JACKSON – The search for a new Northampton County Schools superintendent is heating up.

Two public forums along with and a special called meeting have been scheduled in relation to the search.

The Northampton County Board of Education is seeking citizens’ input in the selection of the new superintendent.

At the Board’s regular meeting Monday night, two public forums were scheduled to take public comment on what citizens would like to see in their next superintendent of schools, including desired characteristics and experiences.

The first public forum will be on Wednesday, March 12 at 6 p.m. at Northampton County High School-West, while the second forum will be held on Thursday, March 13 at 6 p.m. at Northampton County High School-East.

In relation, board members will convene in a special called meeting in closed session to discuss the superintendent vacancy and search on March 25 at 10 a.m.

The meeting will be held in the board room of the Northampton County Administrative Office.

The North Carolina School Boards Association search process time line presented in January allowed applications to be turned in until March 4.

The board is projected to have candidates narrowed down by March 24 and the interviewing and checking of references will be done in April.

The time line anticipates the announcement of a new schools superintendent by May 12.

Northampton County Schools Dr. Kathi Gibson retired January 1 after three years with the school district.