The Auburn Enlarged City School Board of Education is expected to determine whether to appoint or conduct a search for the next school superintendent at a special meeting Wednesday.

The meeting slated for 6 p.m. at the school's administrative building, 78 Thornton Ave., comes a week after board President Michael Stearns called for a consensus on the superintendent search by the next regular meeting June 12.

“We will walk out of there with a decision,” Stearns said. “I think this will be the first step in the process.”

The alternative to a wide-ranging search would be a promotion from within the district. The board has discussed some internal candidates during in recent executive sessions.

Developments have been delayed due to the absence of board members at each of the last few school board meetings. Board member Fred Cornelius will be absent Wednesday, but has authorized Stearns to speak on his behalf.

Superintendent John Plume is retiring after six years with the district at the end of July. Stearns said making an appointment - interim or otherwise - will be unlikely Wednesday.

“We'll talk about (it), but I don't think that's going to happen,” he said.