COLUMBIA — Richland One's school board chose three out-of-state administrators as finalists to succeed outgoing Superintendent Craig Witherspoon , who is set to resign June 30.

The Columbia school district's search firm received 42 applications for the job, the district said, and seven applicants were interviewed by the board.

“The board was fortunate that so many highly qualified applicants want to take on the role of superintendent in Richland One," board chair Robert Lominack said in a statement. "We could not be more excited about the three finalists, and we look forward to welcoming them to our district next week."

All three finalists are set to visit Columbia on May 19, and the district will hold a 5:30 p.m. meet-and-greet at the Heyward Career and Technology Center located at 3560 Lynhaven Drive.

The selection of the three finalists keeps the board on track to meet its goal of having a new superintendent hired in time for Witherspoon's departure.

Whoever ends up getting the district's top job will be tasked with improving academic outcomes for the district's 21,800 students, as well as navigating an in-the-works state audit and handling any future fallout from the district's canceled early learning center project.

Reach Ian Grenier at 803-968-1951. Follow him on X @IanGrenier1.