The Natchez-Adams School Board heard Thursday from a

non-profit community services organization that wants to locate in the Washington School.

Lamar Beyah, president and CEO of the African American Rite of Passage, said his group hopes to locate at the school.

Beyah had not spoken to anyone about the request to buy the premises or have it donated beforehand and Edney advised him to speak to Morris and board attorney Bruce Kuehnle, bring the proposal back and see what the board could do upon a recommendation.

The organization is part of a &uot;charter school movement around the country,&uot; Beyah said, that is a &uot;faith-based initiative.&uot;

Beyah and his wife Aretha, who is from Natchez, started the same organization in St. Louis, Mo., the first in that city.

J.W. Seibert III also appeared before the board Thursday on behalf of Butch Johnson to transfer the lease from Johnson to Big River Farms Partnership. While the board

does allow that, Kuehnle said, the board decided to discuss whether it would allow Big River Farms Partnership keep the first refusal right that leasees hold. The right allows the current leasee to match the highest and best bidder on the lease when it comes back to be rebid.

Normally, when the property changes hands the first refusal is waived.

&uot;We thought that is would be appropriate at this time … to rethink the normal position,&uot; Seibert said.

The hunting and fishing property being leased is landlocked by agricultural property the partnership already leases.

Board member Johnny Dale expressed concern that giving the partnership the right of first refusal might negate the competitive nature of bringing in bids.

Edney said the board would discuss the proposal further in executive session.

Assistant Superintendent Larry Little announced a committee would be formed of parents and educators to evaluate the current dress code regulations and enforcement.

&uot;We have the recommendations from the schools on the persons to serve on that committee,&uot; Little said.

A study of the dress code was last done in 1999.

Little said a report would be filed with the board in November or December.

&uot;We cannot stop all problems but we can be more clear and orderly,&uot; Edney said.

Of the three schools being evaluated by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools for accreditation &045; both primary schools, both elementary schools and the high school &045; all five successfully completed.