By By Kerry Whipple Bean
The Escambia County Board of Education is nearing the end of one phase of search for a new superintendent.
The postmark deadline for applications was Friday, so board attorney Broox Garrett did not have a final tally on applicants as of Friday. But applications will next be sent to a consulting firm to narrow down the qualified candidates to three, he said. And local in-system applicants will also receive an interview by the board.
"We'll schedule interviews and make sure they go through a screening process," he said.
Interviews will be open to the public, Garrett said.
Superintendent Melvin "Buck" Powell announced in January he will retire from the position July 1. Powell has been with the school system for six years.
"I was hoping it would be six more," said Garrett, who noted that replacing Powell is a tall order.
"He came into a tough situation," Garrett said. "He did a good job."
With schools in three different communities, the county superintendent's job can be difficult, Garrett said.
The school board has set a salary range of $92,000 to $94,452 for the new superintendent, not including professional membership fees, a vehicle and travel allowance. The person hired will have a two-year contract.
N&P Education Association has been hired to consult on the superintendent search and will review all of the applications.
Garrett said the school board has not set a specific timeline for the hire but hopes to have one in place perhaps by early May, in time to ensure a smooth transition.