It’s almost time for students to go back to school and the Selma City Board of Education is getting ready.

Last week, the Selma City Board of Education elected John Williams as president and Debra Reeves-Howard as vice president of the board.

They will assume their new posts next month, replacing current President Ben Givan and Vice-President Barbara Hiouas.

Givan and Hiouas, who will

remain on the board, deserve thanks

for their service to the community during the past year.

Williams and Howard step into the roles at a time of restructuring.

Selma High School is undergoing big changes with the addition of the Freshman Academy this fall. There are also concerns about the school building itself and the need for a new facility.

Howard, who has served on the board for three years, said, “Some of the things the board plans is to make sure we move this system forward and our kids get the quality education they deserve.”

Howard added she wants to equip Selma students with the education they “need and deserve in order to be competitive.”

Among the goals for Williams, who’s served on the board since 1998, is to improve the number of students passing the Alabama High School Graduation Exam and to improve and upgrade school facilities for the safety.

The community needs to support and encourage school board members.

Citizens also need to be prepared to question decisions when necessary.

Let’s prepare now for a great school year.