GEORGE WELCH ELEMENTARY

School History

In paying tribute to one of the community’s great leaders, the Ouachita Parish School Board, with the support of the taxpayers, built a new elementary school in 1989 nestled in the Forty Oaks Farm area of western Ouachita Parish. They elected to name it George W. Welch Elementary School. Mr. Welch was a teacher and then the beloved principal at Crosley Elementary School for many years before he became superintendent of the Ouachita Parish School System. In addition to his many accomplishments in the parish school system and local area, Mr. Welch helped pass legislation that joined the Ouachita Junior College with the LSU system, which we know today as University of Louisiana at Monroe. Mr. Welch passed away in 1986, but his dedication to local education lives on today through our school.

The school opened in the fall of 1989 under the administration of Mr. Vance Smith, who served as principal until the summer of 2013. He continued to serve the school system as Director of Elementary Schools until his retirement. Mrs. Sharon Sanders served as principal from 2013 – 2020. Ms. Veronicia Wood was appointed as principal in July of 2020.