NATCHEZ — A vacated seat on the Natchez-Adams School District school board will soon be filled.

Seven applicants have been interview by the mayor and board of aldermen for the position that was left open when Matilda Stephens resigned in April.

Mayor Jake Middleton said the selection is scheduled to be made and announced at the next aldermen meeting on Tuesday.

“We’ve done everything we could do,” he said. “It was a good group, too. We had a lot of good interviews, we really did.”

He said he and the board want a strong individual to serve.

“I think some experience in education is good, I think a little business background is good, (and we need) somebody that’s willing to dig in there to find out where our problems are and be willing to stand up and say what the problems are. If change needs to be made, (he or she won’t) be afraid to make change,” he said.

“I don’t think anyone is looking to put a buddy on there, because it’s too important of a position,” he said.

Norris Edney, school board president, said he and the rest of the board members are looking forward to having a full board once more.

“It’s important to be a full board,” he said.

The applicants are: Millicent Mayo, Bishop Melvin Jackson Sr., J. Clark Feiser, Terry White, Terri McGruder, Tim Cotton and Dr. Benny Wright.

Though it has been a few months since the position was vacated, Edney said he isn’t surprised it took some time to get around to selecting a new member.

He said the board of aldermen has been very busy since Stephens’ resignation.

Middleton concurred, and said he wanted to new administration to get their feet wet and as that was happening, Gustav and the budget had to be handled.

Selections from the school board are made by both the Adams County Board of Supervisors and the Natchez Board of Aldermen.

The supervisors appoint two members and the aldermen appoint two. This position is to be appointed by the city.