NATCHEZ — The county has not yet set up interviews with candidates for the open seat on the Natchez-Adams School Board.

And Tuesday Adams County Supervisor Mike Lazarus said he’s not sure when that vacancy will be filled.

The available seat opened up when former school board member Kenneth Taylor’s five-year appointment lapsed.

The supervisors make two appointments to the board and the Natchez Board of Aldermen names the other three.

While Lazarus and fellow Supervisor Darryl Grennell said they’d like to begin interviews for Taylor’s replacement as soon as next week, no interview dates have been set up.

Lazarus said the responsibility of setting a date for interviews normally falls with the supervisors’ president.

While board President Henry Watts could not be reached for comment, Lazarus said he believes the supervisors’ busy schedule is to blame for postponing the interviews.

“There are a lot of issues facing the county right now,” he said. “But (the appointment) is on our minds. It’s something we need to do.”

Grennell also said while he’s not sure why interviews for the possible board members have not been set up, it needs to be done soon.

“It’s a very important position,” Grennell said.

School board members have the ability to change school policy, have control of a budget greater than $40 million and have the ability to levy taxes on county residents.

School board member Dale Steckler said Taylor has not participated in any board activities since March, even though board members traditionally remain active on the board until their replacement is named.

While Steckler said a four-member school board has not caused any problems yet, the five-member board system is in place for a reason.

“It’s there to make sure there’s fairness,” Steckler said.

Both Grennell and Steckler said a four-member board has the potential to cause problems.

“If there’s a tie, on something like a budget issue, that can be a big problem.” Grennell said. “That’s why we have five-member boards.”

Grennell said there are approximately nine people nominated for the board to be interview.

Taylor, who was in the running for reappointment, has withdrawn his name, Grennell said.