A quiet move was made in recent days that could have a major impact on the future of Natchez-Adams Schools.

On Dec. 4, a judge will rule whether to grant the school district &uot;unitary status,&uot; a legal term meaning the school district has removed the vestiges of discrimination and segregation.

Such a ruling would also allow the school district some breathing room as it would come out from under a 14-year-old court order that forced schools to close and consolidate &045; within a few short weeks, leaving classrooms crowded.

The court order, the result of a lawsuit filed in 1988, also held that the school district could not build new facilities or reopen old schools.

If the school district is able to make decisions about facilities on its own, many people believe that could help alleviate the overcrowding &045; perhaps leading to other changes in the school district, such as a better learning environment, higher test scores and fewer discipline problems.

A few years ago the school district asked a community committee to come up with plans in the event the court order was lifted. Their plans included smaller neighborhood schools, similar to the way the school district was organized in the past.

But for now, the school district isn’t talking much about its plans; officials say they are just waiting on the judge’s decision and encouraging anyone affected by the lawsuit &045; which became a class-action suit &045; to voice their opinions on the matter.

That may be the best course of action to take right now. Changes to the school district, especially as a result of the lifting of a desegregation order, are a sensitive issue, and we need the best plan in place to take the district forward.

In the coming days, we will take a look back at the lawsuit and the court order in a series of stories that also looks to the future of the school system. We’ll be asking for your opinions as well. We welcome letters to the editor, via e-mail or regular mail.

What happens with the school district affects all of us. This issue came up rather quietly, but it can have a lasting impact on our entire community &045; in terms of education, economy and quality of life.