ROGERS -- The search to fill the superintendent position at Benton County School of the Arts officially began Monday.

Paul Hines, superintendent, submitted his resignation May 13, effective July 1. The board retained McPherson & Jacobson for $6,500, plus expenses such as travel. They outlined an agenda of six points and set a schedule to appoint a new leader by July 1.

"We're on a real accelerated timetable and that changes the whole dynamics of what we do," said Kieth Williams, lead Arkansas consultant for the superintendent search firm McPherson & Jacobson.

Nationwide, the firm conducts 50-plus searches a year, Williams said. Arkansas has had almost a dozen searches so far this year, with two on the same tight deadline as the arts school.

"It's twice as many as we usually do in a year," Williams said.

Board members asked Williams to find a leader who understands arts integration and, preferably, one with some kind of arts background. A clear understanding of finance will also be important, they said.

The school will change its name on July 1 from Benton County School of the Arts to Arkansas Arts Academy. A marketing committee is rebranding the school. A foundation to support the school is in the works and board members asked the candidates understand not only Arkansas' funding formula, but the idea of fundraising.

Applicants will write a narrative in response to the six criteria the board set out, Williams said.

Williams told board members he will make a list of interview questions and forward it to them Tuesday morning. Once that list is finalized he will post the position. He's already begun making calls, Williams said, and the search firm will vet applicants as they submit their information.

"What are the chances we're going to find somebody?" asked Howard Alsdorf, board member.

It is the board's second superintendent search in two years. Hines resigned in February 2013 and the board opted to rehire him in May of that year. A search committee based at the school received nine applications, but disbanded after confidentiality guidelines were breached, board members said at the time.

Earlier this year the board settled an allegation of sexual harassment involving Hines. Board members have declined to comment on the situation, citing a confidentiality clause. Hines said the charge was inaccurate in internal investigation paperwork released through a freedom of information act request.

Hines' resignation letter did not list a reason for his departure. Barb Padgett, high school principal, was appointed to fill his role as interim superintendent during last week's meeting.

Because it is a charter school, board members are not bound to hire a certified superintendent and the position is listed as for a superintendent/CEO. The charter school sets one-year contracts, but the contracts are not binding. That could be an issue, Williams said.

Superintendents have typically stayed with the school for some time, Alsdorf said.

The search firm can find people with the skills the board wants, Williams said, but school boards and candidates have personality. The two need to work together, much like a marriage, he said.

"The key component is can you work with them," he said.

He will bring the board at least three candidates for mid-June interviews. Candidates who did not make the vetting process will disclosed to board members, Williams said.

The job will be posted on the firm's website and listed on the Arkansas School Board Association and Arkansas Association of Educational Administrators. The charter school's site currently lists the position as open and a link will be added to the search firm.

An employee grievance hearing, closed to the public, was scheduled to follow the board's search session.