The Demopolis Board of Education is presently at work filling the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) vacancy, which was opened by Linda Agee’s departure to the Saraland School System earlier this month.

Dr. Neil Hyche, who served as Demopolis’ Interim Superintendent of Education after the departure of Dr. Wayne Vickers – who also left for Saraland in the Summer of 2009 – is helping head the search and selection process.

Hyche said he has received 17 applications, however governmental restrictions have further complicated an already complicated search.

“About 95 percent of the CFOs in the state were grandfathered in when the new law was passed,” he said. “Back then, they were called head bookkeepers.”

Regulations passed in 2006 stipulate that school system CFOs must undergo extensive training in government accounting, which includes up to 18 hours of continuing education annually. Also, a background and certification as a Certified Public Accountant is preferred.

Of the 17 applicants, Hyche said two were presently serving in a CFO capacity.

Hyche has enlisted the help of two CPAs in the screening process; Rick Harbin, of Tuscaloosa and Rob Pearson, of Demopolis.

The screening panel will determine whose background and education best suits the needs of the school system and they hope to have that process complete by the end of the week.

A formal interview process will follow.