The four current Mathews County School Board members have their work cut out for them this week: they have to choose from among six “highly exceptional” candidates the person to fill the interim vacancy created by last month’s resignation of the board’s fifth member, Jen Little.

A public hearing was held Tuesday evening in the Mathews High School media center to hear from the candidates and their supporters. County residents applying for the position included a pair of former Mathews High School employees, a former Goochland County School Board member, a retired career educator, a medical doctor, and a pastor/community leader.

“This is a highly exceptional group of candidates,” school board chairman Linda Hodges said after the roughly half-hour long public hearing. “I thank each of you for taking an interest in the position,” she added, encouraging each of the candidates to consider running for the seat when it is on the ballot this Nov...