Comparison, it was once said, is the thief of joy. And the statement is certainly true when considering the comparison of houses, vehicles or other property.

But sometimes comparisons are necessary to understand how values are placed by organizations.

Much has been questioned of late about the Natchez-Adams School District’s spending practices.

Many people simply shrugged their shoulders in the past when the district passed budgets that called for more spending, despite the smaller population of students.

But when the district announced plans for a district wide building renovation and replacement plan, many of those people who had been shrugging shoulders said, “Enough.” Those same people began asking questions and looking into the district’s spending.

As it turns out, a majority of the district’s staff is in administrative and support personnel, rather than teachers.

While support functions such as janitors, cafeteria workers are critical to the district’s operations, above them on the rung of importance in our minds is the role of teacher.

The school district seems to be more focused on the administrative functions of the district and providing high salaries to some in those positions than on where the rubber meets the road — the classroom.

Rather than merely shrugging their own shoulders at the questions coming from concerned residents, we encourage the school district’s leaders to engage in a conversation.

They should discuss what is happening now in the district and what could happen if all sides worked together to make the district leaner and meaner.