FRANKLIN—Franklin Public School officials are scheduling interviews for vacant principal positions at J.P. King Middle and Franklin High schools and could soon recommend a candidate for the top job at S.P. Morton Elementary School.

S.P. Morton Elementary School Principal Don Spengeman retired in June and Dr. Rodney Berry at FHS and Angela Byrd-Wright at J.P. King resigned last month.

Gail Wade, the school district’s human resources director, said final candidates are in place for the S.P. Morton job. Wade wasn’t sure if Superintendent Dr. Michelle Belle would make a recommendation to the School Board during its 7:30 p.m. Thursday, July 19, meeting.

“We’ve already done interviews for S.P. Morton and have final candidates,” Wade said.

Belle did not return a phone call.

The board last month voted 5-2 against promoting S.P. Morton Assistant Principal Lisa Francis to principal. Wade couldn’t say if Francis was still being considered.

Francis couldn’t be reached.

Board Member Edna King said she doesn’t know when the board will discuss the elementary school position.

“Our focus will be getting organized as a board,” King said.

Ward 6 Board Member Cindy Fillhart also isn’t sure when the board will discuss the job openings, but hopes the principals are in place in August.

Wade said the schools’ interview committee, which usually consists of herself, Belle, Associate Director of Instruction Beverly Rabil and an assistant principal or teacher, would begin conducting interviews to replace Berry and Byrd-Wright.

“It’s mid-July, and at the best, it’d be the first of August,” Wade said. “That’d be our goal. That way they’d be in school a month before students return and a few weeks before teachers return.”

Wade believes principals are paid $50,000 to $80,000.