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The Selma City Schools Board of Education and outgoing Superintendent Dr. Avis Williams discussed the road ahead as she prepares to take the superintendent job at NOLA Public Schools this summer.

Williams said her tentative start date in New Orleans would be July 11, and she would submit her resignation, effective July 10, on Tuesday.

“I did create a transition team, and we will be working on making sure we have comprehensive information to share with you all before my departure,” she said.

District 4 Board Member Dr. Tanya Miles asked Williams for a list of dates she would be out of office during the transition period.

“When I send you my resignation tomorrow, I’ll send you my dates for this month and also let you know who my designees will be when I’m out,” Williams said.

District 2 Board Member Brenda Randolph-Obomanu expressed concerns regarding Williams setting her resignation date in July.

“We’ve had a situation where you have been out a lot,” she said. “if you leave us in July, and it takes us a couple months to get this process going, we may not get us another superintendent until September or October. Is there a reason why you’re waiting until July?”

Williams said her contract requires her to give 90 days’ notice before leaving the position.

Several members inquired whether an interim superintendent could be put in place during the transition, but the board’s attorney, Katy Campbell, informed them an interim superintendent couldn’t legally fill the position until Williams’ intended resignation date.

District 1 Board Member Danielle Wooten suggested having someone appointed to work alongside Williams in order to absorb knowledge and aid in the transition once a new superintendent has been hired.

Board President Johnny Moss said the superintendent search would begin Tuesday. When presented the option to have a national search or regional search, the board unanimously agreed to keep the search regional.

The board set a qualification meeting Monday at 5 p.m. to discuss the prerequisites prospective applicants for the position must meet.

Campbell said the application and announcement to advertise the position would be updated.

Moss congratulated Williams on her new job.

“On behalf of the board, the students, the community, parents and teachers, we want to thank you for all that you’ve done for Selma City (Schools),” Moss said. “We’re just excited for the next steps in your future endeavors in New Orleans … We’ve still got some work to do while you’re here, but we’re excited for you. It’s well-deserved.”

Editor’s Note: More coverage from Monday’s school board meeting will be in Friday’s e-edition of The Selma Times-Journal.