SELMA — David Cothran has announced his candidacy for the city school board seat in District 3/8 in the Oct. 27 election.

Cothran is a graduate of Selma City Schools and has four children attending Meadowview Elementary.

“I believe all children deserve the right to attend a high quality school in a safe and nurturing environment. When our school system is broken we cheat our children, and lack of quality schools affects all aspects of our life as a progressive city,” said Cothran.

“I know how to get things done. As in all aspects of my life, my actions as a board member will reflect my beliefs. I am running for the board because I have the best interests of all the children at heart, and I know I can make a difference.”

Cothran said he believes in Selma and knows that a progressive public school system is the hub of success.

“Our community must be committed to providing schools where teachers can teach and students can learn without concern for safety or lack of basic resources” he said.

A fourth generation Selmian, Cothran graduated from Selma High School in 1985. He graduated from Huntingdon College in 1989 with a degree in marketing.

After working with The Boy Scouts of America in Louisiana, David returned to Selma to work in his father’s business until his father’s retirement.

In 1995 Cothran began a career with Benefit Development Group and is now the chief operations officer. As the benefits administrator for multiple national accounts Cothran understands and works with large budgets and expenses giving him the experience necessary to work with the school board.

The passion for his children’s future is what is driving him to run for this seat. “I hold a private sector job and believe in public education” Cothran said.

“I want my children to have the same opportunities as I had, including a public education rather than being removed from the community. The diversity that Selma offers can create the bold young people necessary to lead our city into the future.” Cothran is married to Tonya Johnson Cothran and is a resident of Ward 3.