DEMOPOLIS &045; The first round of interviews for a new superintendent of education will begin Tuesday, but one highly popular local candidate will not be among those being considered.

Gary Holman, president of the Demopolis Board of Education, said this week that four interviews have been scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday. Four more interviews are expected to follow on March 6-7. Holman said four local candidates &045; Dr. Isaac Espy, Dr. Tony Speegle, Luke Hallmark and Ronald Roberts &045; will be interviewed first.

However, Hallmark, the superintendent of Marengo County schools, said Friday that he has withdrawn his name from consideration after being contacted to schedule his interview by Dr. Neil Hyche, a Tuscaloosa consultant who is leading the interview process.

With Hallmark’s departure, that leaves three local candidates who are seeking the post. Espy is principal of Demopolis High School. Speegle is principal at U.S. Jones Elementary School. Roberts is the former principal of Demoplis High School.

Holman did not release the names of the other four applicants who would be interviewed on March 6-7.

The first interviews will begin at 5 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday. The second interview on Tuesday is expected to begin at 6:30 p.m. No second interview is currently scheduled for Wednesday since Hallmark has dropped out.

Holman said the interviews are open to the public. Only Hyche and members of the school board will be allowed to ask questions.

Various members of the school board have said they expect to find Dr. Wesley Hill’s replacement by the middle of March. Hill is retiring after nearly 30 years as superintendent.