Natchez aldermen will take a test of sorts this week when they choose the next member of the Natchez-Adams School Board.

With Tuesday’s self-imposed deadline for filling the position fast approaching, aldermen are halfway through their interviewing process. Two candidates have already been interviewed with two more candidates scheduled to be interviewed Monday.

Aldermen will choose among four candidates: James A. Coleman, Norris Edney, Henry R. Gaud\u00E9 and Dale Steckler.

The vote will be a test of character for the aldermen — and the mayor, should his vote be needed to break a tie.

Normally such a vote might be a routine matter, but in a community such as Natchez with a complex structure such votes can be extremely difficult.

Almost invariably someone will cry foul over the race of the chosen candidate or whether his or her children attend public school, or whether he or she lives too close to another school board member.

While we’re confident that the Natchez-Adams School District is improving, it’s still hurting from past problems, and this community must rally its forces to help it get better.

We don’t think the race or location of the next school board member matters nearly as much as whether that person is qualified to help Superintendent Dr. Carl Davis, school board president Kenneth Taylor and other board members help lead the district into the future.

The future of Natchez and Adams County rests in the young people who are in our public schools. And those children deserve the best education possible.

In order for our community to grow economically, our schools must continue to improve. Ask any economic development professional what one of the first questions a potential industrial prospect will ask and he will tell you it’s &uot;How are the public schools?&uot;

We know the aldermen will look beyond the forces of race and political favoritism and select the best candidate for the position.