RALEIGH — RALEIGH -- District of Columbia public schools officials have just confirmed that Anthony Tata, chief operations officer for the D.C. system, is a candidate for the post of Wake County Schools superintendent.

Wake County school board members have scheduled a meeting for 4:30 p.m. Thursday at which they are expected to choose a successor to former Superintendent Del Burns, who resigned after disputes with new school board leadership elected in fall 2009. Sources involved with the search had identified Tata as the leading candidate, but board members have refused to identify any candidate for the job.

"Mr. Tata has been a part of DCPS’ executive cabinet since June 2009 and is a well-qualified candidate," D.C. schools department spokeswoman Safiya Simmons said in a statement.

"His candidacy is a testament to the quality and talent of DCPS’ management team, and speaks to his wealth of experience."

The D.C. system said it would reserve further comment because Wake County "has yet to make its final selection."

Tata, 51, spent 28 years in the U.S. Army, rising to the rank of brigadier general. He also written action thrillers, contributed to political blogs and appeared as a commentator on network news talk shows.

thomas.goldsmith@newsobserver.com or 919-829-8929