By PAMELA GOULD

If the Spotsylvania School Board needs to start searching for a new superintendent, it can resume the services of its search firm without cost.

The contract with B.W.P. and Associates includes a "search success" clause that provides a "two-year search guarantee."

Superintendent Shelley K. Redinger was hired in February 2011 after a nationwide search by B.W.P. and Associates.

She started last July 1 and is now one of two finalists for the superintendent position in Spokane, Wash.

Redinger said she applied for the Spokane position after she was contacted by a search firm, and only because of serious health issues for her mother and other family members who live in Washington state.

The search success clause states "if the new superintendent resigns or is dismissed for cause within twenty-four months of commencing duties, B.W.P. and Associates will conduct a new search at no additional cost" to the school division.

The division paid $38,698.24 for the entire search process in hiring Redinger.

B.W.P.'s contract stated its services would not exceed $33,600 and the total paid was $32,323.73. The additional costs were noncontracted costs for advertising ($3,570.71), interview meetings ($1,002.00) and lodging for candidates ($1,801.80) during the interview process, according to school division spokeswoman Rene Daniels.

She did not have an answer Monday as to whether B.W.P.'s guarantee covered the entire $32,323.73 the division paid the firm or whether a portion of that was for the reimbursement of some expenses.

Redinger, 44, signed a four-year contract when she was hired and had been expected to stay long-term.

On Monday, Spotsylvania School Board members had not yet decided how they would proceed in light of Redinger's possible departure.

Board Chairwoman Linda Wieland said she would be calling board members this week to get their input.

The board is not scheduled to meet again until April 16 for a work session and then on April 23 for a regular meeting. The division is on spring break next week.

Next week, Redinger flies back to Spokane for meetings with people in the community as the next phase of the hiring process.

The Spokane Public Schools board of directors hopes to name its next superintendent soon after the finalists visit on April 11 and 12, said Spokane schools spokeswoman Terren Roloff.