CHARLOTTE -- Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools is down to three finalists for the superintendent job.

After a lengthy search process, CMS announced the three finalists early Monday morning as Memphis City Schools superintendent Kriner Cash, CMS Chief Academic Officer Ann Clark, and Washoe County School District (Reno, Nev.) superintendent Heath Morrison.

Having one internal candidate and two from outside the district is similar to last time CMS searched for a new superintendent.

Cash has been superintendent in Memphis since 2008. The district now boasts a graduation rate near 73 percent, a record high. Clark started with CMS 29 years ago as a teacher and has worked as an elementary, middle and high school principal. Morrison was named the Nevada superintendent of the year in 2011.

CMS board chair Ericka Ellis-Stewart says all of the finalists are qualified for the job.

"They're all high flyers in the world of education. Each has shown they can boost student achievement, they can come in a create a climate where teachers can trust, the administration can trust and the community can really gather and rally around public education," she said.

The finalists will be touring schools and meeting with staff and principals during a visit Wednesday and Thursday. In addition, the finalists will be interviewed by school board members and participate in a panel discussion with a select group of community members

Members of the school board have said they want everyone in the community to take part in this important decision and are taking questions via Facebook and Twitter. The deadline to submit questions is noon Tuesday.

CMS leaders plan to announce the new superintendent in early May.

Here's a schedule of the public hearings on Wednesday, April 11:

All three candidates will hold forums at 1 to 2:15 p.m., 2:45 to 4 p.m. and 4:30 to 5:45 p.m.

- St. Peter’s Episcopal Church Parrish Hall, 115 W. Seventh St.
- Government Center Chamber, 600 E. Fourth St.
- Francis Auditorium Main Library, 310 N. Tryon St.

Then, all three candidates will be available at this location from 7 to 8:30 p.m.
- Northwest School of the Arts, 1415 Beatties Ford Rd.

For more on the superintendent search, visit the CMS website.