The Natchez-Adams School Board said good-bye to one school member Thursday night soon after welcoming a new one. Craig Langnes was sworn into office Thursday prior to the board’s regular meeting. He replaced Terry Estes, who stepped down from the school board after 10 years of service.

&uot;A lot of good things are happening,&uot; Estes said. &uot;Natchez has a good school system.&uot;

The school district honored Estes Thursday with a reception and with special recognition prior to the start of Thursday’s regular meeting.

&uot;I wouldn’t trade this 10 years for anything,&uot; Estes said.

The Adams County Board of Supervisors appointed Langnes to the school board last month and he was sworn into office Thursday by board President Kenneth Taylor.

Langnes said he found his first board meeting to be interesting. &uot;I was really impressed,&uot; he said.

The board members were able to make quick decisions without a great deal of debate and with all the information they needed readily available, he said.

During the meeting, Langnes also opted against taking a salary eligible for all board members.

&uot;I didn’t take it for a salary,&uot; Langnes said. &uot;I took it for the kids.&uot;

School board members have the option of earning $200 a month or a certain dollar amount per meeting with the maximum amount allowed being $2,400 annually.

Also on Thursday, the school board elected new officers for 2001.

As opposed to previous years, the board decided to make their nominations and cast their votes verbally in open session.

&uot;This year we decided we would do it openly,&uot; Taylor said.

This insures that the public is aware of the actions of the board members, Taylor said.

The board elected Taylor as president, Dr. Norris Edney as vice-president and Don Marion as secretary.

Taylor was reelected for his second years as president by acclimation because he was the only nomination.

A presidential nomination for Edney made by Marion died for lack of a second.

&uot;I would like to think my board for having the confidence in me to serve another term as president,&uot; Taylor said.

He also congratulated the other board members on their elected offices.