If plans work out, Natchez may have its first community-wide homecoming parade next fall.

&uot;Basically what it is, is a community-wide effort to recognize our children,&uot;&160;said Brenda Williams, principal at Natchez High School. &uot;It’s just an opportunity to celebrate the students.&uot;

The leaders of the Natchez-Adams School District, Adams County Christian School, Trinity Episcopal School and Cathedral School discussed the idea at a meeting recently with the Natchez Police Department.

In past years, students have formed their own parades and driven around town the day before their Homecomings, said Natchez Police Chief Willie Huff.

And sometimes the students have driven through other Adams County campuses taunting students.

None of these activities are school-sanctioned, and police have been discouraging them, Huff said.

If Natchez has a large homecoming parade it would give the schools other ways to celebrate.

&uot;If it comes to fruition that’s fine,&uot; Huff said. &uot;If it doesn’t, that’s fine.&uot;

The different schools still need to work out details.

The group is considering having the event on a school day.

The schools will need to coordinate t football schedules and transportation may be a problem for the private schools.

Trinity Episcopal Headmaster Michael Hannan admitted he wasn’t sure about the idea. &uot;We haven’t ruled it out,&uot;&160;he said.

But the parade will cut into the school day and the private schools don’t have bus transportation like the public schools, he said.

Cathedral Principal Scott Fleming agreed the schools had many details to discuss.

&uot;This is still really in the development stage,&uot;&160;Fleming said. &uot;We have to weigh the pros and cons of that.&uot;

Since Natchez has never had this parade, we don’t know if it will minimize Homecoming problems, Fleming said.

Carl Davis, superintendent of the Natchez-Adams Schools, agrees the event will require coordination.

But he also thinks it will bridge gaps in the community.

&uot;We are so isolated, the private schools, the public schools, the catholic schools,&uot; Davis said. &uot;We need to look at it as one community. Why shouldn’t we plan things together?&uot;

Rufus Carlock, headmaster of ACCS, was not available for comment Friday.