classroom, increased community and parent involvement and academic excellence.”

Additionally, she said she wants to “provide rigor and relevance for all students at Franklinton High School.”

Eventually, Tanner said she wants to have FHS become a 4 star - model school in the state on the annual school report card evaluation, ultimately reaching exemplary growth within the next 4 years.

Tanner, born and raised in Bogalusa, has been an educator for more than 20 years, beginning as a foreign language teacher at Columbia Academy and Bogalusa High. She was later an assistant principal at Bogalusa Junior High and principal at Pleasant Hill Elementary in Bogalusa before becoming an assistant principal at FHS in 2006. She and her husband, Bobby Tanner, have three children, Ryan, Megan and Lane, all of whom will be attending the University of Southern Mississippi this year. Tanner graduated from USM in 1985.