Fifteen applicants have expressed interest in becoming superintendent when two school districts merge in the Mississippi Delta.

The Greenwood Commonwealth reports that the Greenwood and Leflore County districts are set to consolidate into a single district July 1.

The Greenwood-Leflore School Board has extended its contract with the Mississippi School Board Association, which is screening applicants for the top job in the new district.

The board president, Deirdre Mayes says board members met in closed session and discussed a contract extension with the association’s executive director, Michael Waldrop, and its superintendent search consultant, Tommye Henderson.

The extension will allow the association to conduct preliminary in-person interviews with applicants. The school board will conduct in-person interviews of superintendent candidates based on the association’s recommendations.