Nine of Caroline County's 26 applicants for superintendent are former or current school chiefs.
The candidates include four assistant superintendents, six central-office administrators, four principals or school administrators and three others.
Sixteen men and 10 women--10 of whom belong to racial minorities--applied for the position. Twelve of the candidates live outside Virginia.
The School Board is conducting the search with help from the Virginia School Boards Association, and hopes to hire someone by the end of June. Superintendent Stanley Jones retires June 30.
The board will interview candidates this month, said School Board member Tamara Redding. She said it is conducting a good number of interviews, but wouldn't say how many.
The VSBA told the School Board that it has one of the best applicant pools the organization has seen in the last year, Redding said.
"I think we have an excellent selection of applicants," she said.
The division sent out 5,000 surveys to get a feel for what people want in the next superintendent. It received 464 responses. Residents have said they want someone who communicates well.
Jeff Branscome: 540/374-5402
Email: jbranscome@freelancestar.com