NATCHEZ — On Thursday, the Natchez-Adams School Board voted to finalize budget cuts put in place earlier this month.

The cuts came as a result of cutbacks made at the state level.

The state-level cuts amounted to districts across Mississippi losing nearly $91 million.

The Natchez-Adams District suffered a loss of approximately $600,000 when the state’s cuts went into effect.

Board President Norris Edny said the cuts were regrettable but necessary.

“Reductions are something we never enjoy,” Edney said. “But it’s inevitable at this point in time.”

To compensate for the state’s cuts, the board finalized its own 3.23 percent cuts at Thursday’s meeting.

Those cuts apply to every school and every department within the district.

Margaret Parson, the district’s business manager, said the district could save as much as $100,000 this year due to the lower cost of fuel.

When Parson budgeted for fuel costs last year they were higher than they are now.

“That’s helping us,” she said.

But that’s one of the few bright spots in the budget.

Parson said the budget cuts have not resulted in cutbacks for student supplies.

“We’re going into saving mode,” she said.

In other news, District Superintendent Anthony Morris said a committee has been formed to come up with a school song for Natchez High School.

“This is one way we can increase school spirit,” he said.

Morris said since the school’s formation, Natchez High hasn’t had a school song.