Twenty-seven candidates have applied to become the next superintendent of Surry County Public Schools.

Surry’s School Board released demographic information, but no names, following a 2 p.m. closed meeting on Aug. 1 with representatives from the Virginia School Boards Association, which is assisting the division in its search.

Applicants, according to a VSBA summary, include 14 men and 13 women. Nine candidates are from out of state, including two from North Carolina, two from New Jersey, and one each from California, Indiana, Maryland, New York and Pennsylvania.

Seven are current or former superintendents. Another seven are current or former assistant or deputy superintendents.

Eight are central office administrators. Three are principals, and two currently hold other positions.

Former superintendent Serbrenia Sims retired on June 30 after four years as the division’s leader. In July, the School Board voted to name Giron Wooden, who’d served as assistant superintendent under Sims, as its acting superintendent.

Per state law, the School Board has 180 days starting July 1 to name Sims’ permanent replacement.