I want to strongly state that I oppose an elected school board. Having an appointed school board works to put people with the proper educational and business backgrounds on the board to make the decisions that are best for the overall community. Removing politics from the decisions of the board is the best way to get the best policies.

I grew up with my father, Tom Reed, always talking about the various ways to run the government of the city and the county. He had been the director of the chamber commerce and with no other staff labored to bring in Johns Manville, IP and the Tire and Rubber plant. Natchez had the reputation of having the best school system in the state. Teachers wanted to come here. Maintaining an appointed school board was one of the keys.

Please do not change this policy. We also need to get the whole community behind strong public education. The entire town should be discussing this. Charter schools leave those students who are difficult to educate in the public schools with little funds. We need many groups from all the schools discussing creative ways to bring about a strong public school in the long haul.

Our entire community needs to speak up about this issue because the life of our town and the quality of life for the future generations depends upon this. While all of my children and siblings have left this area and live where public education is supported by all the people, I want to see this cycle change. The cost of private schools is a heavy burden for the parents and a big stumbling block to bringing industry, doctors and new young people.

If we do not change we will continue to get smaller.

We all need to speak up for the generations to come

Mary Jane Reed Gaudet

Natchez resident