The Mercer Island School Board members recently conducted 45-minute Zoom interviews with the seven semifinalist candidates in the running to succeed retiring school district Superintendent Donna Colosky at the end of this school year.

As of the March 1 deadline for application, the board had amassed 25 qualified applicants and narrowed the field down to the semifinalists during an executive session on March 7 with search consultant Lydia Musher. Board president Maggie Tai Tucker and Musher had previously phone screened the group of 25.

The semifinalist interviews took place on March 9-10, and after conducting reference checks, Tucker and Musher plan to announce the names of the three finalists on March 17.

In total, there were 10 hours of executive sessions during the week that included the semifinalist selections and interviews. Finalist interviews have been scheduled for March 21.

“Candidates will tour schools, interview with the board, and take part in evening community sessions open to the public both in person and by Zoom,” Tucker wrote in an online letter to the school community.

They plan to make their final selection in April, according to Tucker.

For information about the community sessions and to register, visit https://tinyurl.com/mhmybdep.

Session participants will fill out a feedback survey and the board will review those responses before discussing and voting on a final selection, Tucker wrote.