Two local school districts are edging closer to hiring new superintendents.

According to Cayuga-Onondaga Board of Cooperative Educational Services Superintendent Bill Speck, a process to select new leaders for the Moravia Central School District and Cato-Meridian Central School District may be weeks away from completion, as both districts have narrowed the applicant field to two and three candidates, respectively.

“I've been very pleased with the quality of the candidates that have come forward,” he said. “It's very difficult times to lead school districts, and when you begin a search you have your fingers crossed that quality candidates will come forward. With both of these searches we've received a quality of applicants.”

In Moravia, the district's board of education, community and school groups narrowed the applicant field from 18 to two: Rob Price, currently the middle school principal at the Oneida Central School District; and Michelle Brantner, currently the high school principal at the Lansing Central School District.

Former Moravia Superintendent William Tammaro, who spent nine years at the district, left in January to take a position at the Delaware-Chenango-Madison-Otsego BOCES. The board hired Gordon Klumpp, former superintendent of the Groton Central School District, as interim superintendent.

In Cato-Meridian, the board, community and school groups narrowed the applicant field from 17 to three: Larry Thomas, currently the superintendent of the Otselic Valley Central School District; Deborah Grimshaw, currently the director of curriculum, instruction and special education at the Onondaga Central School District; and Noel Patteson, currently the high school principal at the Red Creek Central School District.

Current Superintendent Deborah Bobo will retire in June after leading the district for six years. She previously served as principal at the district's elementary school before taking the superintendent post in 2003.

The boards of education for both districts will take a look at the feedback provided by the various school and community groups to identify finalists. The Moravia board will invite the finalist to spend a day at the district to ensure it is the correct fit, and the Cato-Meridian board will conduct final interviews next week.

In both cases, offers are expected by the end of the month with a start date of July 1.

Staff writer Alyssa Sunkin can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 239 or alyssa.sunkin@lee.net