The search for a new superintendent for the Fayette County School System appears to be making some progress. The Citizen was told Monday that the first round of interviews is expected to begin in mid-July. The number of people to be interviewed is unknown.

No additional information is known at this time, other than the previous statement from Fayette County Board of Education Chairman Terri Smith that 32 applications had been received from 15 states.

Hired in the spring to help conduct the search, the Georgia School Boards Association (GSBA) received, reviewed and screened applications and conducted reference checks on the top candidates.

The GSBA consultant is meeting with the school board to review applications and prepare board members for the interview process.

Among other functions GSBA will also moderate the interviews of top candidates. Subsequent to the interviews, the names and biographical information on as many as three finalists, the customary number of applicants deemed potentially acceptable for hire, will be released 14 days before any final decision to make the appointment.