Selma City Schools makes new hires

Selma City Schools has announced several new hires as the new school year approaches. 

The district hired Selma police department's former assistant chief Natasha Fowlkes as the third and final School Resource Officer. Fowlkes resigned on July 2 from her job as assistant chief of Selma police after being on leave for a month during an investigation of possible wrongdoing.  

In a statement, Selma City Schools said they hired her because of her "distinguished career in local law enforcement spanning nearly 20 years" that included serving as the first African American Assistant Chief of the Selma Police Department. 

The Selma City Schools district hired Kelvin Lett as the new athletic director. A graduate of Selma High School, Lett brings 24 years of educational and coaching expertise.  

Lett says, "I want to ensure that Selma City School scholars continue to get a rich academic and athletic experience. My goal as the athletic director is to bring the community, students, and school system together as one." 

Former Athletic Director Willie Morgan, Jr. was named assistant principal at Selma High School. He has 16 years of educational experience, serving as a teacher, head coach and athletic director. 

Dr. Keisha Smith is the new principal of Selma High School. She is a Selma native and previously served as the assistant principal at R.B. Hudson STEAM Academy. Her background includes diverse roles such as a classroom teacher, assistant principal, curriculum supervisor, testing coordinator, and Career Tech Director with Selma City Schools, Lowndes County Public Schools, and Dallas County Schools.  

Kristen Dial-Williams was named Chief of Federal Programs. She has a 20-year career in education in various vital roles including as an English teacher, school counselor, education specialist and federal programs coordinator. 

Dr. Miranda Bissoo has been appointed Director of the Career Technical Education Department. Bissoo has 25 years of experience in enhancing educational outcomes through strategic planning and organizational transformation and served as a classroom teacher, program coordinator, senior director for innovation, and manager for organizational strategy. 

Ja'Quincey Ponder is the newly appointed principal of Sophia P. Kingston Elementary School. Ponder has over 14 years of experience in education as an elementary teacher and secondary administrator.