BRISTOL ­- Three finalists for the superintendent of schools position at the Newfound Area School District are visiting district schools this week, school officials said.

The candidates are seeking to fill the position of Dr. Marie Ross, who died last month from a cancerous brain tumor.

Each candidate's schedule included a day of touring the schools in the district, officials said.

"The school board is hoping to gain as much community interaction as possible during these days, as it is truly a community leadership position that all interested parties should support," said Newfound Business Administrator Dan Rossner.

Monday's candidate was Stacey Buckley, who is currently the superintendent of SAU 19 which includes Goffstown, Dunbarton and New Boston Schools, officials said.

Wednesday brought candidate Antonio Fernandes to the district.

Fernandes is a retired superintendent from Massachusetts who served as superintendent of the Mendon-Upton Regional School District until 2011.

The third candidate, arriving Friday, is Timothy Richard, who is currently the principal of Woodward High School in Mesa, Ariz. Richard grew up in the Lakes Region and served in the U.S. Air Force prior to his career in education.

A formal interview with the school board concludes each day.

The board will meet on Monday night to take input from district officials on their impressions of the candidates, said interim Superintendent Dr. Phil McCormick.

"The hope is to have someone in place by early- to mid-March," he said.

The Newfound Area Cooperative School District serves students in Alexandria, Bridgewater, Bristol, Danbury, Groton, Hebron and New Hampton.

dseufert@newstote.com