NATCHEZ — So far, so good, said new Vidalia High School Principal Charles Anderson.

“Only 179 more days to go!” he said.

Classes began today in Concordia Parish and Natchez-Adams school districts.

Anderson, who had been principal at Vidalia Lower Elementary, replaces Rick Brown, who was Vidalia High School principal for 17 years.

Brown retired, as did several other long-time Concordia Parish administrators, rather than accept transfers to other schools within the district.

“Everything went just as planned today,” Anderson said. “It was very smooth, and that’s a testament to the staff here who kept me on track.”

That staff in terms of tenure follows a bowl shape, rather than a typical bell curve, he said.

“We either have people who have been here a very long time, or people who are brand new. There aren’t many in between. I have students here who I taught and teachers here who taught me,” Anderson said. “It’s been wonderful so far. Everyone has been very welcoming. I graduated from Vidalia High School and it’s nice to come home.”

Steven Richardson, who is public relations coordinator at Natchez-Adams School District, said the first day of school went smoothly in that district, too.

In the Natchez-Adams School District, six administrators are new to the district: LaTanya Davis, Kim Langston, Patrick Boyle, Cynthia Lamkin, LaToya Hammett and Tracey Myers. An additional three administrators are in new positions within the district — Margie Clark, Tony Fields and Shamekia Isaac.

Fields is the new principal at Natchez High School, where he takes over for a string of one-year principals.

Fields moved to Natchez High from Frazier Elementary.

“I have to admit, I did have butterflies this morning, but once the kids got here, I felt right at home,” he said. “The students were great. Their attitudes were great. They are really ready and excited about school.”

The only glitches today, Fields said, involved some schedule changes.

“We did have to get some schedules out today, but everyone was very patient. I can’t stress how great the students were today,” he said.

 

Administrators within the Concordia Parish School District include:

• Ferriday Lower Elementary — Julia Walker, principal; Sandra Burton, assistant principal

• Ferriday Upper Elementary — Godfrey Carson, principal; Melissa Doughty, assistant principal

• Ferriday Junior High — Toyua Watson, principal; Gloria Price, assistant principal

• Ferriday High School — Joyce Russ, principal; Ricky Collins, assistant principal

• Concordia Parish Academy of Math, Science and Technology — Nancy Anders, director

• Vidalia Lower Elementary — Arlana Davis, principal; Sandra Scruggs Cobb, assistant principal

• Vidalia Upper Elementary — Darla Johnston, principal; Betty Johnson, assistant principal

• Vidalia Junior High — Whest Shirley, principal; Christine Washington, assistant principal

• Vidalia High School — Charles Anderson, principal; Elizabeth Walker, assistant principal

• Monterey High School — Ralph Simmons, principal; Jana Lincecum, assistant principal

 

Administrators in the Natchez-Adams School District include:

• West Elementary — Allison Jowers, principal; LaTanya Davis, assistant principal

• McLaurin Elementary — Margie Clark, principal; Michael Brown, assistant principal; Elizabeth Koehler, assistant principal

• Natchez High School — Ernest “Tony” Fields, principal; Teresa Dixon, assistant principal; Jacob Pryor, assistant principal; Shamekia Isaac, assistant principal

• Morgantown College Prep Academy — Orisha Mims, principal

• Morgantown Leadership Academy — Kim Langston, principal

• Morgantown Arts Academy — Tawanna Thornton, principal; Patrick Boyle, assistant principal

• Robert Lewis Magnet School — Zandra McDonald, principal; Evon Clark, assistant principal

• Natchez Freshman Academy — Tracey Myers, principal; Larry Hooper, assistant

• Frazier Elementary — Cynthia Lamkin, principal; Dr. LaToya Scott-Hammett, assistant principal

• Fallin — Daisy West, director