Karl Lewis has announced he’ll run for the Selma City School Board District 2 position on Oct. 27.

He graduated Selma High School in 1976, and was in the Army from 1977-81. He received an associate’s degree from Wallace Community College, and is pursuing bachelor’s degree in ministry at Selma University. He is pastor of New Sister Springs Baptist Church.

Lewis is no stranger to school boards. He served on the Dallas County School Board for about 14 years, where he achieved master school board member status in 1999. He also served as district director for the Alabama Association of School Boards.

He was on the board when a $10 million bond that renovated county schools and aided in the construction of new gyms at Martin Middle School, Southside High School and Dallas County High School.

Lewis acknowledged the Selma City School Board is different than the board he earlier served on, but believes he has a lot to offer.

“Over the course of time, and I’ve noticed it seems the school board has been kind of divisive; it seems there’s been a lot of confusion,” said Lewis. “The whole thing is I want to bring some cohesiveness to the board, and also make sure that our children have a safe learning environment. They need a safe environment to learn in.”

Lewis said he wants to emphasize the importance of the success of Selma City Schools students to the area’s future.

“That is our most valuable commodity,” he said. “We must put the children first.”