An election to select an all-new Selma Board of Education is set for Oct. 27.

Candidates may file qualifying papers as soon as the legal notice is published in The Selma Times-Journal, said Selma City Clerk Ivy Harrison.

“I don’t know the exact day,” she said, “but as soon as they see the legal notice, they may qualify.”

The Selma City Council approved qualifying fees for candidates at its last meeting. Those who wish to run by district will pay $35. Those candidates who wish to run for president of the school board, which is an at-large seat, will pay $50.

“These are the same fees the candidates for council and mayor and president of the council paid during the last election,” explained City Attorney Jimmy Nunn.

In a special election held in April, the voters of Selma decided by 86 percent to have an elected school board, instead of one appointed by the city council.

The elected school board will consist of four members from four districts and a president elected at-large. Currently the school board has 11 members, including a president elected by other board members.

Districts will break down like this: school board District 1 will be composed of city Wards 1 and 2; District 2 will be composed of city Wards 4 and 5; District 3 will be composed of city Wards 3 and 8 and District 4 will be composed of Wards 6 and 7. A candidate must live in the district to run for a position of the board.

Henry Hicks Sr., 54, is the only candidate to have formally announced he’s running. Hicks is seeking the position of school board chairman.