The St. Paul School Board will have 41 candidates to choose from when it fills a vacancy later this month. Noon Monday was the deadline to apply.

WHAT: The position opened up when Vallay Varro, who was elected in 2009, resigned to go to work for a nonprofit organization. The person who is chosen will be on the seven-member board until January 2012.

WHO: The job is open to anyone who lives in the St. Paul school district.

SIGNIFICANCE: The board oversees the second largest district in the state with 38,000 students at 64 schools. There are more than 5,800 employees. In the next year, the board is expected to deal with looming budget cuts, a dwindling student population and a gaping achievement gap. The board will also be approving its 2014 vision plan in the coming months.

NOTABLE APPLICANTS: Included in the list of 41 candidates is former St. Paul Police Chief William Finney, former long-time school board member Al Oertwig, and Jeremiah Ellis, who was the special assistant to Maria Carstarphen, the previous St. Paul superintendent. Of the 41 candidates, 16 are women.

MINORITIES WANTED: In advertising the position, board Chair Elona Street-Stewart encouraged minorities to apply. "St. Paul Public Schools is one of the most diverse school districts in the nation and it's important that the board reflects not only the racial and ethnic makeup of families but also the wide variety of students' abilities from gifted and talented to special needs," she said.

NEXT STEP: Applicants will be asked to participate in a public interview. Each board member can then nominate one candidate. In order to get the job, however, the winning candidate must be endorsed by the majority of the total board. The new board member will be sworn in at the February meeting.

SALARY AND DUTIES: The position pays a $900 per month stipend and includes health insurance and other employee benefits. In addition to regular board meetings, members are also expected to attend workshops and represent the district at various events.

COME LISTEN: Candidates will be interviewed at the district headquarters, 360 Colborne St., St. Paul, beginning at 5:30 p.m. on Jan. 12.

DAAREL BURNETTE II