CAIRO — The Grady County Board of Education identified two candidates as finalists for its superintendent search. 

Following a special meeting called Monday at 5 p.m., Dr. Eric J. McFee and Dr. Zheadric E. Barbra were chosen based on the criteria set by the search, according to Gerald Goosby, the board chairman.

Goosby said that interviews for the finalists would be held next week on Monday and Tuesday at 5:30 p.m., with any announcements for their final selection being planned sometime after. 

McFee graduated in 2000 from Florida Gulf Coast University with his Masters in Educational Leadership and received a Doctorate in Organizational Leadership in 2016 from Grand Canyon University. 

He is currently employed as a principal of Cook County High School in Adel since 2018, and previously acted as superintendent for Murray County Public Schools and principal of a school district of Lee County, Florida. 

Barbra graduated in 2002 from Jackson State University with his Masters in Educational Administration and received a Doctorate in Educational Leadership in 2006 from Georgia Southern University. 

He is currently employed as deputy superintendent for the Liberty County School System in Hinesville, where he has been since 2018, and previously acted as assistant superintendent of Syracuse (New York) City School District and principal of Carson Middle School in Greene County. 

The Grady County Board of Education began its search for a new superintendent in October 2021. 

Payton Fletcher can be reached at 229-226-2400, ext. 1826