NATCHEZ — Some Natchez-Adams School Board members demanded to know at Thursday’s regular meeting what will change this year to pull the district up from its low state ranking.

“We got the test scores, and we celebrated (some of the results), but we’re still at risk of failing. What are we doing different this year than we did last year?” board member Benny Wright asked.

State accountability reports were made public today, labeling NASD as “at risk of failing,” which is the sixth tier of a seven-tier ranking system.

Superintendent Anthony Morris said the district hired a school improvement coordinator, who will work primarily on restructuring schools in improvement stages.

Federal Programs Director Marilyn Alexander-Turner said schools now have a federally funded staff to teach other teachers how to use the new technology, since some teachers were not comfortable using the equipment last year.

Turner said new instructional facilitators should improve teaching methods in the schools.

Robert Lewis Middle School Principal Sekufele Lewankia said the middle school has restructured scheduling to better accommodate students’ individual needs.

Board member David Troutman said he finds it unfair to label a district based on test scores, because comparing one group of students to the a different set of individuals in the same age group from the year before does not procure an accurate assessment.

“We’re comparing apples to oranges,” Troutman said.

“Diagonally on test scores, we’re not doing too badly,” he said

Troutman congratulated McLaurin Elementary for their improved test scores and “successful” state rating.

McLaurin Principal Alice Morrison and Assistant Principal Daisy West accepted a plaque for their achievement early in the meeting.

Troutman acknowledged the benefits of a new system as Central Alternative School allowing students to earn degrees, such as a GED, through computer testing.

He also congratulated West Primary for its turnout of 100 parents at a recent open house and the Natchez High School for winning three football games.

In other business

4 A majority vote ruled against the superintendent’s recommendation to hire an undisclosed candidate to replace the former human resources director. Board members Thelma Newsome, Benny Wright and Harold Barnett voted for a motion to keep the position open and instruct the superintendent to disseminate the duties of the human resource director among the existing administration.

Board member Dale Steckler voted against the motion not to hire a new human resources director, and Troutman abstained from the vote.

When Morris asked permission to explain the duties of the human resources director position after the vote, board president Barnett denied him the opportunity and suggested the board move on.

4 The board voted unanimously to enter into a contract with Energy Education. According to the contract, the company should reduce the district’s energy costs over a period of 10 years for a net savings of $2,498,100.

Included in the contract is a staff member to be jointly selected by Energy Education and the administration from within the district, who will be trained to educate NASD students about energy efficiency.