The search for a new superintendent of education for the Troy city schools reaches a plateau Monday when school board members interview their first candidate.

Already, the field has narrowed to four with the withdrawal of Orman Bridges Jr. from Amory, Miss. Bridges accepted a position in another school system.

The task before the school board is difficult. All the candidates are highly qualified individuals and professional educators. Each could expertly lead the school system -- that was the purpose behind having a consulting firm take the first cut on the candidates.

The real question becomes which individual is best suited for Troy's unique character the school system's specific needs.

Outgoing superintendent Hank Jones seemed to capture the essence of the system's needs: Troy needs a fine tuner, someone who can build on success and link the schools to the community as a whole.

Added that, we believe, is finding the person who puts our children's needs first and concentrates on making education the priority it is.

The school board's members will have a difficult week ahead of them, but with the community's support and direction, they will arrive at the right decision.