Atlanta school board members acknowledged Tuesday they will need an interim leader to fill the gap between when Superintendent Beverly Hall leaves June 30 and when her replacement can officially start the job.

Who the interim will be -- and how long they will hold the job -- remains to be seen. The board met Monday night behind closed doors to receive for the first time names of top candidates vying for job, but do not expect anyone they hire to be able to start by July 1.

They agreed Tuesday that their choice for the interim job will not be eligible for the permanent post.