PENDLETON — Two of seven candidates for superintendent of Anderson School District 4 are from within the district, with “about a fourth” from out of state, said board Chairman Tom Dobbins.

Candidates will be reviewed by school board members during the next two weeks and the list narrowed down to three for formal interviews with the board. Dobbins has said he hopes to make a final decision regarding a new superintendent by the end of the month. He declined to name the seven candidates.

“The pool was very strong,” Dobbins said. “We were very pleased.”

On Monday, the board heard from a search firm regarding the candidates and reviewed the results of surveys from the community and school staff and focus groups about what those groups would like in a new superintendent. More than 300 people responded to the survey, and roughly 80 people attended group meetings and forums, according to a District 4 news release.

The new superintendent should have experience as a principal and in a district office setting, be a good communicator, and understand school finances and instruction, Dobbins said the survey found.

Within the district, 78 teachers, 16 administrators, 47 support staff members and 22 other employees responded to the survey, according to the report.

The school board will meet to formally review the candidates on Monday. Board members plan to meet in executive session to go over the list, Dobbins said.

The board hired a search firm from Columbia, the Childs and Halligan law firm, to come up with the pool of seven, and a former superintendent has supplied notes about each candidate, which Dobbins said the board members will go over in culling the list.

The search cost is expected to be between $2,000 and $3,000, not including travel costs for candidates, Dobbins said earlier.

Gary Burgess retired effective Aug. 1 and had served from June 2003. Prior to being named superintendent, he was principal of Pendleton High School for four years.