A month before students return for the academic year, only two of 18 principal slots have been filled in the District of Columbia’s beleaguered public schools system.

D.C. schools officials described a lengthy hiring process that involves reviews by panels consisting of teachers, parents and neighborhood residents at each school to sign off on candidates. And they also acknowledged the rate of hiring has been slowed by new schools Chancellor Michelle Rhee’s efforts to search widely for quality candidates.

Still, officials promised Thursday that all the vacancies will be filled by opening day in Aug. 27.

“It’s not a good situation, and there’s no good solution,” said D.C. Council Member Phil Mendelson, D-at large. “In no way do I want to make an excuse for it, but we have to live with it.”

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Mendelson blamed the glut in hiring on the timing of the takeover, not Rhee.

A month after Mayor Adrian Fenty took over the perpetually troubled public education system with promises of widespread reforms, the system is trailing at least one other local jurisdiction.

Prince George’s County officials Thursday announced that its school system had hired 28 principals of its 36 vacancies. That system has more than 130,000 public students, compared with 55,000 in the District.

Deputy Chancellor Kaya Henderson defended the delay in the city’s hiring.

When Rhee took over, “the principal process was in full swing,” Henderson said. “She stopped it for a minute and said, ‘I’m unsatisfied with the quality of the candidates across the board.’ ... If she had been here a year ago, we’d be where Prince George’s County is.”

Principals have been hired for two schools, Murch Elementary and Douglass Transition High, and decisions are pending about eight others, according to information requested by The Examiner.

Two other schools, Eaton and Ross Elementaries, will convene their hiring panels Monday. Cardozo High began its review Thursday.

cmabeus@dcexaminer.com