Superintendent vote back on Wake County agenda

The announcement comes two weeks after the board promised the much-anticipated hire. Sutton had promised that the new superintendent would be present when the board met June 4, but that didn't happen, and Sutton declined to say why.

"We are trying to make sure it's done right," Sutton said. "It would be premature until all aspects of the appointment are crystal clear."

The board has narrowed a field of 23 candidates down to three finalists, who have interviewed, toured schools, met with staff and took part in a community forum.

The candidates are Dana Bedden, superintendent of Irving Independent School District outside Dallas; James Merrill, superintendent of Virginia Beach City Public Schools; and Ann Clark, deputy superintendent of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools.

Whoever will run the school system will face a variety of issues from Day One, including helping build public support for an $810 million school construction bond referendum this fall and dealing with state legislation that’s expected to turn construction authority over to the Wake County Board of Commissioners.

Meanwhile, the board named Cathy Moore as the interim superintendent who will take over for Stephen Gainey. Moore, who currently serves as superintendent for School Performance, started Friday and will remain in the post until a permanent superintendent arrives.