By John L. Ross

Little was made public during a special-called meeting of the Barbourville Independent Board of Education Thursday.

However, the board is one step closer to hiring a new superintendent to take over the reins for current superintendent Larry Warren, whose contract was not renewed in November.

The meeting was slated for 6 p.m. — and two minutes later, the board entered into executive, or closed, session.

The board remained in the meeting room, along with three of the members of the Superintendent Search Committee, which is led by Paul Middleton.

At 6:32 p.m., the search committee was released from the executive session — but the session continued until after 7 p.m.

Once the meeting was reopened to the public, the vote was made to adjourn the meeting.

Board attorney Ashlee Valentine said after the meeting that two candidates will be interviewed for the position — but those applicant names will not be released.

Board members will meet again for a special-called meeting beginning 5 p.m. Monday.

Don Martin, a consultant with the Kentucky School Board Association (KSBA) had noted in March that 22 applications had been received.

A short list of criteria for the applicants was also provided during that meeting. Those criteria include being an outstanding educator with leadership skills capable of extending the momentum of excellence in the Barbourville Schools; having exemplary interpersonal skills to create and sustain a climate of high expectations and performance; and has a record of raising student achievement and a successful background in financial management in times of declining revenues.