Seven first-round candidates will be interviewed for the state's top job in public education after the State Board of Education approved a list Tuesday during its monthly meeting.

Public interviews are expected to begin next week for a slate of candidates announced by the eight-member board as it seeks to fill the position of state superintendent of public instruction being vacated by Michael Rice in October.

Candidates are:

∎ Thomas Ahart, a coach to superintendents and other educators and a former superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools in Iowa

∎Lisa Coons, a former Virigina state superintendent of public instruction

∎Glenn Maleyko, superintendent of Dearborn Public Schools

∎Paul Salah, superintendent of Huron Valley Schools

∎John R. Severson, executive director of the Michiga

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