Eighteen applicants from across the country are hoping to replace South Whidbey School District Superintendent Fred McCarthy when he retires in June.

Representatives of McPherson & Jacobson, the executive search firm hired by the school district to find a new superintendent, said six women and 12 men had applied for the job.

Most of the job seekers — a total of 10 — live in Washington state. The other applicants hail from Oregon, New York, Pennsylvania and Saudi Arabia.

But the number of applicants isn’t as significant as the quality of the candidates, said Al Cohen, one of the consultants with McPherson & Jacobson.

“From what I’ve seen so far, I’m very pleased by the quality of the applicants,” Cohen said. “At this point in time, I’m confident that we will have a good group to share with the school board.”

“Hopefully, it will make the decision a difficult one,” he added.

Six of those who have submitted applications reportedly hold a doctoral degree. The search consultants also said the group includes at least one person currently working as a superintendent, two who have prior experience in such a post, plus two who have been superintendents or in leadership roles in the international school community. Other candidates include those who have worked at the assistant superintendent level, and one of the applicants is a principal.

The search consultants are currently checking references and backgrounds. The school board is expected to meet with the consultants to screen the applicants and come up with a short list of applicants at a two-hour meeting on April 25.

Cohen said the short list may include six or so finalists.

On May 7, the board will meet with the observer team and interview the semi-finalists.

Observers will include a representative from the administration, members of the three unions with workers in the district, a representative from the district office, plus two PTA members and two community representatives.

On May 17, 18, 19, the three finalists will spend a day each touring the district, meeting with staff and attending a community forum.

McCarthy was hired by the school board in September 2006, and had planned to serve the district as superintendent until 2012. His departure is effective June 30.