The Natchez-Adams School Board seems hell-bent on its mission to build a new high school and revamp all other schools, regardless of the will of the populace.

In May, Adams County voters rejected the district’s plans to raise money through a bond issue.

But the school board does not care about what the voters want; board members simply know what they want — their way.

Last week the school board approved the borrowing of $9 million to get its building plans begun while discussing how to raise another $25 million more to finish the project. The district’s financial consultant admitted that the two methods would ultimately cost the district more in interest than a bond issue would have cost, if voters had approved.

While we agree with the school board’s leadership that a new high school building is needed, the voters who are supplying the cash for the district have spoken.

Voters clearly said “No” to new schools, at least in part because of the forced manner in which the district attempted to quickly throw the matter to voters in a rushed election.

To flatly ignore the will of the voters is flagrantly arrogant and utterly disrespectful.

After defeat at the ballot box, the district’s leaders needed to seek common ground and find support for a plan that may be slightly less ambitious than the one rejected.

Unfortunately, the district’s leadership has chosen the path of divisiveness.

We urge school leaders to reconsider their path and choose to back up, seeking to build bridges rather than more barriers with voters and taxpayers.