The Hickman Mills school board is interviewing — via Zoom — six semi-finalists this week who are vying to be the district’s next superintendent.

The board expects to present the finalists early next week to the public, posting resumes and video interviews by the board.

Fifty-four candidates from 21 states applied for the post, the school board announced. The board is seeking a successor to Yolanda Cargile, who is leaving Hickman Mills to become the superintendent of neighboring Center School District.

Carl Skinner, Hickman Mills’ deputy superintendent of student services, is serving as interim superintendent.

The consulting firm Ray and Associates is guiding the superintendent search. The firm conducted a community survey earlier this spring to set priorities that informed the selection process as the firm performed background checks and conducted interviews to present 10 candidates to the board.

The board reviewed the materials and video answers to questions from the firm to narrow the field to six.