NATCHEZ — Shortly after the Natchez-Adams School Board members compared their wish lists of school building upgrades and overhauls, they started talking about the first part of the solution — funding the fixes.

The board reconvened last week’s regular board meeting Monday to discuss facilities and other issues.

Adjustment of personnel costs was one measure the board discussed as an option to pay for some of the changes proposed.

Board member David Troutman pointed out that the list of problems with school facilities board members sounded off about —renovations of all bathrooms, landscaping at all schools, possibly a new middle school building and more — all cost money to fix that the district doesn’t have.

Board member Thelma Newsome said if the district reorganizes and consolidates some two-year schools into a single kindergarten through fifth grade school like their outside consultant has suggested, they might find savings.

“We will probably end up cutting personnel, and that will save us some money,” Newsome said.

The board also discussed cutting the amount of paid days for non-teaching positions within the district.

Newsome initially made a motion asking Interim Superintendent Joyce Johnson to come up with a list of employees who work 240 paid days. She initially suggested the number of paid, working days be cut to 230 to save money.

Johnson’s staff gave board members a list of 16 certified employees working 240 or more days with salaries ranging from $40,433 to $117,000. According to a handout, if the board cut 10 days for those 16 employees, it would create a savings of $48,458 in local dollars and $10,530 in federal dollars.

After some discussion, however, board members amended Newsome’s request, giving Johnson direction to come up with a list of all employees, with the exception of teachers, whose number of paid days could be cut.

Assistant Superintendent Morris Stanton clarified that teachers had to work a certain number of days according to law.

The board also instructed Johnson to come up with a list of teachers whose contracts might not be renewed should the board decide to reduce the number of staff members all together.

Board member Dr. Benny Wright also suggested the board consider making personnel changes in those schools which have been in “school improvement” and “restructuring,” but have not yet had a change in administration.

“I don’t think (the board has) enough attention paid to taking the strongest steps necessary to lead to corrective action to improve student achievement,” Wright said.

Johnson’s staff also handed out the district’s current salary scale of every district employee to the board members for their consideration.

The board scheduled a work session for 3:30 p.m. on March 28, in which they plan to come up with their own ideas for reorganization and facility improvement. They also agreed to meet at 4 p.m. April 3, with consultant Gary Bailey, who is in the process of conducting an organization and facility study for the district.

Newsome suggested the board meet together for the work session so they might be able to come up with their own strategic plan, with the help of Johnson, and compare it with Bailey’s suggestions.