More than 90 candidates have submitted applications for the job of Austin ISD superintendent, according to Vincent Torres, president of the AISD board of trustees.

At the board's Oct. 27 meeting, Torres said the executive search firm Ray & Assoc. is reviewing and screening applications to narrow down the list of candidates based on the superintendent profile developed using input from the community. The board plans to review and discuss those candidates Nov. 8 and conduct initial interviews later in November, Torres said.

"A second round of interviews and an open public forum will follow in early December," he said. "We expect to name a lone finalist by Dec. 15 and to hire a permanent superintendent in January."

Elections will be held Nov. 4 for five trustee seats on the board, meaning those newly elected members of the board likely would be able to vote on the hire.

Members of the public will be able to ask questions of candidates as part of the forum. The school district has been seeking a superintendent since Meria Carstarphen left AISD in April to lead Atlanta Public Schools. Paul Cruz is the district's interim superintendent.

More information about the board's superintendent search is available at www.austinisd.org/superintendent-search.