Trustees with Port Neches-Groves Independent School District have been busy reviewing applications and are scheduled to begin interviewing candidates for the superintendent’s spot next week.

Board president Darren McCutcheon could only say that a “good number of candidates applied” and that the board spent almost three hours reviewing the applications on Friday.

Special meetings are set for Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday where trustees will interview applicants during closed session. No action will be taken during the meetings.

This marks McCutcheon’s third time to take part in a superintendent search during his time on the board and his first time working with interim superintendent Jimmy Creel on the task. Creel previously led the district as superintendent and came back to help in the search back in June.

“I am thoroughly impressed with how he (Creel) broke this down and his method of how to get from point A to point B,” McCutcheon said.

Creel, he said, sent a survey to every employee in the school district asking for feedback for what they want to see in a superintendent. The answers are anonymous.

“A lot of them are looking for qualities similar to that of Dr. Creel,” he said.

Creel, who is not in the running for the position, said he believes the employees are looking forward to a good, strong leader and he is confident that person will be found.

“We’re going to do our due diligence on every candidate that has applied,” Creel said. “I believe this board will come to a consensus on someone they support and work with and will be a great leader for a great district.”

Last month trustees and Creel crafted a set of qualifications needed for the superintendent’s job that was posted to the Texas ISD job site. Besides the upcoming interviews next week, the board may also opt to hold additional interviews Nov. 13-16 and a lone finalist will be announced Nov. 20. The board could hire a new superintendent on Dec. 12 with a start date of Jan. 8, 2017, according to the job posting.