RALEIGH — Wake County school board members say they may be able to hire a superintendent by January. They met behind closed doors Monday to review applicants recommended by a search firm.

The search firm of Heidrick & Struggles presented what it considered to be the top applicants from a field of at least 26 job candidates. School board member Chris Malone, a member of the board's search committee, said members have narrowed the list but haven't yet gotten to the point of naming finalists.

School board Chairman Ron Margiotta said he's optimistic that they can hire a new superintendent by January.

The names of the applicants aren't being released, Malone and Margiotta said, but all the applicants now being given strong consideration have both education and management experience but aren't all superintendents. The board had eliminated the requirement that the superintendent be an educator.

Del Burns announced his resignation in February, citing disagreements with the school board over the elimination of the diversity policy and other issues. Donna Hargens has been serving as interim superintendent.