Union Superintendent Hits The Road For Education

FARMERVILLE, La. (AP) — Union Parish Superintendent George Cannon is determined to help the school district reverse the downward spiral that's reducing its finances and effecting its ability to move forward.

Cannon is talking to members of the community to learn what's important to them and how they think the district's limited financial resources should best be allocated.

Union Parish operates on a $30 million general fund budget and is one of the lowest funded districts in the state receiving only 23 mills yearly in property taxes. It has only $240,000 in surplus, which Cannon said is about enough to run the district for one week.

The News-Star reports the school system trimmed about $1 million from its budget for the current fiscal year by reducing expenses and employee positions.