The Wayne County Board of Education plans to interview two firms that could assist in the district’s superintendent search.

Last week, the Board of Education decided upon two firms out of the six brought to the board by its attorney Richard Schwartz.

With dozens of superintendent openings in North Carolina, school board chair Chris West says it’s important to move forward on the search as quickly as possible.

School board member Jennifer Strickland was already sold on the North Carolina School Board Association.

School board member Wade Leatham was interested in hearing from Rays and Associates, which is headquartered in Iowa, but has offices in Durham.

The Wayne County Board of Education decided they would interview the North Carolina School Board Association and Ray and Associates for the superintendent search during a meeting that’s being planned for this Wednesday, July 29.

WCPS Superintendent Dr. Michael Dunsmore officially resigned in late June after it was disclosed the district had a nearly $5 million deficit in its fund balance.  Dr. James Merrill is currently serving as the interim superintendent for Wayne County Public Schools.