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The Selma City Board of Education selected Dr. Zickeyous Byrd to serve as Superintendent during a board meeting held Thursday evening in the Selma High School cafeteria.

Byrd received three votes from Board President Johnny Moss III, District 4 Board Member Dr. Tanya Miles and District 3 Board Member Phylis Houser, who nominated Byrd for the job.

“His experience,” Moss said played a big role in his decision to vote for Byrd. “We need someone to come in from Day One. He’s done it at two school systems. We had all five great candidates, but he was the only one that brought superintendent experience to the table. In his interview, he talked … about what he was doing and how he’d approach our system. We just think he’s the perfect fit for our system at this time.”

Miles said the board had five good, qualified candidates and the questions and answers given during the interview process cemented her decision to pick Byrd.

“Dr. Byrd, I think, is the best choice to lead our children and to move our school system forward,” she said. “At the end of the day, any vote and any decision I make when I come to this table is in the best interest of (our children).”

District 1 Board Member and Vice President Danielle Wooten voted for her nominee, Cicely Curtis, while District 2 Board Member Brenda Randolph-Obomanu cast her vote and nomination for Dr. Monte Linebarger.

Wooten said she felt, of all the candidates, Curtis was the one who had shown the largest growth in proficiency in the shortest amount of time and that was one of the key factors that determined her nomination.

“I feel like she’s the only candidate of the five that can change the culture and climate of the schools of two schools within our district,” Wooten said.

Curtis posted a message on social media offering encouragement for Byrd, who replaces outgoing Superintendent Dr. Avis Williams.

“Let’s pray for, welcome and support the incoming superintendent, Dr. Byrd,” she said. “At the end of the day, it is about the success of our children. We must work together to ensure that it happens.”