The Baltimore County school board may speed up its search for a new superintendent by using a contract Montgomery County employed to hire a well known search firm, according to school board chair Lawrence Schmidt. 

Montgomery County hired a new superintendent this year using the search firm, Hazard, Young, Attea Associates. The same firm was used to hire superintendents in Frederick and Carroll counties and is involved in the search for a new state superintendent. Baltimore County used the firm 12 years ago when it hired Joe A. Hairston. 

 The county board first intended to go through the more lengthy process of soliciting bids from firms around the country, but Schmidt said the board could save time and money if it piggybacked on the Montgomery contract. Schmidt said the board needs more of its questions answered by the firm before it can decide whether to hire Hazard.