Providence moves forward with hunt for superintendent

A search committee has identified four finalists as Providence looks for its next schools chief. The school board is scheduled to hear details about the candidates in a closed session on Monday.

School and city officials are keeping the candidates’ identities a secret, which they say is a common professional courtesy. The idea is that applicants could jeopardize their current positions if districts knew they were shopping around.

A total of 13 people applied for the top job in Providence, including interim Superintendent Susan Lusi. The search committee has not conducted interviews of the candidates. Finalists were selected based on their resumes and their answers to a questionnaire delving into approaches to district management and public school reform.

The school board plans to interview each of the finalists before making a decision. School officials say they hope to announce a selection by mid to late April.