The Lancaster School Board is expected to officially name its three finalists for superintendent tonight.

They are:

• Pedro Rivera, an educator and administrator from the School District of Philadelphia.

• Drue Miles, the assistant superintendent in the Lancaster School District.

• Buddy Glover, a retired Lancaster School District assistant superintendent.

The school board meets at 7 in the Recital Hall at McCaskey High School, 445 N. Reservoir St.

But come early to get a seat. The meeting is likely to draw a large crowd, school officials said.

The school board could also tonight announce one or more community forum, where residents can meet each superintendent candidate.

As of this morning, the district was still hammering out the details, including the number of forums, dates and locations, district spokeswoman Kelly Burkholder said.

In other business, the school board will vote on a request for a new charter school, the Lancaster Science Academy. And it will a hear a presentation by La Academia, a city charter school that is seeking to renew its charter.

Board President Patrick Snyder declined to make any statement regarding the superintendent search.

"I don't think it's appropriate for me to comment at this time," Snyder said.

The school board hopes the new superintendent will be in place by July, and sooner if possible, Snyder said.

Stephen Iovino has been the district's acting superintendent since Rita Bishop resigned last summer to become the superintendent of the Roanoke, Va., school system.

A week ago, Miles and Glover were reported to be two of three candidates for the superintendent post, but this is the first time Rivera's name has been confirmed as the third candidate.

Here is some background on the three candidates:

• Rivera is the executive director of human resources with The School District of Philadelphia.

He was a school principal in the Philadelphia district from August 2001 to July 2006, according to an online biography.

Rivera could not be reached at his office this morning in the Philadelphia School District.

Rivera earned his superintendent letter of eligibility from Arcadia University, his master's degree in education administration from Cheyney University of Pennsylvania, and his bachelor's degree in education from Penn State University.

He was the president of the Philadelphia Association of Hispanic School Administrators.

• Miles has been with the School District of Lancaster for about 20 years. He is now the assistant superintendent for student services.

Miles was previously the assistant superintendent for operations and a principal at Buehrle Alternative School, and Wickersham and Fulton elementary schools.

He also served as the district's director of alternative education and as acting principal of Wheatland Middle School.

Miles got his start teaching at the elementary and middle-school levels.

He has a bachelor's degree in elementary education from York College, a master's degree in special education from Millersville University, and a second master's degree in administration from Southern Connecticut State University.

He's a candidate for a doctorate at Widener University. He also has a superintendent letter of eligibility from the state.

• Glover graduated from McCaskey High School in 1967.

In 1974, he became the head teacher for the Adolescent Learning Center. In 1978, he became the administrative assistant principal at McCaskey High School.

Nine years later, he was appointed principal of Hand Middle School. In 1990, he became the assistant to the superintendent.

Through the years, he's served in a variety of roles. At the end of the 2003-04 school year, Glover retired.

At the request of Superintendent Rita Bishop, he was brought in on a contracted basis as the McCaskey Campus Principal for a brief period in the 2004-05 school year.

Glover earned a bachelor's degree in history from Gettsyburg College; a master's degree in guidance and counseling from Millersville University, a principal certificate and superintendent letter of eligibility from the University of Pennsylvania.

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