Under an intergovernmental agreement between the two school districts, CPSB doles out funds for 112 Claiborne Parish students to attend school in Junction City. CPSB also foots the salaries of six Junction City teachers and three additional support persons.

According to Claiborne Parish Superintendent of Schools Janice Williams, the arrangement began more than 90 years ago.

"Students closer to Junction City would attend there since there was no bridge or adequate transportation," Williams said.

With the nearest Claiborne Parish-based school - Summerfield, just 10.95 miles away from Junction City, Arkansas schools, Claiborne is also pitching in on transportation costs for the 112 students. In May the district closed the doors of Athens School, a K through 12 facility citing financial strains and a decrease in enrollment numbers. Those students are expected to be routed to Homer -- the seat of Claiborne Parish located roughly 12 miles away. 

"This agreement has continued throughout the years, with Claiborne providing supplies upon request," Williams said. "Throughout the years a more formal agreement was formed, which required providing MFP funds on a per pupil expenditure."

According to CPSB documents, last year CPSB was slated to provide $5,189 per pupil based on the 2010-11 MFP amount with a total funding of $581,184 including instructional and support staff as well as transportation costs.

In June CPSB slashed 19 jobs and transferred dozens of other employees, with one of those employees being transferred to Junction City.