NATCHEZ, Miss. -- If the community wants to see Natchez grow, Natchez-Adams Schools officials say the growth begins with education.
Natchez-Adams School District Deputy Superintendent Zandra McDonald said when industries come to town among the top of their list of questions is the quality of public schools. McDonald said Natchez officials are touting the Concordia Parish and Franklin County school districts to prospects, not Natchez.
"We understand accountability," McDonald said. "This is not an overnight fix, but we are taking proactive steps to make sure the academic status of our district is something that can move our community forward."
School district officials say approving the May 23, $35 million bond issue to support the district's building plan would help teacher recruitment, improve security, improve the technology capacity and the new environment could improve student performance. All worth the increase in taxes necessary to pay for the bond, they say.
On the other hand, some in the community wonder what the increased tax burden might do to businesses and the segment of the community that do not qualify for homestead exemptions.
School Board President Amos James said he is paying taxes on five houses and he would not support this bond measure if he did not think the children were worth the investment.
"I wouldn't impose nothing on someone else that I am not doing to myself," James said. "I think we need to do whatever we can do to get new schools built and renovated. It's also going to bring up the property value."
Mayor Darryl Grennell said he is still trying to make up his own mind on this issue, and he said his concern is the tax burden.
NASD Superintendent Fred Butcher said the tax increase would be less than 40 cents a day for the taxpayer owning a property with an assessed value of $100,000 and a vehicle worth $15,000.
The district projects 8.8 to 9.9 mills would have to be leveed to repay the bonds. On the high end -- 9.9 mills -- the cost for a house with an assessed value of $100,000 would be an additional $99 per year, while at the 8.8 mill rate the increase would be $88 per year.
The district would have to make payments on the bond for up to 20 years.
"One of the things that concerns me is a lack of jobs," Grennell said. "We have to make sure we have the economic stability here in Natchez-Adams County in order for people to handle that increase in taxes."
Adams County Board of Supervisors President Mike Lazarus said he can afford the increase, but he has heard from many who cannot. Lazarus said he is concerned about businesses in particular.
"The (CoreCivic) prison is paying something like $1 million in taxes now," Lazarus said. "A 20-percent increase for them is not the same as it is for me and you.
"Could this force any layoffs? The closure of some businesses? The last thing we want to do is lose jobs."
However, to have economic development for the future, Natchez Inc. Executive Director Chandler Russ said Natchez needs a viable public school district.
"Obviously a good environment for students is important and the facilities are dated," Russ said. "From the technology standpoint and infrastructure standpoint, the district needs some updating.
"Hopefully some of that will also trickle into a vocational-technical piece -- that is what we hope. Some of those jobs are paying as much or more as jobs for college grads."
Lazarus said he wishes Natchez leaders would have had the foresight decades ago to upgrade the facilities a little at a time instead of letting the buildings get to the point they are now.
"I agree we need new schools," Lazarus said. "Having a (good) school system does attract industry -- so there are pluses and minuses to both sides.
"I just wish it had been done differently. It's a shame we couldn't have done something over time that is more affordable."
Grennell said he wondered if the school district instead of the large bond bill could focus on enhancements in key areas like providing laboratories, technology and other important infrastructure for students.
Parent Ida Anderson said, even though her child is graduating from the district, many of the district's facilities need an overhaul to improve the safety and technology elements.
"I think this is absolutely one of the most important projects we can undertake here in the Natchez-Adams School District," Anderson said. "Studies have shown that a conducive learning environment produces increased performance in students.
"The investment will pay off, for not only students of today, but tomorrow. It will be a tremendous blessing in our community."
Natchez High needs a lot of work, Anderson said. The openness of the campus makes Anderson worry the school is a major disaster waiting to happen, she said.
"An individual, from whichever manner they chose, can get into the campus," Anderson said.
Another concern of the open campuses is that in many of them, the children are required to be exposed to the elements often, which increases the likelihood they get sick, Anderson said.
"It can be raining, extremely hot or extremely cold, whatever the situation may be, our children are subjected to that," Anderson said. "If our children are sick with a cold, the flu, sinus issues, etc., that's time they are not in attendance. It creates a domino effect on performance.
"We need to approve the bond to put our kids in a condition where they can be healthy, safe and focus on learning."
Butcher said he is aware of the argument, "Is a failing school district worth the investment?"
Butcher said he argues a failing school district needs more investment to succeed.
"The district is failing because things are lacking," Butcher said. "We are a failing school district, should we not have equal chance in order for our students to compete at a higher level?
"We are a failing school district, should we not be able to attract the best teachers that are coming out at this time? Should we not be able to attract and help grow administrators who are active, productive and innovative?
"We are not proud that we work in a failing school district, but we feel like if we can change the academic rating of the school district, everyone will be proud -- proud to work here and stay here. We have to be all in and make a complete commitment, not just for the students, but for the community as well."
Butcher said in the educational formula, the teachers and the parents are the most important element for student success. Attracting teachers and keeping them is a challenge for the district, Butcher said.
At a recent recruitment meeting, McDonald said after a teacher listened to NASD's pitch, they then listened to one from a school district from the coast. McDonald said the representative pointed out the teacher could make more money on the coast, have more support and that district was constantly upgrading its facilities.
"I am offering one price, and the school on the coast can offer $10,000 more," McDonald said. "That is a challenge. New facilities give us another point to attract and retain new teachers."
NASD Public Relations Coordinator Steven Richardson said safety and welfare on the open campuses could cause issues.
"The children are looking around corners of the open campus to make sure they are safe," he said. "What is that saying about our community?
"Many of the students say, 'So this is what we deserve because this is what they send us to.' This does impact student performance."
The buildings were not built to support the technology infrastructure of today, Richardson said.
"These are not the students like we were when we were in school," Richardson said. "The students today come out of the womb tech savvy and they are ready for the best. They learn fast, but you have to keep their attention."
The lack of computers, lack of computer lab space and lack of Internet bandwidth causes headaches for students, particularly during test time, McDonald said.
"There are times we just cannot connect, which delays the start of testing," she said. "That affects focus if you go in ready to start at 9 a.m. and technical glitches cause delays because you cannot connect to the Internet."
On stormy days, with all the windows on Natchez High School, Richardson said that could cause safety concerns as well as distractions.
"If I'm concerned about my safety because of what the wind might blow through the window, I'm not focusing on school work," he said.
Richardson said the air-conditioning units are so old that the district cannot afford to keep patching them up. The noise of the old units is also a distraction. New air and heating units would also be amongst the savings new facilities would provide the district in upkeep and energy costs, Richardson said.
Butcher said should the community approve the buildings, he knows a lot of work will still be ahead.
"It's a big project," Butcher said. "But we are willing to put the overtime in and have a positive impact on the community. I know we can have a positive impact on the community."
The special election will be on May 23. The resolution must pass with 60-percent voter approval.
