By Leah Schwarting

NATCHEZ — The Natchez-Adams County School District Board of Trustees approved four licensure applications Friday.

Three of the licenses were expert citizen licensures.

“It is a license that will allow them to come in and teach,” Patsy Smith, human resources manager for the district, said.

An expert citizen licensure allows someone with knowledge in an area to have a year for training in a school district.

A fourth application for a one-year educator licensure request for a veteran teacher was also considered. With the one-year educator licensure, the applicant already has a license and is applying for a license in another educational area.

The licenses are good for one year, during which time the licensees can receive the additional classes, training and experience they need. The state has the final say, but the board passes on the applications.

“We’ve got to approve the application before they even process it,” Timothy Blalock, the school’s president, said.

The board approved all license requests. Both motions to approve the licensures were made by Board Member Cynthia Smith and seconded by Board Member Amos James Jr.

Both passed unanimously.

The Natchez-Adams County School Board also approved the adoption of Edgenuity software for schools in the district.

The new My Path software is aimed at helping students improve standards.

“We’re going to pilot it at Morgantown,” Dr. Tanisha Smith, deputy superintendent, said, referring to the middle school.

The Edgenuity Virtual Curriculum Solutions program will also be used for high school students in addition to the current Mississippi Virtual School program.

Board Secretary Thelma Newsome moved for approval and Smith seconded. The motion passed 5-0.

The board changed Natchez Early College Academy’s start time from 8:15 a.m. to 8 a.m. The start time had originally been changed to 8:15 a.m. because the district hoped to give the school its own separate facility away from Natchez High School.

However, the school is staying where it is for now.

“There’s no way we can logistically make it,” Natchez-Adams County School District Superintendent Frederick Hill said.

The date to move the school was originally pushed back to January, but the Mississippi Department of Education wanted to be involved in the planning and provide some funds.

So the date had to be pushed back again so they could be involved from the start of the school year.

James made the motion to change the start time. Board Vice President Dr. Benny Wright seconded, and the motion passed 5-0.

The board also approved personnel recommendations. The motion to do so was made by Newsome and seconded by Wright, passing unanimously.

Blalock said he would not release the names of names of personnel the board approved hiring Friday morning because “because the minutes of the meeting had not been approved.”

At the end of the meeting, the board went into closed session to discuss a request for a student to transfer school districts. James made a motion to accept the transfer and Wright seconded.

The motion passed 5-0.

The board is scheduled to reconvene at 1 p.m. Wednesday to discuss further personnel matters.