By Stephen Cowles

Members of the Isle of Wight School Board will interview candidates for the vacant Hardy District board seat during a special meeting today, according to officials with the county’s public school system.

The board also has begun considering how to fill Superintendent Dr. Katrise Perera’s position, which she has announced she will resign at the end of June to help take care of a family member.

Following Perera’s announcement in December, board members discussed whether to look internally or externally for a replacement. No plan has been finalized yet, according to school spokeswoman Kenita Bowers.

A budget work session is scheduled for 3 p.m. today in the School Board office, which is located behind Westside Elementary School in Smithfield. Perera will make a budget presentation Feb. 18 at Windsor High School and Feb. 19 at Smithfield High School. Both meetings begin at 6 p.m.

Leadership of the School Board changed hands during last week’s meeting. Chairwoman Julia Perkins of the Windsor District handed the gavel to Kent Hildebrand of the Newport District as the chairman for the year; Denise Tynes of the Smithfield District is the vice chair. Tracey Reutt and Sandra Carr are the board clerk and deputy clerk, respectively.

Board members also learned that Lindsey Ball, the student representative on the board, has been selected as a semifinalist for the Jefferson Scholars Award. The Windsor High School senior will be interviewed Jan. 24. If selected as a finalist, she will compete at the Jefferson Scholars Selection Weekend in March.