The Baltimore County School Board agreed last night to start the process for a nationwide search for a permanent school superintendent.

Board Vice-Chair Nick Stewart tells WYPR the board is in the process of hiring a firm to conduct the search. The board still could hire interim school superintendent Verletta White permanently for the job. White’s one year contract expires June 30th.

At recent school board meetings, White has received support from County Council Chairman Julian Jones and others to be hired for the job permanently. She replaced Dallas Dance, who resigned last spring. Dance has since been indicted on four counts of perjury.