SELMA — Ben Givan has qualified to run for president of the Selma City School Board in the Oct. 27 election.

Givan, 68, is an incumbent and holds the position of president. This is his third term on the school board. He has served as president twice before.

The position Givan seeks is elected at-large.

“I think I know the community more than anyone on the school board,” he said. “With activities in the community I know what buttons to push.”

Givan said his goal is to make the school system a better one. He said he would work to help establish magnet schools and for fine arts education.

Magnet schools are schools that draw in students who would not otherwise be attracted to traditional school. The way magnet schools bring in students is by offering specialized courses of study.

Through his tenure on the school board, Givan has earned master status with the Alabama Association of School Boards.

Givan said he is excited about the opportunity to continue working with Superintendent Dr. Austin Obasohan, the community and other school board members.

Givan has his master’s degree in education administration. He was married to the late Mildred Givan. They had two children, both graduates of Selma High School.