City school chief financial officer taken into custody after less than two months on the job

BY VICTOR INGE

THE SELMA TIMES-JOURNAL

The newly appointed chief financial officer (CFO) for Selma City Schools was arrested at his school board office Friday, Aug. 3 by FBI agents.

Timothy Parker had only been on the job for less than two months as chief financial officer for the Selma City Board of Education. He had come to Selma from Cullman. School officials said Saturday the state informed them Parker had cleared the required background check.

Board attorney Katy Campbell said school officials were not notified, and confirmed Parker was arrested inside the building after 2 p.m. Friday and agents led Parker away.

She said they have not spoken with him since, and agents did not inform the board of the allegations.

Calls to the FBI on Friday were unsuccessful in determining the charges.

With the annual system-wide school institute scheduled for Monday, Selma is without a CFO. Campbell said whatever the allegations were they were not brought by Selma City Schools.

The board held a work session on Saturday in preparation of the start of school, and may not be forced to begin a search for a replacement. However, there was no indication over the weekend of the allegations.

Campbell said representatives from the State Department of Education had been in Selma working with Parker and may be asked to help out until the situation is investigated.

Newly appointed board chairman John Williams said he was also puzzled.