The Selma Times-Journal

In a called work session Thursday, Selma City School Board members voted to finalize interim superintendent Dr. Verdell Lett-Dawson&8217;s contract.

The move to finalize the contract comes a little over a year after Lett-Dawson&8217;s appointment as interim superintendent.

Lett-Dawson was previously employed as an administrative assistant with the school system. She was named interim superintendent by the board in March 2007, after the resignation of former superintendent Dr. James Carter.

Lett-Dawson receives her

salary of approximately $80,000 as an administrative assistant plus approximately $1,500 monthly for her post as interim superintendent.

Lett-Dawson petitioned the board for a $500 travel stipend as part of her interim salary. The $500 is less than Carter&8217;s travel stipend as superintendent, which was $800.

The board voted to accept the travel stipend amendment to Lett-Dawson&8217;s contract along with the finalization, with the stipulation it be made retroactive to Lett-Dawson&8217;s appointment.

To become superintendent, Lett-Dawson will need to apply as other candidates are required to, according to Selma City Schools attorney Katy Smith Campbell.

Following the work session, board members participated in a superintendent selection workshop conducted by Sally Howell, executive director of the Alabama Association of School Boards.

The workshop is intended to help board members determine the kind of superintendent they want for the system and define the decision-making process.

During the session, board members compiled a list of goals for the system, which included higher graduation rates, academic accountability, strong financial management, and recruiting highly-qualified personnel.

No potential candidates have been named.