Ellington

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — The state Board of Education has cut the field of possible state superintendents to five.

The board made the cut in a closed session Wednesday. The state Department of Education said in a statement that the board reviewed 11 applicants suggested by search firm Ray and Associates, which the firm had narrowed down from 64.

Board member Hal Gage, who's leading the search, says at least one of the finalists now lives in Mississippi.

Gage says the board isn't releasing names of finalists. Members plan to interview the finalists on Sept. 24, with hopes of naming a new leader of the state Department of Education in October.

Interim Superintendent Lynn House has served since Tom Burnham resigned last year. She has said she isn't a candidate for the permanent post.