Natchez-Adams School Board members, many of whom are relatively new to their positions, are faced with a number of challenges.

They must hire a new superintendent in coming months as well as cope with a loss of tax revenue when International Paper closes its Natchez mill.

But rather than shy away from those challenges, the five board members have chosen to meet them head on, setting goals for school system and holding themselves accountable for meeting those goals.

During an eight-hour retreat Saturday, board members heard advice from a consultant before setting a consensus agenda for improving the school district. Among their goals:

4Becoming a Level 5 school in terms of state-tracked test scores.

4Making sure that every child graduates well-prepared for college, technical school or the world of work.

4Developing students who are also technologically literate, are good citizens and become confident, lifelong learners.

4Developing a high-performing staff with specific job descriptions.

The school board’s agenda is one that we all must buy into &045; teachers, students, administrators and residents. The employees and students of the school district need our support.

But we’re also impressed with the school board’s agenda because it offers all of us a blueprint for how to proceed as the community itself faces difficult times.

Like the school board, we need to work toward common goals &045; with a common strategy &045; and we need to hold ourselves accountable for the results.