COURTLAND—Nineteen have applied to be superintendent of Southampton County Public Schools.

School Board member and Search Committee Chairwoman Roberta Naranjo would not say whether any of the applicants work for the district.

“I’m not going to answer that right now,” Naranjo said. “We worked this out with the VSBA (Virginia School Board Association).”

Dr. Tim Kelly, assistant superintendent of the county schools, and Dr. Wayne Smith, executive director of administration personnel, are qualified for the job.

Superintendent Charles Turner in November announced his retirement after 45 years of service, including 13 years as the top administrator. Turner plans to leave on June 30.

The school board is following guidelines set by the Virginia School Board Association for its search. Other School Board members on the search committee are Deborah Goodwyn, Chris Smith and Denise Bunn.

The application deadline was Feb. 24. Interviews will be conducted this month and in April, and an announcement of the new superintendent should be made in April or May.

Naranjo noted she is happy with the response.

“There’s seven other districts I know that are using VSBA (to find a superintendent),” she said. “It’s a very difficult time for anyone to think about moving around and applying for a state position.”

“It really takes someone who just has a sincere love of education,” she added. “It’s a very difficult job.”

Six applicants are former or current superintendents, three are assistant superintendents, seven are central office administrators and one is a principal.

Fourteen applicants are from Virginia. Others are from Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, Iowa and Michigan. Thirteen men have applied and six women.