MALVERN, Ark. — The Malvern School District has extended its superintendent search after the leading candidate withdrew, leaving the district to continue looking for a successor to Grant Castellano, who is departing after five years in the role.

Yolanda Ellery, chair of the hiring committee, announced the change at the district administration building and said the committee would reopen outreach to applicants rather than advance another candidate without further consideration. The initial search had lasted one month.

Castellano’s departure had set the district on a schedule to identify its next chief administrator this fall. Ellery said the committee would review its search calendar and communicate next steps to staff and families as the process resumes.