GONZALES - The Ascension Parish School Board has reopened its search for a superintendent.

The board is looking at possibly hiring its next superintendent Aug. 9, the second day of the new school year.

The board voted Tuesday to reserve the right to stop the process of winnowing candidates at any time and hire its next superintendent on the spot, if the right one comes along.

After an earlier, three-month search for the next schools superintendent dead-ended on June 7, the board voted 7-4 to reject the three out-of-state finalists and to reopen applications.

Assistant Superintendent A. Denise Graves has been the acting superintendent since March.