SELMA — Members of the Selma City School Board have their work cut out for them in the search for a new superintendent to lead the system.

During a special-called meeting Thursday, the school board voted to negotiate with Donald Jefferson, Ph.D., for the interim position after Austin Obasohan, Ed.D., leaves July 1 to take a superintendent’s job in Duplin, N.C.

School board attorney Katy Campbell says Jefferson’s tenure could last for four months, perhaps longer, with some extensions.

At least one school board member, Holland Powell of District 1, said he’d like to see Jefferson settle in after working with Obasohan for a smooth transition and “let’s see what we’ve got.”

Powell urged his fellow board members to not rush through the superintendent selection process.

“With all the issues in the system, I think there are other matters that might need our attention first,” he said.

Campbell said the board needs to decide if it will go through a consulting firm to seek a new superintendent or if the board will keep its selection process local.

If a consultant is chosen, the board can let the firm do the work, come in and make presentations and the board can decide which candidates they would interview.

If the board chooses to go locally, the board would have to go through the application process from the beginning with the candidates, Campbell said.

The school board is expected to take up the issue at its meeting July 10.