Natchez’s problem-plagued Head Start building hopes to get out from under the close scrutiny of the health department by repairing its leaking roof this summer, officials said this week.

Thompson School Head Start, which is operated by AJFC Community Action Agency, has had so many roof problems, the state health department had told the agency to either make repairs or have an improvement plan in place by March 31.

That date has since been pushed back to May, said Lamar Braxton, CEO of AJFC.

&uot;We got that lifted,&uot; Braxton said. &uot;We made some arrangements so the children won’t be exposed to (the leaks).&160;There is nobody in that area.&uot;

Kelly Shannon, a spokesperson with the state health department, confirmed the date had been moved to May 31, the same day the school’s probational license is up for renewal.

Adams&160;County Supervisor Darryl Grennell, who has taken an interest in the problems with the county-owned building, said he had not heard about the extension.

&uot;I think it’s excellent they’ve got an extension,&uot; he said.

Thompson Head Start educates about 500 newborn to preschool-age children during the school year.

It also cares for a smaller number of those children during each year’s summer session.

The Adams County Board of Supervisors has spent thousands of dollars to perform unsuccessful repair jobs on the roof.

This includes spending $40,000 in 1994, $16,000 in 1998 and more than $5,000 in 1999 to fix section of the roof.

The board also spent $48,000 last year to repair the school’s auditorium roof.

Braxton said AJFC officials want to try to work on the roof this summer and still believe the school may have to close for a short time during the repair work.

&uot;All I know is (the health department) said they would let us go to May 31,&uot; Braxton said. &uot;I know they expect us to have the roof repaired by September.&uot;

Right now, AJFC is looking into funding sources for the work and waiting to get a report from an engineering team that inspected the building last month.

&uot;They will decide what the best approach is to having a permanent leak free roof,&uot; Braxton said.