A decision on a new superintendent of the Mt. Lebanon School District appears imminent as the search committee has narrowed the field to two candidates and final interviews are being conducted this week.

The new superintendent will succeed John Allison, who is leaving in early July to become superintendent of the Wichita Public Schools in Wichita, Kan., near Kansas City, where his elderly parents live.

Mr. Allison has been Mt. Lebanon superintendent since July 2007.

In March, after Mr. Allison announced that he was leaving the district, the Mt. Lebanon school board hired the superintendent search firm McPherson and Jacobson.

The goal was to have a new superintendent in place by the time Mr. Allison leaves.

There were about 25 applicants for the superintendent's position, said district spokeswoman Cissy Bowman.

Of that, 20 were deemed qualified. The search firm narrowed that group to six finalists who were interviewed.

The interviews for the two finalists taking place this week will include teams of administrators, staff, central office personnel, students, parents and community members and leaders.

Ms. Bowman said she could not release details about the two finalists, but she expected a decision soon.

The board has three meetings scheduled in June: an architect's update on the high school project on Monday; the monthly discussion meeting on June 8; and the monthly action meeting on June 15.

Ms. Bowwman said a vote could be taken at any of those meetings to approve a new superintendent.