And then there were three.

Natrona County School District's superintendent search committee named three finalists Friday in the search for a new superintendent.

Current superintendent Jim Lowham will retire this summer, after five years in the position.

Denise Birdwell, Joel Dvorak and Larry Parsons head into final interviews with the search committee and meet Casper's community at a public forum next week.

Birdwell is an assistant superintendent for Higley Unified School District in Gilbert, Ariz. Dvorak serves as associate superintendent of curriculum and instruction for Natrona County School District. Parsons is the superintendent of the Selah School District in Selah, Wash.

The three have 89 years combined of experience as teachers, coaches and administrators.

At 6 p.m. Wednesday, community members will have a chance to meet the finalists and ask them questions at a public forum. The forum will be held at Kelly Walsh High School's auditorium.

Birdwell earned her master's degree from Northern Arizona University and her doctorate from Arizona State University. Dvorak holds masters and doctorate degrees from the University of Wyoming. Parsons has a master's from Eastern Oregon University and a Ph.D from Gonzaga University.

Reach education reporter Jasa Santos at (307) 266-0593 or at Jasa.Santos@trib.com.