Barkley to challenge Allen
, Publisher
07-29-2010
As a parent with four children and one grand child all across the spectrum within the Union Parish school system, Shannon Johnston Barkley has a keen interest in the future of public education in Union Parish.
That interest has led Barkley to run for a seat on the Union Parish School Board. The Downsville resident will run for the District 5 seat against incumbent Howard Allen on Oct 2.
“I’ve always been active with my children’s education and within the community and with the school here,’’ Barkley said. “As a parent with children of various ages, I might be able to offer more to the table. I hate to see all the controversy going on and causing problems. I felt I would throw my hat in the ring and offer something new.’’
Barkley said the most recent controversy within the Union Parish system, which has resulted in the closing of three high schools – including her district’s Downsville High School – and consolidating them into Farmerville High School – pushed her to run for the Board seat.
“I graduated from Farmerville High School and I care about the whole parish,’’ Barkley said. “I’m afraid with all the issues the parish is suffering, we’re losing so many children. Maybe we can come up with some new idea to keep from losing so many kids in the parish.’’
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