Jeanne Whynot-Vickers, Portland's interim school superintendent, said today that she has changed her mind and may apply for a permanent shot at the job.

The Portland School Committee announced plans Tuesday to appoint a 20-member interview panel in September and advertise the position nationally in October.

The committee appointed Whynot-Vickers, an assistant superintendent, to the interim position last summer after former superintendent Mary Jo O'Connor resigned amid a budget crisis.

Until now, Whynot-Vickers had said publicly that she didn't want the job permanently.

She said Wednesday that she's been thinking about applying for the position since June because the district was able to get a handle on many of its financial problems last year.

The committee plans to hire a new superintendent by February. The person would start July 1.