The Niles Community Schools Board of Education hired a construction management firm that will be used if a bond issue is pursued and passed.

Skillman Corp. will begin working with project architect, TMP Architecture, to fine tune potential bond project ideas and come up with cost estimates. The plan is to put the bond issue before voters on the May ballot.

Supt. Michael Lindley said the district should get a list of recommendations for possible bond projects within the next two to three weeks.

From there, the district will schedule public forums in order to gain input from the community about the proposed projects.

Lindley said Skillman Corp. and TMP Architecture would not be paid unless the bond issue is approved.

Niles must have the bond project selected by Dec. 1 in order to be ready for its Dec. 11 hearing with the state’s treasury department, which would have to sign off on the project.

Also Monday, the board continued a discussion about the search for a new superintendent to replace former Supt. Richard Weigel, who resigned in February. Lindley is serving as a full-time interim for the remainder of the 2014-15 school year.

Lindley said board members are still trying to decide whether or not they want to hire a search firm to aid in the process.

“We’ve already got good candidates through word of mouth,” Lindley said, adding that a decision on hiring a search firm could be made as soon as the board’s next meeting on Oct. 20.