NATCHEZ, Miss. (WJTV) – The Board of Trustees for the Natchez-Adams School District (NASD) voted to approve the reorganization of schools (K-8) for the 2024-25 school year.

“This decision was not made lightly but one that we believe will be a significant step forward for our school district, aiming to enhance the quality of education and the overall experience for our children,” said NASD Superintendent Zandra McDonald-Green. “We acknowledge that change is never easy, but it is often necessary to achieve growth and improvement. This reorganization will involve adjustments and transitions that may initially seem challenging. However, we firmly believe that these changes will bring long-term benefits to our students, teachers, and the entire community.”

The Natchez Democrat reported changes will be made to the following schools:

• Susie B. West Elementary will be a pre-kindergarten through first-grade school
• Gilmer McLaurin Elementary will be a second-grade through fourth-grade school
• Morgantown Elementary will be a fifth-grade and sixth-grade school
• Natchez Middle School will be a seventh-grade and eighth-grade school

“School districts throughout the state are struggling to recruit and retain highly qualified teachers. I do not want to open the doors for school in August with serious teacher vacancies, impacting the development of children. While this plan will not fill all of the openings, it will decrease the number of positions we will need to fill,” said McDonald-Green.

The district plans to provide additional information in the coming days and weeks.