Richland 2 announces finalists for its next superintendent. Here’s what we know

Richland 2 has announced candidates for its next leader.

Nearly 40 applicants from 20 states applied for the job, according to a district news release. Following a special called board meeting on Monday, the school board narrowed the pool to three finalists: Nia Campbell, Benjamin Henry and Kim Moore.

The school district provided the following information about the three finalists.

Campbell is the chief academic officer for Aurora Public Schools in Colorado, where she oversees 53 schools and 38,000 students. She has been a high school math teacher, an assistant principal and a principal. She has also been an adjunct professor, teaching doctoral candidates.

Campbell received a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Wagner College and a master’s degree in educational leadership from National Louis University. She also received an educational specialist degree and a doctorate in educational leadership from Argosy University.

Henry is the regional superintendent of Polk County Schools in Polk County, Florida, where he is responsible for 29 schools. He is originally from South Carolina. He previously spent nearly two decades as a special education teacher, a middle school math teacher and a principal. He also sat on Florida’s Education Ethics Committee.

Henry earned a bachelor’s degree in special education from Alabama State University, a master’s degree in computer information systems and a doctoral degree in Educational Leadership.

Moore also hails from Florida, and is the assistant superintendent of career and innovative programs for the Pasco County School District. She leads the district’s workforce development programs, PreK-12 STEM/STEAM schools and technical college. After retiring from the military as a U.S. Army Chemical Corps Officer, she has been a teacher, principal, administrator, director and assistant superintendent. She has also been an adjunct faculty member for Nova Southeastern University and executive director of Maxwell Leadership.

Moore earned her bachelor’s degree in biology from Widener University and a master’s degree in administration from Central Michigan University. She earned an educational specialist degree and a doctoral degree in educational leadership from Nova Southeastern University.

Candidates will each spend a day in Columbia next week for interviews, according to a district news release. Parents, students and teachers, as well as other community members selected using a lottery system, will have the opportunity to serve on interview panels. The school board will also conduct in-depth, closed-door interviews.

The final selection for the district’s top spot is scheduled for June 23 at a special called school board meeting and will be announced June 27.

Nancy Gregory will continue to serve as interim superintendent in the meantime. She was chosen for the role after former superintendent Baron Davis abruptly resigned from his post in January.

Rumors of Davis potentially being fired had caught the community’s attention for weeks before he resigned after a six-hour closed-door board meeting. He was paid $615,000 via a settlement agreement upon his departure — a lump sum of $415,518.68, $124,481.32 for accrued sick days and vacation leave and another $75,000 for “all disputed claims,” which is not further defined in the agreement.