District 1 may choose new chief Friday

Richland 1 school trustees will meet in a special session Friday morning with the goal of naming a new superintendent.

Board chairwoman Wendy C. Brawley expressed confidence fellow members have had enough time to review credentials, notes from one-on-one interviews with the three finalists and conversations with constituents who attended a meet-and-greet event.

In the running to replace Allen J. Coles, whose contract is being allowed to expire June 30, are:

• Gerald D. Dawkins, 59, superintendent of Saginaw, Mich., city schools

• Percy A. Mack, 57, superintendent of Dayton, Ohio, city schools

• Craig Witherspoon, 42, superintendent of Edgecombe County, N.C., schools.

Dawkins and Witherspoon said they were told during interviews a week ago that a decision likely would come this week.