Deborah Goodwin

The Selma Times-Journal

The decision to hire a new athletic director at Selma High School has caused a stir among some Selma residents.

This weekend, the Times-Journal received a written petition to the Selma City School Board requesting re-instatement of head football coach Brian Montgomery as athletic director.

Montgomery said Sunday he is aware of the petition, but &8220;I don&8217;t have anything to say about it right now.&8221;

The petition received by the newspaper did not contain any signatures.

The school board voted last week to appoint Patrick Evans as new athletic director for the 2008-09 school year at the recommendation of Verdell Lett-Dawson, interim school superintendent.

Jessica Chestnut, a spokesperson for the parents of children who play sports at Selma High, said the parents who signed the petition would not support the board&8217;s decision to make changes in the coaching staff.

But that vote may be revisited, school board members contacted say.

&8220;It&8217;s possible that they could, I doubt seriously that we would,&8221; said Barbara Stapp-Hiouas, president of the school board. &8220;We cannot divulge to everyone the reasons why we do what we have to do, and we won&8217;t.&8221;

Dawson declined to comment on the matter because it involves personnel.

Last week, the school board also voted to make Woodie Jackson the boys&8217; basketball coach and assistant principal.

Jackson, a six-time state champion, leaves Francis Marion to replace Willie Maxey Jr., who won a title with the Saints in 1994.