The interview process for a new school superintendent serving the eight communities in SAD 63, the Airline CSD 8, and Dedham, is expected to begin in early September with a final selection by the end of the month, the head of the search committee said Monday.

The new superintendent will replace Sandy Ervin, who became Bangor’s assistant superintendent July 2. The superintendent in the three districts will be responsible for five schools in the communities of Dedham; Clifton, Eddington and Holden (SAD 63); Amherst, Aurora, Great Pond, and Osborn (Airline).

“We’re taking our time with it; it’s a long process,” said the tri-district search committee chairman Lionel Alley.

Alley, who is the chairman of the SAD 63 board of directors, said the review process is continuing and that interviews will start around Sept. 1.

Already there have been more than 35 applications for the position which has been advertised in the Bangor Daily News, the Boston Globe, and the Maine Sunday Telegram. With the search still open until at least Sept. 1, more applications are expected.

Applicants so far have included current and former superintendents, assistant superintendents and principals. They come from across the state and from Massachusetts, Connecticut, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Virginia.

While no salary has been posted, Alley estimated that it would be in the $50,000 range.

Since the districts won’t have a superintendent by the time school starts later this month, Ervin has agreed to act as the district’s administrator, in addition to his duties in Bangor.

His responsibility to these districts will include preparing financial statements, signing the payroll, and supervising the district’s administrators. Alley said the district’s administrators will have more responsibility during the transition period.

The search committee consists of six board members from SAD 63 and the committee chairmen from the other districts. This search committee will select a handful of finalists which will be brought before a joint meeting of all the boards for a final selection.

Staff members from all three districts have also been involved in the search process. Staff members from these districts have met with the search committee and discussed the necessary qualities for the position, Alley said.