RICHFIELD SPRINGS, N.Y. -- When the superintendent of the Richfield Springs Central School District decided to resign in 2015, the search for a new superintendent was on, starting with 12 candidates.

"We narrowed that down a couple of weeks ago to six candidates.," said Richfield Springs CSD Board of Education President Scot Mondore. "Last week we had two nights of interviews with all six candidates, and the board narrowed the search down to the three finalists."

On Tuesday, each candidate participated in full-day interviews and then took questions from the public in the evening.

"The community has a chance to ask whatever questions they deem appropriate to ask so that we can be sure to pick the appropriate candidate to lead our district into the future," said Mondore.

"I think it's excellent," said Virginia Shaw, a resident of Richfield Springs. "I think that schools have been moving in this direction, and I'm glad to see they have this open forum so that parents, grandparents, and teachers could come and ask specific questions."

Some residents say the next superintendent needs to be reliable and with the district for the long run.

"I'm looking for, you know, longevity in the person," said Shaw.

"We expect someone that's truthful," Mondore said. "We expect someone that can reach out to this community, and see what's special about this community, and special about the students and the staff."

The board says the new superintendent should be announced in late April.