The Decatur County School Board will hold its first two interviews of perspective superintendent candidates today during a called board meeting. The school board received 28 applications for the position and chose to interview six that they deemed the most qualified. The interviews will take place over a two-week period.

“I thought it was an outstanding pool,” Henry Cooper, who was hired to assist the board in the search, said. “Bainbridge is a nice town that people are attracted to and I thought the pool was really good.”

Of the 28 applicants, 17 have a doctorate and 13 are currently or have previously been superintendents.

Twenty-two of the candidates are from the state of Georgia with the rest being from out of state including candidates from Alaska, Texas, Illinois and Indiana.

“I feel good,” Board Chairman Sydney Cochran said. “Its encouraging. They all appear to be qualified candidates.”

As the interview process begins, Cooper applauded the school board for the way they have handled the search up to this point.

“They have been very methodical,” Cooper said. “I am impressed with their selection process.”

The board does have the option of interviewing additional candidates from the pool if they decide to.

“All of the 28 are still in the pool,” Cooper said. “They have selected six they want to bring in.”

According to a community survey prepared by King-Cooper Associates the qualities the community most desire in the next superintendent are someone who is honest, willing to make tough decisions, has high ethical and moral standards and a strong work ethic. They also desire someone who is willing to admit his or her mistakes.

The called board meeting for the first two interviews will be held at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday afternoon at the Decatur County Farm Bureau Office.