The Brookhaven School District Board of Trustees received 12 applications from individuals hoping to be the next superintendent of education, according to board attorney Bob Allen.

The position became available after current superintendent Ray Carlock announced his retirement. The new superintendent will start July 1 of next year.

In a statement, the board said it would begin the interview process in January.

Allen said the board has not set a deadline for hiring. The names of the 12 applicants are not being released.

“We commit to them that their names won’t be made public,” Allen said.

Allen did not respond to questions about the makeup of the 12 applicants — how many are male and female?; how many are inside applicants already employed by the district?; how many are currently superintendents in other districts?

Carlock was hired after Ben Cox retired in 2016 after two years in the job. Lisa Karmacharya, who was hired in 2011, resigned as superintendent in June 2013 with two years left on her contract after criticism and low performance in the state accountability ratings. Two days later, Stephanie Henderson was unanimously voted in as interim superintendent. She served seven months until Cox was hired.

The Brookhaven School District earned a C on the state report card in 2019, 2018, 2017 and 2016, up from a D in 2015.