GRAY – SAD 15 Superintendent Michael Wood said he will tender his resignation to the school board on July 9.

Wood was named finalist for a similar slot by the Nashoba Regional School Committee in central Massachusetts earlier this month. Negotiations concerning his new duties are being held this week, he said by telephone.

School board Chairman Dan Maguire of Gray said Thursday that Wood’s current contract requires a 60-day notice of resignation.

“We are communicating that requirement to his next employer, but that is negotiable,” Maguire said.

Last week the board had that discussion with Wood in executive session under personnel.

Maguire said the board favors hiring an interim superintendent for one year.

“We want the freedom to take as much time to hire the right replacement,” he said.

The board is yet to determine if it will contract the search or do it in-house.

The SAD 15 Personnel Committee is meeting to put together a proposal that includes the cost of a search either way.

Wood, who lives in Gorham, completed four years with the district this year. He was formerly the superintendent, principal and special education director for the Pownal School Department.