A unique process begins today as the Natchez-Adams School Board interviews the first of six candidates for its superintendent position.

For one hour of each interview, the candidates will face a panel of residents, chosen by the board to represent a cross-section of the community.

That interaction can work on two levels: It gives the candidate an idea of what the community thinks of educational issues, and it gives the community a glimpse of the people the board is considering for this important post.

Our public school system is at an interesting crossroads &045; and it is led right now by a mostly new board that seems willing to get to the heart of the problems and opportunities it faces.

We’re glad to see the community taking a part in the interview process, and we urge the residents invited to take part to ask the right questions of the candidates. What challenges do these candidates see ahead? How have they dealt with such challenges in the past? What do they think the school system’s role in this community needs to be? What are their plans for improving the school system’s scores?

Public education, and education in general, is an integral part of the future of our community and its economy.

We have to build strong schools under a strong leader; it is a key to our success and to our ability to attract new businesses and new residents.