After three and a half hours behind closed doors, trustees at the TDSB have not yet chosen an interim director of education.

Last week, Chris Spence resigned after publicly admitting to plagiarism.

For now, deputy director Donna Quan has taken the Spence's seat until an interim director is chosen and then a permanent replacement hired. Quan was expected by many to be named interim director, but the length of tonight's meeting suggests the process is not that simple.

One of the issues being debated is whether the acting director will be able to apply as the permanent replacement.

Trustees have been asked to consider all the options and come back on Wednesday to choose an interim director.

The board will also strike a Director Search Committee to find a replacement, with the help of a recruitment firm.

TDSB chair Chris Bolton says the firm has told the board the process can be completed in time for the new school year.

"However, there has been, based on our past experience, some questions by trustees about whether that's really feasible given all the things that we need to consider in terms of parameters," Bolton says.

"We want to do this right and we'd rather take more time than do it hastily."