Four finalists, two of them local and two from the East, bring a wealth of experience and talent as they vie to be Utah's next state school superintendent.

The state education office released the names of the top candidates Monday. They are: Bryan Bowles, superintendent of Davis School District; Nicholas Fischer, former superintendent of Fall River (Mass.) Public Schools; Richard LaPointe, director of International Education, Higher Education, at the U.S. Department of Education in Washington, D.C.; and Larry Shumway, deputy superintendent of the Utah State Office of Education.

The Utah State Board of Education will interview the candidates May 29. The top choice could be announced as early as the end of that day or when the board holds its regular meeting June 5.

The new superintendent will replace Patti Harrington, who announced her resignation in March, effective June 30.

Here's a brief look at the candidates:

Bryan Bowles

Bowles, of Bountiful, who is also a member of the Weber State University board of trustees, has led Davis School District since 2002.

Bowles, 56, said he wants to be state superintendent because he can positively affect the learning of more children in that position and contribute to "the future and economic well-being of the state I love."

He has been principal of Bountiful High School, an assistant principal at Millcreek Junior High School in Bountiful and a teacher at Bountiful High. He also has worked as a district administrator dealing with curriculum.

Bowles spent seven years as vice president of the Polynesian Cultural Center in Laie, Hawaii. He sees the main challenge and opportunity in Utah's schools as successfully meeting the needs of the "growing and more diverse population of children."

Bowles has a doctorate in education from the University of Utah and teaches educational leadership there as an adjunct faculty member.

He was Utah's Superintendent of the Year in 2007. He was named Principal of the Year by the Utah Association of Student Councils in 2001.

Nicholas Fischer

Fischer, 63, of Fall River, Mass., has led Fall River Public Schools since 2005. He earned a doctorate in education from Harvard University.

Previously, he has served as assistant superintendent for Fairfax County (Va.) Schools; superintendent of Christina School District in Newark, Del.; and associate commissioner for the Massachusetts Department of Education.

He also has been on the Fall River Chamber of Commerce's board of directors.