NATCHEZ — The spring semester at Robert Lewis Middle School last year went from bad to worse in the eyes of much of the community.

In April district officials had a community meeting to explain that failing test scores at the school would soon mean a restructuring plan must be implemented.

The consequences meant the school must face drastic options, including replacing most of the staff or becoming a charter school.

Two days later police had to be called to the middle school to break up a student protest.

A series of community meetings followed, and tensions at the school rose, some teachers said.

And this year, school will start with a new administrative staff, but without some experienced teachers.

At least five teachers have retired or resigned since May.

That’s a number that Superintendent Anthony Morris says isn’t abnormal.

But some of the departing teachers say the events of the spring contributed to their decision.

Leigh Anne Mason was serving as the chair of the math department and taught algebra at RLMS since 2002.

“The revolt day really put the icing on the cake for me,” she said of the student protest. “It’s not that anything bad happened, it’s just not how school is supposed to be.”

Mason will be teaching at Vidalia Junior High School this year.

“It was the uncertainty of not knowing what would happen,” she said. “They said we might wipe out this entire faculty. I’ve got to go. I’ve got to work, because someone could tell me I don’t have a job.”

William “Buddy” Givens worked as a lead teacher at the school for the last two years. He is working on his masters in education and was on an administrative track. He’ll also move to VJHS when school starts.

“I left because I received an offer from a school system that seemed to offer me a better teaching opportunity and future opportunities to grow as an educator,” Givens said. “I’m going toward something instead of leaving something.”

Givens said the new administration at RLMS must come in and work to understand the factors that influence the students.

“The building-level principal is going to have to be very skilled in how to establish a positive school culture,” he said. “At our school the principal has been one who has spent all their time and energy trying to keep order.”

A new principal and two assistants have been hired at the school. All three are new to Natchez.

Larry Hooper, the interim principal at RLMS last year, won’t be returning this year, but the choice wasn’t his, he said.

Hooper was at the center of multiple community meetings last year after a reported suspension for testing violations. Hooper said his suspension was appealed and overturned.

Morris said last week that there was no suspension, but said he couldn’t comment further on personnel matters.

Hooper, who is now principal at William Winans Middle School in Centreville, said he asked for a hearing when his contract wasn’t renewed, but it was denied.

Morris said statue only requires such hearings for long-time administrators. Hooper was in his first year with the district.

Morris said the turnover at RLMS was to be expected after the announcement of a pending restructuring.

“You probably are at risk of losing folks,” he said. “Though no one has had those conversations with me. Of course it raises everyone’s anxiety level. But the majority know they need to stay the course, continue to make revisions.”

School starts Aug. 8.