The Clark County School Board of Trustees granted three current or former district employees an interview for the superintendent job, bringing the finalist pool to six candidates.

The board voted unanimously Thursday night to include three internal candidates — described as those with existing or past ties to the district — in the interview round:

• Mike Barton, chief academic officer
• Jesse Welsh, associate superintendent of curriculum and professional development
• Eva White, former interim chief financial officer

They'll be joining three external finalists previously recommended by the Iowa-based search firm: Donald Haddad, superintendent of St. Vrain Valley Schools in Longmont, Colorado; Shonda Huery Hardman, who previously worked as an administrator in several large districts; and Jesus Jara, deputy superintendent of Orange County Public Schools in Orlando.

A fourth external candidate — John Deasy, former superintendent of the Los Angeles Unified School District — withdrew his candidacy last week.

When Ray and Associates, the firm hired by the district to conduct the search, unveiled its four finalists earlier this month, the list did not include any current or former school district employees. The situation triggered frustration and concern from both trustees and community members, who argued that internal and external candidates should go head to head in the interview process to see who rises to the top.

After more than an hour of public comment, the trustees whittled down the list of 14 internal candidates to Barton, Welsh and White. Public interviews for all six candidates will take place April 27.

Board President Deanna Wright said she foresees no problem with widening the finalist pool — and doesn't think the finalists should be concerned either.

"You have to have a thick skin," she said. "If just a little bit of competition is a little too scary for you, then maybe you need to rethink."

The board meeting drew a packed house, with many attendees announcing their support for various internal candidates under consideration. But not everyone agreed with the trustees' decision to bring current or former school district employees into the mix.

Felicia Ortiz, a member of the State Board of Education, said the abrupt process change concerned her, as did intense lobbying efforts on behalf of certain internal candidates.

"There are things that have happened in the district that are ingrained culturally that we need to change," she said. "We've been doing such a good job moving our district forward that I feel like it's time for someone that's going to come and take all of that good work and expand on it."

The board expects to select a new superintendent May 2, ending months of speculation and politicking regarding the district's top position. Superintendent Pat Skorkowsky retires June 29.