The DeKalb County Board of Education will hear for the first time today about the candidates who have expressed interest in leading the district.

Officials from BWP & Associates, the Illinois search firm selected to find candidates for the next DeKalb County School District leader, are expected to present candidates to the school board this afternoon during a called meeting. The presentations will be done in executive session, due to the confidential route officials are taking.

Search firm officials have said a confidential process allows for better candidates, as many who would apply could be turned off by having a current employer become aware of their potential interest in leaving.

"In the state of Georgia, you have a lot of latitude in how you can deal with the issue of confidentiality," Kevin Castner, a retired superintendent and consultant leading the DeKalb search firm team, said in October.

Former Superintendent Steve Green announced in May that he intended to leave at the end of the 2019-2020 school year.

Instead, he and the board agreed to part ways in November.

The application period for the position ended last month. Next month, the board is expected to select a finalist and negotiate a contract and starting date for a new leader.