The Kentucky Board of Education has advanced five candidates in its search for a successor to Commissioner Terry Holliday, who is retiring at the end of the month.
The Department of Education said in a news release Tuesday it will release the candidates' names later this week if they don't object.
The board met Tuesday and didn't rule out adding additional candidates to its list, to be decided Friday before starting second-round interviews on Friday and Saturday in Lexington.
Board Chairman Roger Marcum said the board wants to name the new commissioner as soon as possible but is more concerned with hiring the right person.
Associate Commissioner and General Counsel Kevin C. Brown will serve as interim commissioner until a new commissioner begins.