BY AMY FLOWERS UMBLE

Today, King George County School Board members will begin interviewing candidates for the next superintendent.

The School Board hopes to have a new superintendent in place by July 1.

Twenty-three people applied to lead King George County Schools. The board has whittled the list down some, though Chairman Mike Rose wouldn't give a specific number.

"I am very pleased with the candidates who applied," Rose said. "We have some really good candidates to choose from."

Those applicants include eight people from other states: Delaware, Louisiana, Georgia, Texas, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania.

Eight have led school divisions before, and four have been assistant superintendents.

As the King George County School Board looks for its new leader, members will try to pick someone who will interact with the community, advocate for budget priorities and be an active presence in the schools, Rose said.

The interviews will continue until May 5, and will occur in closed sessions with the School Board.

Rose said he hopes to announce the board's choice by mid-June.

The school division has had an interim chief, Stanley Jones, since December, when longtime Superintendent Candace Brown resigned. Jones previously served as superintendent of Caroline County schools.

The board has hired the Virginia School Board Association to help with the candidate recruitment process.

Amy Flowers Umble: 540/735-1973
Email: aumble@freelancestar.com