NORTH KINGSTOWN — The fifth time could be the charm.

On Dec. 13, officials will interview three candidates for school superintendent –– a position held by two full-time hires and two interim managers in just two years.

On the short list: H. Steven Welford, Burrillville’s superintendent for the last two years.

Also on the list: two Massachusetts hopefuls, Sandwich Supt. Nancy Young, with 16 years of experience, and Taunton Supt. Arthur Stellar, with 21 years of experience.

The job won’t be easy, says School Committee Vice Chairman Larry Ceresi.

The district faces a $1.5-million deficit for the next school year, and the new manager will likely have to lay off employees. “There’s no light at the end of the financial tunnel,” he says.

Finding someone to manage the district’s nine schools hasn’t been easy. Past superintendents have been ridiculed on Web sites or been the subject of state and local investigations.

Supt. Priscilla Feir left this summer, after less than a year on the job. Publicly, she cited budget cuts and layoffs as the reason for her departure. A lack of money forced her and others to dismantle an “exceptional and nationally recognized School Department,” she said.

Privately, she expressed frustration with bickering School Committee members and hostile critics.

Feir replaced longtime Schools Supt. James M. Halley, who was asked to leave in May 2007 after the state Department of Education said his administration had misspent federal money.

Retired Narragansett Supt. Albert E. Honnen Jr. replaced Halley until Feir was hired. Philip Thornton, the district’s assistant superintendent for teaching and learning, is now the interim superintendent.

He didn’t apply for the job.

Officials hope to hire a new superintendent by Feb. 1. Next month’s interviews start at 9 a.m. The public is invited.

“Personally, I’m looking for someone who can work with the School Committee, the community and the staff,” says Ceresi. “They have to be able to face the challenges ahead.”

pdavis@projo.com