When the Scotland County school board meets next week, it is expected to review the applications of those wishing to fill the unexpired term of the late James Underwood.

To date, there are four applicants — James Keith Oxendine, Stacy D. Stewart, Jamie Sutherland and Loretta R. McNeil.

If you plan to join that short list, the deadline to apply for the vacant school board seat is Monday.

The only other hard and fast rule of eligibility is that applicants must live outside the Stewartsville Township.

Several board members said they are looking for someone who shares James Underwood’s values and strong commitment to education.

School board member Darrel Gibson has laid out a pretty good sketch of what the successful candidate should look like.

Gibson said the applicant should be “committed to providing excellence in education for all children, someone who is open to working with superintendent and present board to move the community forward.”

We have added a few qualities of our own that we think are vital to all successful school board members:

— A good communicator. The county school board needs someone who can communicate his or her goals and the goals of constituents. Part of communicating, also means being a good listener.

— A consensus builder. The board member should want to work toward decisions that everyone can support and also be willing to compromise to achieve that goal.

— A team player. The successful applicant should be supportive of fellow board members and staff as well as work to promote the board’s vision and goals.

— An educator. The next school board member should be someone who can process a lot of information, but also be able to effectively share that information with the community.

To inquire about eligibility, applicants should call the Scotland County Board of Elections at 277-2595.

Anyone wishing to fill the unexpired term should submit a résumé and cover letter to Nancy Smith, administrative assistant to the board at the A.B. Gibson Education Center. She can be reached at 322 South Main Street, Laurinburg, NC 28352.

The board is expected to begin interviews in January.