Natchez’s two upper elementary schools, Morgantown and McLaurin, are part of a small but unpopular group in the eyes of local school officials. The schools, which house students in grades 2-6, are among the largest elementary schools in the state in student population.

Morgantown has 1,095 students and McLaurin has 953, according to recent numbers from the State Department of Education. Only 26 — or 4 percent — of the 604 K-8 schools in the state have populations higher than McLaurin.

Those 25 include six middle schools that only educate sixth- to eighth-graders or seventh- to eighth-graders. They also include buildings that house a wide range of age combinations, including several that include all grade levels from K-8.

The numbers tell local school officials that bigger is not always better.

The Natchez-Adams School Board has introduced a controversial proposal to reduce the populations at Morgantown and McLaurin. The proposal means changes to a 1989 federal court integration order filed by Natchez residents Phillip and Carolyn West, George and Deborah Harden and Lonnie and Carolyn Nichols.

The order requires the district to operate only the schools presently open.

But according to numbers compiled several years ago by PREPS, a group of educational consultants, the district’s plan would have the desired result of reducing student population — even though it means opening another school.

Under the plan, Morgantown would be reduced to 761 students and McLaurin to 835. Both buildings would be switched to K-6 schools.

The district’s two primary schools, West and Frazier, would also be switched to K-6 schools with populations of 586 and 484 respectively.

A fifth building, Braden School on Homochitto Street would be converted from an office building to a K-6 school for 386 students.

Officials believe students will learn better in the smaller environment and better master skills needed for secondary school.

&uot;I hope our parents will see we’re not only talking about Natchez, we’re talking about making the future for our kids,&uot; said Superintendent Dr. Carl Davis. &uot;We got to make sure we give them a good foundation.&uot;

West Primary School Principal Kate Cole agrees smaller schools are better. She also thinks it is better to keep students at a school longer than just a few years.

At West, students switch schools after finishing first grade.

&uot;Just when you get to know those children (they’ve) gone over to another situation,&uot;&160;Cole said.

Parents are also less likely to be involved, she added.

State Deputy Superintendent R.D. Harris said he also prefers smaller elementary schools.

&uot;It needs to have a family atmosphere,&uot; to help kids get off to a good start, Harris said. &uot;That’s not to say large schools are not effective. It depends on how you organize them.&uot;

The district’s proposal to reduce student population has gotten mixed reviews from people in the community.

So much so, the district is holding an informational forum at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 3 at the old Natchez Convention Center to discuss the matter.

Natchez Alderman George Harden, one of the plaintiffs in the original desegregation lawsuit, is skeptical.

&uot;To my understanding the Natchez-Adams&160;County School District has set up the public forum under the pretense that the public is stating the schools are overcrowded and they are interested in public opinion,&uot; Harden said.

&uot;This same school system can be in compliance with the federal court order by adding on to existing schools that are open, therefore eliminating overcrowded conditions and being in compliance with the federal court order. From all indications the school system appears to never really want to be in compliance with the federal court order, because if they had expanded existing schools they would be overcrowded.

&uot;The smokescreen of overcrowding is just a cover up for the school system wanting to open schools in white neighborhoods catering again to white flight and not truly concerned with the majority of black students.

&uot;If they are talking about opening up schools to eliminate this problem, it appears that Sadie V. Thompson is larger than Braden, and my question is why not open Sadie V. Thompson School?

&uot;The school system sets up an annual budget projection for the next year. Overcrowding by the school system was known by the school system perhaps five to 10 years ago.

&uot;This information could be obtained by preregistration of school-age students to meet its demand for space, and by knowing the number of preschool students overcrowding could have been eliminated.&uot;

The school system no longer owns Thompson School; the county owns it, and it houses the HeadStart program.

Natchez resident Eva Dunkley said she has visited the schools and agrees some of them have too many students. But she is not certain opening a new school is the answer. &uot;I have not decided that the plan to open Braden School is the correct plan,&uot; she said. &uot;We can’t jump to conclusions until we study that plan.&uot;

She added she is more concerned with providing the best education for all children than integration.

&uot;We’re not supposed to look at this thing as a racial matter,&uot;&160;she said.

Adams County Supervisor Darryl Grennell said he believes the district should have options available that are within the confines of the court order.

&uot;If there is a possibility there is overcrowding, the school district can reciprocate the problem and still be in compliance with the court order,&uot; he said.

Natchez Alderman Theodore &uot;Bubber&uot; West said he believes the people involved can work out the issue. &uot;I have confidence the superintendent, the school board and the plaintiffs will do what’s best for the children of this community,&uot;&160; he said &uot;Their in the loop and they are more knowledgeable of what is needed. If all of us will just focus on what is best for the children, a solution is out there.&uot;