NATCHEZ &045;&045; The new face around the administrative table at the Natchez-Adams School District brings a wide-range of experience to the district.

Beverly Raines, who started as personnel director on July 1, spent 15 years working for Entergy including being a chemist at the Grand Gulf plant, two years for an emergency planning company and two years in New York focusing on employee concerns.

&uot;I saw the opening here and thought it was a great opportunity to expand my training,&uot; Raines said. &uot;And give back to the school and bring in some outside experience.&uot;

Raines, originally from Brookhaven, has a bachelor of science in biology from Alcorn State University and a masters in secondary education.

So far, Raines has spent her first few weeks on the job preparing personnel for the coming year. Her responsibilities include making sure the district is fully staffed and preparing teacher induction and convocation ceremonies.

&uot;The biggest challenge was coming in after the position was vacant for three or four months,&uot; she said. &uot;Policies and manuals take up most of my day and people dropping by looking for jobs.&uot;

The personnel director position opened up in April when former director Frederick Longs resigned for personal reasons.

&uot;It’s going great,&uot; Raines said. &uot;It is a great learning experience for me and I think I can bring a lot to the district coming from the private industry.&uot;

Superintendent Anthony Morris said in April that the personnel director was a key position for the district.

In addition to daily duties the personnel director is also responsible for making a yearly report on behalf of the district for the state and federal levels.