Lexington 1 picks 3 finalists for school chief

Three finalists, including one in-house, are in the running to become Lexington 1 school superintendent.

The choices announced Friday are:

▪ Jeff Salters, a top aide to retiring Superintendent Karen Woodward. He has overseen operations, school construction and technology at Lexington 1.

▪ Mount Airy, N.C. superintendent Gregory Little.

▪ Lutcher, La. superintendent Lonnie Ray Luce. He is a former deputy superintendent in Greenville County in the Upstate.

The three were chosen from among 50 candidates. They will meet with Lexington 1 officials next week, with no public sessions announced.

Lexington 1 stretches across nearly half the 758-square-mile county. It has 25,000 students, an enrollment making it the second largest school district in the Columbia area. Its 30 schools in communities such as Lexington, Gilbert, Pelion, Oak Grove and Red Bank are rated among the best in South Carolina.

Selection of the new school chief may come in a few weeks, according a statement attributed to the seven-member School Board.

This story was originally published January 8, 2016 at 5:44 PM with the headline "Lexington 1 picks 3 finalists for school chief."