CHARLOTTE – Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools’ three finalists for superintendent include the district’s chief academic officer and two sitting superintendents.

School district officials announced in a Monday, April 9, news release that they have narrowed the search to the following three candidates:

• Kriner Cash, superintendent of Memphis City Schools in Memphis, Tenn., Tennessee’s largest school district with more than 110,000 students. Since taking the position in 2008, Kriner helped Memphis City Schools win a seven-year, $90 million grant to carry out a teacher-effectiveness initiative and raised the graduation rate to a historic high of 72.6 percent.

• Ann Clark, chief academic officer at Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. Clark leads the district’s curriculum and instruction and oversees area superintendents and principals. Since joining the school district in 1983, Clark has served as a teacher, principal at the elementary, middle and high school levels, associate superintendent of educational services and regional superintendent.

• Heath Morrison, superintendent of the Washoe County School District in Reno, Nev., Nevada’s second-largest school district with 63,000 students in 93 schools. Under his leadership, the school district increased its graduation rate from 56 to 70 percent. The Nevada Association of School Superintendents and the Nevada Association of School Boards named him the 2011 Superintendent of the Year.

Candidates met the community Wednesday, April 11, during a round of school visits and panel discussions. On Thursday, April 12, candidates will tour and visit more schools, meet with district principals, attend an invitation-only lunch with area education officials and elected representatives and participate in interviews with the school board.

The board is expected to announce the new superintendent in early May.