HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Hutchinson school board will meet in a special session at 6 p.m. on Jan. 4 in the Administration Center to narrow the list of candidates for the next superintendent of schools.

As required by law, the meeting will begin in open session, but then move to an executive session to discuss non-elected personnel.

No binding action will be taken at the end of the executive session.

The deadline for superintendent applications is Dec. 31. All applications go to the Kansas Association of School Boards in Topeka. KASB is assisting the USD 308 Board of Education in its search. As a result, the board and district staff do not know how many applications have been received.

After the Jan. 4 meeting, interviews with the candidates will be set up for the following week. It is anticipated interviews will begin as early as Jan. 7 and, depending on the number of finalists, continue to Jan. 11.

The days the board meets in special session with a candidate will be announced that day at 8 a.m. along with the finalist’s name and formal notice of the special meeting.