The Board of Education announced Thursday that they are resuming the search for a new superintendent after former Superintendent Joshua Starr’s resignation last February.

Partnering the with the search firm Hazard, Young, Attea and Associates (HYA), the Board plans to have the new superintendent begin on July 1.

“The Montgomery County Board of Education seeks an experienced educational leader who will elevate the national reputation of the district by continuing to steer MCPS toward excellence for all students,” HYA wrote in their release of sought-after characteristics in a superintendent.

In May, the Board publicly identified as their preferred candidate Andrew Houlihan, the chief academic officer of the Houston Independent School District. When he withdrew from the running soon after, MCPS was left with few options for the 2015-2016 school year.

Interim superintendent Larry Bowers, who was originally appointed to serve through last June, agreed to stay as superintendent through this school year after the Board was unsuccessful in finding a permanent replacement.

This year, however, the Board is confident regarding the reopening of the search.

“I’m sure we will make the July 1 deadline and have many candidates to consider,” Board President Patricia O’Neill told the Washington Post.