Two of the four finalists for Springfield's next superintendent started the interview process on Sunday.

The Finance Control Board and the School Committee grilled two of the four finalists for superintendent at City Hall.

From tackling Springfield's high drop out rate to turning around falling test scores the candidates are ready to improve Springfield's schools.

Matthew Malone and Basan Nembirkow spent a grueling 3 hours meeting and interviewing with the Finance Control Board and Springfield's School Committee.

The 39-member advisory panel asked some tough questions, but the candidates for superintendent say they are ready for a tough job: turning around Springfield's schools.

Matthew Malone is from Boston and is currently the Superintendent of the Swampscott public schools. He says he's ready to bring his experience to the western part of the state.

Next is Basan Nembrikow of Deerfield, and the current superintendent of the Brockton public schools. He also was the former superintendent in Chicopee and Greenfield. He says the first thing he wants to do is turn around Springfield's high drop out rate and low test scores by getting to the root of the problem.

Both men will be back at City Hall Monday morning for their next round of the interview process.

Round two of interviews start on Monday night. Next up is Alan Ingram of Oklahoma and Joseph Redden of Georgia. The panel hopes to make a final decision by Tuesday afternoon.