School bells rang throughout Selma Wednesday morning, and the 2008-2009 academic year officially began.

According to Crystal Boykin, public information officer for Selma City Schools, everything went very smoothly system-wide.

“As always, on the first day of school, things were a little hectic, but nothing unexpected,” she said. “Things went really well, and from what was reported, all is clear.”

Also normal for the first day, Boykin said, were parents who had to register their children.

“We expected that because often people are out of town leading up to the first day. So that was not a hindrance,” she said.

She said she visited Selma High School, Payne Elementary School and the School of Discovery and everything was running smoothly.

“The students at the School of Discovery were already working in their classes by 9 a.m., so it’s full steam ahead for the year,” she said. “We’re very pleased.”

At Cedar Park Elementary School, principal Logan Cowart said her school’s first day was great.

“It went very well all around,” she said. “We had approximately 211 students return to class today.”

She said there were no problems to report at the school that houses pre-K to fifth grade.

School of Discovery principal Gerald Shirley echoed the sentiment of no problems for the day.