Patricia Lopez was a finalist to lead TUSD.

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The deputy superintendent of Tucson's largest school district has submitted her resignation and is a contender to become the next superintendent of the Marana Unified School District.

Patricia Lopez is one of two finalists for the Marana position, district spokeswoman Tamara Crawley confirmed.

The Marana Governing Board intends to announce its choice of leader for the 13,000-student district on June 12, she said. Pay for the position starts at $120,000, Crawley said.

Doug Wilson, assistant superintendent of human resources for Pueblo City Schools in Pueblo, Colo., is the other candidate.

Lopez began working for the Tucson Unified School District more than 30 years ago as a classroom teacher and rose through the ranks to become the second-in-command.

She made a bid to become the next superintendent, and was one of four finalists, but the TUSD Governing Board instead selected Elizabeth Celania-Fagen, who begins in July.

This year, Lopez earned $94,026 plus benefits and a total of $12,000 in stipends, said Chyrl Hill Lander, a TUSD spokeswoman.

Her bid to lead Marana won't be the first time she has worked outside TUSD. Lopez joined the Amphitheater Public Schools district as director of state and federal programs in 2003-04.

The one-year stint with the smaller school district was a result of an administrative reorganization by former TUSD Superintendent Stan Paz.

In May 2004, Lopez was brought back by Roger Pfeuffer after he was appointed interim superintendent.

"It's been a great experience," Lopez said, referring to her career with TUSD. "But it's a good time to move on. I want the best for Liz and the district."

With slightly more than 57,000 students and more than 100 schools, TUSD is significantly larger than Marana Unified, which has 17 schools.

Lopez's last day will be June 30.