MARS — The Mars School Board today night plans to accept the resignation of Superintendent Jim Budzilek, according to board President Dayle Ferguson this morning.

The board also will begin the search for an interim superintendent.

Budzilek has been at the district for about a year and a half.

Ferguson added that the board will likely hire a consulting firm to help with the search for a new superintendent.

“The purpose of the meeting tonight is to accept his resignation publicly,” Ferguson said this morning. “We will consider appointing an acting superintendent at that time.”

Director of communications Josh Schwoebel confirmed this morning that the school board will meet at 5:30 p.m. to talk about the resignation.

“They have to formally approve it,” he said.

Hired in May 2013, Budzilek replaced longtime Superintendent William Pettigrew who served for nearly 30 years.

Budzilek had been the superintendent for the Leechburg School District before coming to Mars.