Superstition did not stop the Scotland County School Board from narrowing down the list of applicants for the superintendent's position from 35 initial resumes to 13.

The lucky 13, who were selected after hours of discussion by the school board, began interviewing Thursday. Officials say the board is sticking to its timetable to have Superintendent Shirley Prince's replacement by the time the outgoing school leader leaves at the end of June.

Board member Terence Williams called the applications the board reviewed "outstanding" before taking a moment to gloat that, as he understood it, the Scotland County Schools superintendent position drew more applications than the same position in Cumberland County.

Williams was the only school board members to comment for this story. The other seven could not be reached or did not return calls.

Plans

Current plans are to interview two candidates per day on Thursday and today, and the rest over the next two weeks.

Following the initial interviews, Williams said, there will then be a "second round", to allow "the cream to rise to the top."

"The great thing about the applications we have reviewed so far is that most are really expressing their interest in participating in our system because it is cutting edge, innovative and 21st century ready," he said.

Williams added that one of the features that he is looking for is a willingness to reside within Scotland County.

"We are looking for someone who wants to be apart of Scotland County."

He said the board is also looking for applicants who "understand smaller learning communities" and who have a "realistic policy for getting our kids to perform."

Williams expressed a willingness to change current policy if a superintendent with a strong vision comes along, as well.

"We're open to anything that is going to move our kids in the right direction."

Asked if the recent public criticism of Prince's $200,000 plus salary has been a concern, Williams said that applicants have not mentioned the issue at this point. He also made it clear that Prince's salary was the result of years of performance-based escalation, and suggested that a new superintendent's salary would not be as high.

Expectations are that a new superintendent will be hired at least a week prior to July 1, so that Prince will have the opportunity to assist her replacement.

Schools spokesman Andy Cagle said that central office staff, including the superintendent and associate superintendents, have almost nothing to do with the process.

"The applications don't even come to us," Cagle said.

Outside of the school board, only school system attorney Nick Sojka is privy to the details of the hiring process.