OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The Omaha Public Schools board has given itself a March deadline to hire a new superintendent.

The board voted on Monday to approve a request for a proposal that will guide search firms in submitting their bids. Bids are to be submitted by Nov. 2.

The request for a proposal includes a tentative timeline for the search and the desired qualifications in a search firm.

Superintendent Mark Evans is retiring at the end of this school year. He was hired in 2013.

The board hopes to hire someone in March so the incoming superintendent can work with Evans on a transition plan before he steps down.