The search for the next superintendent of education in Demopolis is hitting its final stage.

The deadline for applicants to have their resumes postmarked was Monday.

“In all, I think we’ve received 12 to 14,” interim superintendent Dr. Neil Hyche said. “Truthfully, I haven’t counted them. I’ve just taken them and put them in a locked drawer as they come in.”

Hyche said he expected to open the envelopes today (Wednesday) and begin placing them in folders for the panel to begin their review.

“We plan to screen during the month of March, but the problem I’ve run into is that the screeners all have different spring break weeks,” Hyche said. “That’s just a minor problem, but we will work that out. We’re still going to screen (the resumes) this month.”

Interviews are expected to take place in April, which will likely bring the top five or six candidates to Demopolis for a full interview.

“I was pleased with the response we’ve received. It’s a little bit more than what I expected,” Hyche said. “I think we’re looking for someone at the right time. There are some good candidates out there just looking for a little more security, with the economy being the way that it is.”

The bulk of the respondents, Hyche noted, were from in-state.