City Schools of Decatur Administrative Offices. Photo by Dena Mellick

The Decatur School Board has been meeting privately at the board attorney’s office for several days to discuss “personnel” matters.

While the description of the meetings are vague, it is highly likely they are interviewing and revising candidates to replace outgoing Superintendent Phyllis Edwards. The board’s next regular meeting is Sept. 8, but Brad Draeger with the search firm Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates said he doesn’t expect a decision on that day.

“They’re in the final stages, they’re going through a top tier of applicants right now and interviews are continuing,” he said.

It’s possible, Draeger said, that the board could announce their selection at a special called board meeting. He said CSD received resumes from about 90 candidates from coast-to-coast, including some candidates based in Georgia. Of that number, about 20 to 25 are sitting superintendents, he said.

“It’s a very good number,” Draeger said of the number of applicants interested in the job. “It’s an extremely good number.”

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Draeger said candidates are attracted to the school system for its record of achievement and the amount of support it receives from the community.

“It’s an outstanding school district,” Draeger said. “High student achievement. High support from the community … wonderful place to raise a family, wonderful track record of success … many, many factors, all in a positive direction.”

Draeger said the board doesn’t have an immediate deadline for making a decision. It’s likely the board will make a decision sometime before Edwards contract ends on Dec. 31.

“They wanted the best candidate,” he said. “It’s open until it’s filled.”