The Selma Times-Journal

The naming of a new principal at Selma High School has caused some controversy.

The Selma City School Board named Wanda McCall as the first woman principal of the school on Tuesday night.

McCall will replace Dr. Bruce Dozier, who has only served one year as principal of the school.

Dozier will be transferred back to Selma Middle C.H.A.T. Academy as assistant principal where he served as the assistant principal for 10 years before coming to Selma High School.

Dr. Verdell Lett Dawson said in the school board&8217;s special called meeting on Tuesday that the transfer was Dozier&8217;s request.

Dozier denies that.

Dozier plans to challenge the decision, but would not give details.

Before voting for McCall, the school board had decided on another candidate for the position.

The board voted to hire Lorenza Pharrams, principal at Sydney Lanier High School in Montgomery, nearly two weeks ago at the recommendation of Verdell Lett Dawson, interim superintendent.

On Tuesday, Lett Dawson, interim school board superintendent, told school board members Pharrams would not be take the job because school board member Deborah Reeves-Howard said if he took the job, he would not be supported by the board or the community.

Reeves-Howard denied the accusation, saying she never contacted Pharrams.

Board member Ben Givan said he&8217;d spoken with Pharrams and tried to persuade him to take the job.

Pharrams could not be reached for comment when contacted by phone on Tuesday.

Barbara Stapp-Hiouas, city school board president said she had also spoken with Pharrams and begged him to reconsider.

Stapp-Hiouas asked the board&8217;s attorney Katy Campbell about taking legal action to address against any board member contacting an employee or perspective employee &8220;and do the things that were done, say the things that were said.&8221;

Reeves-Howard suggested all board members get a lawyer.