Meet the three candidates for Jasper County superintendent

The Jasper County school board has named three veteran educators as finalists for permanent schools superintendent.

Each candidate will be interviewed next week and spend a full day in Jasper County, touring the schools and community, the board said Tuesday. The new superintendent should be on the job by July 1.

Donald Andrews, superintendent for Cumberland County in Crossville, Tenn., has served as a superintendent for 19 years. He previously worked in the same post in Randolph County in Asheboro, N.C., and Hartnett County in Lillington, N.C. Andrews announced his resignation from the Cumberland County system last summer and serves until June 30, according to the district.

Cynthia Brictson, interim deputy superintendent of curriculum and instruction for DeKalb County in Atlanta, was previously a regional superintendent in the same system and principal of an 1,100-student elementary school in Clayton County, Ga. She transformed the school into a K-5 Flagship Technology School, according to Jasper County officials.

Marcella Heyward-Evans, chief instructional officer for Lexington School District 2 in Columbia, was previously a principal and director of elementary education in the same system. She has served in her current role since 2010.

“These are three very highly qualified candidates and they are very interested in joining us in Jasper County,” school board chairman Tedd Moyd said. “We have challenges ahead, but we also have great opportunities.”

The finalists were selected from 50 applicants from 20 different states.

Larry Heath has served as interim superintendent in Jasper County since January, soon after former superintendent Vashti Washington resigned after about five years on the job.

This story was originally published June 1, 2016 at 9:26 AM with the headline "Meet the three candidates for Jasper County superintendent."