NATCHEZ — The cost of repairing sagging floors at Robert Lewis Middle School could make a good case for erecting a brand new school, board members agreed Thursday.

In a last-minute addition to the Natchez-Adams School Board’s regular meeting agenda Thursday, the board voted unanimously to ask for bids for what could be up to $2.5 million in repairs to the floors at Robert Lewis Middle School.

Apparently, students complained to teachers that their books and school supplies had been sliding off of their desks because the floors in one classroom in particular are sagging toward the center, Operations Manager Larnell Ford said.

Ford said he measured the floor and found that there was a 2.5-inch variance between edge of the floor in that classroom and the center of the floor.

“We would be negligent to ignore it,” board member Thelma Newsome said.

Ford said architects from Waycaster and Associates evaluated the problems and gave a cost estimate for repairs.

Ford also said a similar problem with sagging floors was repaired five years ago in different classrooms at Robert Lewis.

He also said upon Waycaster and Associates’ recent inspection, they discovered a number of other classrooms with the same problem with the floors.

Board President Wayne Barnett said the cost of renovating the Robert Lewis building could provide evidence and incentive to community members and government boards about the need to build new schools.

“This can be used as a lobbying factor,” Barnett said.

Board member Dr. Benny Wright agreed that taking bids for the necessary repairs made a good case for funding a new building.

“(Taking bids) would be a wise move to make, and we’ll see how the community responds,” Wright said.

Board Attorney Bruce Kuehnle advised the board to take bids regardless, before the floor situation becomes a safety hazard to students.

He noted that in 2006, the board waited to take bids and the problem grew worse, forcing authorities to declare it an emergency situation, which prevents the board from taking bids in favor of making repairs as fast as possible.

On a related note, the board voted unanimously to hire a firm to conduct a comprehensive study of the school district with a focus on school facilities and grade-level organization.

Assistant Superintendent Morris Stanton said the study would address some concerns proposed by a meeting with other community leaders hosted by the Natchez Adams County Chamber of Commerce’s education committee last year. It would also address previously voiced concerns about the grade-level organization at each school.

At the chamber-hosted “Get on the Bus,” tour of school facilities, a number of Adams County supervisors, chamber members, school board members and Natchez aldermen noted the poor shape of the school buildings, specially noting Robert Lewis.

The contract with Bailey Education Group will cost $38,000, to be paid using federal funds. The study will take 60 to 90 days and include input from staff, administrators and the community.

In other news from Thursday’s meeting:

• Natchez Inc. Executive Director Chandler Russ talked to the board about what the district can do to prepare students for the workforce locally and regionally.

“What it is that’s needed from a leg-up standpoint, in talking with business and industries…is strength in math, science and communications,” Russ said.

Russ also suggested continuing programs like Mississippi Scholars and adding the program “Dream it. Do it,” which focuses on manufacturing jobs.

“One of the stigmas is that if you don’t go to college, that’s the end of the world for you,” Russ said. “But quite frankly, that’s not the case.”

Russ said he would act as a liaison between the district officials and new industries in town to start a dialogue between the district and those industries. Wright said he hoped a dialogue could help the district cater curriculum to the needs of the local workforce.

• The following Natchez High School students received awards in the statewide Mississippi World Trade Center 2011 Young Artist Showcase Finalists: Peter Foster, second place; Alex Clem, honorable mention; Jeremy Gaylor, honorable mention; Deontre’ Terrell, honorable mention; and Brittany Conrad, honorable mention.

• McLaurin Elementary School Principal Alice Morrison was recognized on behalf of the school by Interim Superintendent Joyce Johnson as the recent recipient of a National Title I Distinguished School.

•Johnson said Federal Programs Director Marilyn Alexander-Turner was the recipient of the Mississippi Association of Federal Program Administrators State Leadership Award.