With three candidates awaiting a call to become Hart County’s next school superintendent, competition for one of them could be growing in south Georgia.

The Hart County Board of Education indicated on Monday that a list of 34 applicants to replace retiring superintendent Nancy Clark had been narrowed to three educators: Craig Dowling of Conyers, David Hicks of Carrollton and Jose Boza of Athens.

A few days earlier, on May 24, the Bulloch County Board of Education in Statesboro identified Mr. Boza as one of its three finalists for superintendent, according to the Athens Banner-Herald.

Mr. Boza is the executive director of instructional services for Clarke County Schools in Athens.

It is not known if Mr. Dowling, assistant superintendent in Rockdale County, or Mr. Hicks, a middle school principal with the Carrollton City Schools, are considered finalists for positions in other school systems.

Philip Trimbell, human resources director for the Bulloch schools, would not immediately confirm Mr. Boza’s selection as one of three finalists.

“I prefer not to give out any information right now over the phone,” Mr. Trimbell said Friday.

According to state law, school boards must wait 14 calendar days before voting to hire a finalist.

The Bulloch board, which could legally offer the job as soon as Thursday, is scheduled to meet June 14, according to the Athens newspaper.

Hart’s board meets at 6 p.m. June 11, two weeks after choosing their finalists.

Derek Cobb, board chairman in Hart, could not immediately be reached for comment.

After Monday’s selection in Hartwell, board member Ronny Weaver said the Georgia School Board’s Association had assisted in the screening and performing background checks for Hart’s applicants.

Hart’s choice would be expected to accept the job and be in Hartwell for an “information exchange” with Mrs. Clark before her retirement on June 30, Mr. Weaver said.

Don Rooks, the school board association’s director of superintendent searches, said the dilemma facing Hart and Bulloch counties is “not unusual” and could create a difficult decision if one finalist is the preferred choice by both school boards.

“Then obviously he would have a decision to make or risk losing a tangible offer by waiting for a decision by the other board,” Mr. Rooks said.