More than a dozen applications were submitted to be the principal of South Whidbey Elementary School next year.

The deadline to apply was March 29. District Superintendent Jo Moccia said she had received     16 applications, mostly from Washington, though one was from Alaska and one from California. The applications were reviewed Thursday night by a group of 23 people, including three parents and staff from the elementary school.

After the school district returns from its spring break, interviews will begin. The interview team is comprised of 17 people: 12 faculty and staff from the elementary school, three parents and two administrators. Six semifinalists will be interviewed Monday, April 9 in a closed process. Two finalists will be selected and interviewed April 17 and April 19. They will see students, host a faculty meeting and then have dinner with the superintendent. A public forum will follow in the evenings.

Moccia met with student representatives at the elementary school to get their input, too. She asked them what they wanted their next principal to be like, what qualities would be desirable, and what could be done to improve the school.