At its June 10 regular meeting, Superintendent James Miller spoke to the Freedom School Board at length – using numerous spreadsheets and charts – about how he is attempting to find ways to reduce expenses for next school year.

Revenue (particularly ad valorem revenue) has been on a steady downward trend over the last five years, and the 2020 estimated appropriation will be almost $250,000 less than in 2019, which itself was more than $90,000 less than in the previous year.

Meanwhile, payroll has increased, due to legislated teacher raises but also because of hiring a full-time superintendent,...