SELMA — A consulting firm to help the Selma City School Board search for a superintendent has recommended five names, including interim Superintendent Don Jefferson.

School board members received the recommendations during a work session Tuesday.

The key to finding a good superintendent, said researcher Byron B. Nelson Jr., is to find chemistry between the individual and the school board.

Nelson urged the board to get to know the candidates and find something unique each brings to the table. He also told the board to share information with the candidates.

“It’s important for them to know what they are getting into when they come down here for an interview,” he said.

The consultant’s, N&P, list includes:

4 David Hobdy, Louisville — Hobdy is director of support services and assistant superintendent of Barbour County Schools. He has worked as principal at Barbour County High School (2001-10) and Clayton Elementary School in Barbour County (2000-01). Hobdy taught at Baker Hill Elementary School in Barbour County (193-2000). He received his bachelor’s from Alabama State University (1990), his master’s from Troy University-Dothan (2000) and has completed all but his dissertation from Nova Southeastern University (2009).

4 Donald G. Jefferson, Selma — He works for the Alabama Department of Education. He has worked as a principal at Selma High School (1993-99), vice principal at Daleville High School (1990-93)and assistant principal at Elba High School and Junior High (1988-90). Jefferson has taught physical education and coached at Enterprise High School (1984-88) and at Opelika Junior High and High School (1983-84); and has taught physical education, world history and coached at Tuskegee Institute High School (1982-83). Jefferson has a bachelor’s from Alabama State University (1975), a master’s from Alabama State University (1989); and educational specialist from Troy State University – Dothan (no date given) and a doctorate in education from Alabama State University (2006).

4 Daphyne Long Smith, Memphis, Tenn. — She is an adjunct professor at Union University, Germantown, Tenn. (2007-present) and is principal at Raleigh-Bartlett Meadows Elementary School, Memphis (1995-present). Smith also has worked as a speech pathologist at Pediatric Therapy Services (2005-08), an adjunct at ITT Technical College (2006) and as assistant principal at Graves Elementary School (1992-95) all in Memphis. Smith has a bachelor’s from Tennessee State University (1975), a master’s from the University of Memphis (1978) and a doctorate in education from the University of Memphis (1985).

4 Lewis E. Washington Jr., Wetumpka — He is executive director of high schools for Montgomery Public Schools (2007-10). Washington has worked as a principal at Montgomery Public Schools (1999-2007), Macon County Schools in Tuskegee (1998-99) and Opelika City Schools as an assistant principal and coach (1990-98). He has taught at Brewton City Schools (1987-90) and Elmore County Schools (1984-87). Washington earned his bachelor’s at Alabama Christian College (1984) and his master’s at Troy University (1992).

4 Eli Welch III, Lawrenceville, Ga. — He is principal at Westside Middle School, Winder, Ga. (2003-present). He also has been principal at Selma High School (2001-03). Welch was a teacher at Cloverdale Junior High School in Montgomery (1997-91). He has taught at Argosy University in Atlanta (2008). Welch earned his bachelor’s from Alabama State University (1996), a master’s in education (2000), a specialist in education (2006) both from Alabama State University and a doctorate in education from Argosy University (2007).

The Selma School Board has until Nov. 30 to make a decision.

School Board president Henry Hicks instructed attorney Katy Campbell to make a package for each member of the school board.

“This is not going to be committee,” he said. “This is going to be the board working together.”

Campbell will be in charge of the selection process, Hicks said.