Richmond's deputy superintendent for instruction is a finalist in the search for someone to lead the Memphis, Tenn., public school system.

Yvonne Brandon is one of five finalists from a field of 55 applicants selected by a national search firm, the Memphis Commercial Appeal newspaper reported yesterday.

A longtime leader in Richmond public schools, Brandon worked her way up from being a middle-school assistant principal in the city to become the school system's top academic officer. She was named a deputy superintendent last year.

Brandon will be competing with Tiffany Anderson, superintendent of Montgomery County schools, as well as the superintendent of Buffalo, N.Y.'s school system and top school officials from Miami and Orange County, Fla., the Memphis newspaper reported.