The Selma Times-Journal

An Omaha, Neb., firm is now responsible for finding a new superintendent for the Selma City Schools system.

The Selma City Board of Education voted unanimously to select the firm McPherson and Jacobson, LLC, which has consultants working in all parts of the country. McPherson and Jacobson and BWP and Associates, LLC, based in Illinois, were asked to come before the board Thursday night.

Board members said the decision was influenced by the firm&8217;s enthusiasm for Selma and their confidence in their ability to complete the search quickly.

The board&8217;s goal is to have a superintendent in place by August.

Dr. Sammy Felton will lead the search. Felton is based in Anniston and is employed by Mercer University.

The firm&8217;s services will cost $13,500 plus travel expenses for consultants and covers the five phases of the search: developing a profile, recruiting, evaluation of candidates, facilitating the selection process, and establishing performance objectives for the chosen individual.

BWP and Associates&8217; fee was $9,500 plus travel expenses, but the firm would have had a consultant working from Texas.

Consultant Loe Dunn said during the screening process, the firm will not only talk to references, but references of those references.

The firm&8217;s Web site is http://www.macnjake.com.