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Natchez-Adams school board approves MOUs, grant and facility uses; tables dropout plan
Summary
The Natchez-Adams School District board on Aug. 20 approved multiple memoranda of understanding with higher-education and partner schools, accepted a nursing grant, approved facility uses and an out-of-state football trip, and tabled its 2024–25 dropout prevention plan while discussing ESSER spending deadlines and facility repairs.
NATCHEZ, Miss. — The Natchez-Adams School District Board of Trustees approved a string of administrative and financial items at its Aug. 20 regular meeting, accepted a nursing grant, and discussed deadlines for federal ESSER III funds as it moved two personnel items into executive session.
On routine votes, the board approved July meeting minutes and a set of consent items including equipment retirements, policy updates and staff travel. The board also approved the district's July financial reports and claims docket after Business and Finance Manager Timothy Byrd submitted reconciled bank statements, revenue-and-expenditure reports and a monthly cash-flow statement.
The trustees approved two agreements with Copiah-Lincoln Community College (Co-Lin) tied to the Natchez Early College program: a 2024–25 dual-enrollment MOU and a separate MOA covering tuition and fees. The motions passed on roll-call votes as recorded in the minutes. The record also contains a note that Dr. Brenda Robinson registered a "nay" on an item described in the minutes as the NHS football budget; the minutes do not provide a separate roll-call tally for that notation.
The board unanimously accepted funds for the Sprayberry Nurse Grant and approved a 2024–25 MOU with Millcreek Schools. Trustees also approved facility-use requests from Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. to use Natchez High School's cafeteria, gym and classroom space for a teen summit and granted the Natchez Cowboys access to the high-school football field for Little League activities.
The board tabled the 2024–25 Dropout Prevention Plan and removed from the agenda a proposed purchase of Yondr pouches for student-device management; no substantive action was taken on either item.
Federal Programs Director Aquetta Butler told the board that "ESSER III funding ends December 30, 2024. Funds must be obligated by September 30, 2024," and said staff and board members were discussing possible extensions for obligating funds. The comment framed the board's broader discussion about open grants and upcoming procurement deadlines.
Superintendent Zandra McDonald updated trustees on facilities work and grants, saying the district would "begin the RFP process" to seek funding and contractor proposals to replace elementary-school doors. She reported that custodial teams had repaired three major leaks and that HVAC repairs were delayed, with hope of completion in September or October. McDonald also said the child-nutrition program is in a recertification year and that families were asked to complete lunch applications for the new school year.
The board convened an executive session to discuss personnel matters and possible litigation and took no action while in closed session. It returned to open session and adjourned at 6:00 p.m.
The district said the superintendent will provide reorganizational data at the end of the first nine-week grading period. The minutes list no public comments during the meeting.
