PLACENTIA

The Placentia--Yorba Linda school board hired a firm on Friday to search for a superintendent to replace James O. Fleming, who will retire at the end of the school year.

Leadership Associates was hired after the board considered its offer among two others. The company will charge the district $19,950 to create a profile of the new superintendent desired, search for candidates and screen them before making a final recommendation to the board. The other bidders for the job were the California School Board Assn., which bid $20,000 for the job; and Giles & Associates, which asked for $13,500.