By Rupert Howell
North Panola School Superintendent Cedric Richardson told his school board members during Monday night’s monthly meeting that schools are spending too much time testing during the spring semester.

“We have testing going on from the time we get back from spring break until the end of the year,” Richardson said.

Richardson suggested utilizing the ACT (American College Test) in lieu of the PARCC (Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers), a suggestion also voiced by other superintendents across the state.

The first-year superintendent also informed his board that “a lot was going on with (potential) legislation.”

He referred them to a referendum slated for next year’s general election ballot that would fully fund education through an amendment to the state’s Constitution.

He sought the trustee’s assistance with informing local legislators. “Don’t let the legislature vote for a bill to bypass the amendment,” he said.