The Selma Times-Journal

Applicants have 13 days to apply for the Selma City School superintendent&8217;s job.

McPherson & Jacobson LLC, an Omaha, Neb., search firm hired by the Selma School Board, will hold a workshop with the board June 17 to compose an interview questionnaire for the job candidates.

The board will interview those applicants July 21-24.

Dunn and Sammy Lee Felton, also a consultant, held a series of meetings with local students, employees of Selma City Schools, parents, community leaders and the general public May 15. The chairpersons from those groups will also interview the candidates. Fitts said the public would also be able to meet the candidates.

During the interview dates, each candidate will come to the city for the day to meet with the board and members of the community.

Lowe said the candidates&8217; spouses will take a tour of the schools and the city.

Although the search firm will present the board with a &8220;short list&8221; of candidates on July 15 from all of the applicants who have applied nationwide, Fitts said the board would decide who will be interviewed.

Dunn confirmed on

Monday that applications are coming in and some of them are from out of state.

She said that number would be reported to the board if requested.

Fitts also said board members research backgrounds of the candidates submitted by the research firm. She hopes the candidates will research the school system.

George Needham, a retired business manager, said he does not want a local person to be the next superintendent.

The school board has identified the following qualities for the new superintendent:

environment.

Many residents who have attended open forums about the hiring process said they want a superintendent who is innovative, has foresight and who will push for racial diversity in the schools.

Jewell Williamson said she is happy the public is part of the selection process and believes the public will participate and support the choice.

Williamson, who taught in the city school system for 29 years, wants a superintendent who thinks it&8217;s important for the schools to be diverse.

Applications may be submitted by Monday, June 23 by mail to McPherson & Jacobson LLC, P.O. Box 7346, Omaha, NE 68107, fax to (402) 991-7168, or e-mailed to mail @macnjake.com.