The search for the next superintendent of the Dallas County School System has been narrowed to seven applicants.  The final candidates are Dallas County Schools Assistant Superintendent Hattie Shelton, Southside High School Principal Clarence Jackson, Russell County’s Vivian Relf, former Canton, Mississippi superintendent of Schools Isaac Haynes, Chilton County Assistant Superintendent Walter Fenn, Birmingham City School’s Sherene Carpenter and Perry County Schools’ Corey Jones.

In one week, on Feb. 23, the school board will host public interviews with each of the seven candidates in the commissioner’s chamber of the Dallas County Courthouse. The interviews will last most of the day, from 10 a.m. until 5:30 p.m.

The school board should be commended for making the public aware that the interviews are open for anyone to attend. After all, whoever the next superintendent is will have a big impact on our schools and in the future of our students.

We encourage those that can find the time to attend the interviews next week to get a feel for the candidates. Until then, now is a good time to share with school board members what qualities you’d like to see in the next superintendent and to make them aware of any questions you’d like to have answered during the interview process.