By MOLLY DAVIDSON / Staff Writer

HOOVER—The search for a new Hoover City Schools superintendent has been narrowed to four candidates, as Dr. John D. Barge withdrew from the process around noon on April 16, school officials confirmed.

According to an email from Jason Gaston, district coordinator of media and public relations, Barge withdrew from the superintendent search to accept a position in Georgia.

The Hoover City Schools superintendent search is being led by the Alabama Association of School Board. AASB education consultant Dr. Kendy Behrends announced the five finalists selected for the position during a special-called BOE meeting on April 14.

Along with Barge, Dublin City Schools Superintendent Dr. Charles Ledbetter, Oak Ridge City Schools Assistant Superintendent Dr. Chris Marczak, Monroe County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Kathy Murphy and Hartselle City Schools Superintendent Dr. Paul Wilson were named as finalists.

During the April 14 meeting, Behrends cautioned the board that candidates may withdraw from the process.

“Several of them are in other superintendent searches,” Behrends said. “It’s just the nature of the season, there are so many vacancies (across the country), not just here.”

The BOE plans to interview candidates beginning next week, although with Barge’s withdrawal, the schedule has not been finalized. Interviews will begin at 5:30 p.m. in the board room of the Hoover City Schools central office building and will be followed by a reception at 7:30 p.m.

Interviews will be open to the public and will be live-streamed and archived to the Hoover City Schools website, Hoovercityschools.net.