NATCHEZ — Due to ongoing health concerns, Cynthia Smith said she is resigning from the Natchez-Adams School Board.

In a letter to the Adams County Board of Supervisors, Smith wrote she would like to be replaced as soon as possible.

Smith said Wednesday she is facing an ailment that requires her to miss many meetings and she believes the district would be better served by a person who could give the position 100 percent.

“I have to miss so much with my issues,” Smith said. “I hate that, but that’s the way it is.”

After Ruth Nichols resigned from the school board in 2014, Smith was appointed to take Nichols’ place.

“I do appreciate the support of the supervisors, the school board and others — they have all been more than helpful to me,” Smith said. “I have enjoyed my time on the board for the past three and a half years.

“I just felt like the board would be best represented by someone who could give it their full-time effort.”

Before serving as a board member, Smith had retired from the district as the principal of Robert Lewis Middle School. She had served as an administrator for approximately three years. Before that, she had served the district as a guidance counselor for 10 years and was a math teacher for 13 years.

“I have had a history with the Natchez-Adams School District for a long time,” Smith said. “I have enjoyed serving the kids of Natchez in many ways.”

After retiring in Natchez in 2004, Smith went on to be a guidance counselor for six years at Vidalia High School, where she first met Fred Butcher, who is now the Natchez-Adams School District superintendent.

Butcher said he has been impressed with her service in both Concordia Parish and Adams County.

“I first met Mrs. Smith while she was an educator in the Concordia Parish School District and without hesitation, she has always desired to do what was fair and in the best interest of all students,” Butcher said. “Upon her retirement from Concordia Parish School District, she continued to put the successful education of students first while she served as a board member of NASD.”

Butcher said he wanted to thank Smith for her service to the district and its students over the years.

“Mrs. Smith will be greatly missed from her service to the board but her dedication to the board and its students will always be remembered,” Butcher said. “I ask God’s continued blessings for her and her family.”

Board President Amos James said he regretted Smith having to step down.

“I thank her for her presence on the board — she has been a great asset,” James said. “We are going to miss her. I wish her well.”

Supervisors’ President Mike Lazarus said he tried to talk her into remaining, but that her health concerns were serious.

Lazarus said he hoped the board would make a decision on an appointment on April 17 at the supervisors’ next regularly scheduled meeting.

People interested in serving should contact their supervisor or Corvet McNeal at 601-304-7802, Lazarus said.

Smith said she hopes her successor will put the students first.

“I just hope that whoever is chosen has the kids’ best interest in heart,” she said. “I think they will or they wouldn’t be chosen to serve.”