The Herald Independent has learned that Fairfield County School Superintendent Dr. Samantha Ingram is a candidate for the position of Montgomery (Alabama) Public Schools Superintendent.

According to The Montgomery (Ala.) Advertiser newspaper, Ingram and four other candidates suggested by an educational consultant were approved by the Montgomery Board of Education in a meeting this past Thursday night..

Ingram is recovering at home following a fall in a school cafeteria..

Following is the story from The Montgomery (Ala) Advertiser. Reprinted by permission:

Slagle among five finalists for superintendent

Interim Montgomery Public Schools Superintendent Clay Slagle is one of five finalists for the position left vacant when John Dilworth accepted a similar post in Louisiana last April. The Montgomery Board of Education approved the candidates suggested by consultant Jim Huge at a special-called board meeting Thursday.

The Board will interview the candidates June 11 and 12.

All candidates have been interim, deputy or full superintendents, four hold a doctorate degree and Slagle has a master's degree in human relations and supervision.

One candidate besides Slagle comes from an Alabama school system, the rest are from out of state.

Huge said the Board wanted all candidates to be willing to stay in the position for three to five years, and the candidates' commitment to the area was critical in his assessment.

Here is a list of the candidates in alphabetical order:

Dr. Samantha J. Ingram, who is originally from Alabama, has served as superintendent of Fairfield County Schools in Winnsboro, S.C., since July 2007. She is a private consultant to the South Carolina Department of Education and a former Deputy Superintendent for Mobile County Schools in Alabama.

Dr. Fred D. Primm Jr., of York, has been superintendent for Sumter County Schools in Livingston, since July 2005 and as an adjunct professor at the University of West Alabama. He is a former director of human resources for Baldwin County Schools in Ala-

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* Slagle, currently interim superintendent for MPS, is the former chief operations officer for Montgomery Schools and served as assistant state superintendent for the Illinois State Board of Education.

Dr. Julian Stafford is the executive director of research and evaluation for the District of Columbia Office of the State Superintendent of Education. He held that position since February 2007 in Washington, D.C. He is a former area superintendent for New Orleans Public Schools and superintendent for New London Public Schools in New London, Conn.

Dr. Barbara W. Thompson serves as superintendent of schools for New Glarus School District in New Glarus, Wis. She was the former supervisor of alternative programs for Madison Public Schools, Madison, Wis.

The interviews likely will include sessions with groups including elected officials, community and business leaders, as well as a public forum for the candidates, Huge said. A full schedule of the meetings will be provided as soon as it is finalized.

Herald Independent note: Check www.heraldindependent.com for further details as this story develops