After the first search for a new Haywood Community College president left the Board of Trustees unsatisfied, a second round of applicants were accepted in an effort to widen the pool of candidates.

As “the most important decision” the board will make for the college, Board President Bob Morris has repeatedly stressed the need for board members to take their time in choosing the next president.

“I would rather us make the right decision than a hurried decision. Everybody’s got one goal and that’s that we pick the best president for the college,” he said.

Re-advertising the position garnered 49 applications and two nominations, which the search committee has narrowed down to 9 prospective candidates. During a meeting of the governing board Tuesday, Patsy Dowling, who is heading up the search ...