The easiest way to get rid of that Google Search bar forever, is to install a launcher, here is a launcher well worth looking at
Ligthning Launcher.The nice thing about this one in particular is there is no required donate to update option, I use
Apex and have used
Nova. Keep in mind if you are captured by the Circles clock/weather widget these launchers will not work with them. But, what these launchers do provide is full customization that is simply not an option on the stock launcher, in some cases not only can you remove the Google Search bar, but you could add the ICS version or JB if you wanted to. I always avoid disabling anything that is Google related, with Android programs feed off of each other, and if something is trying to feed off of a program that doesn't exist becuase it is blocked, then you start to notice a longer lag time, which leads to increased battery drainage and other problems.
I tend to look at our phones from this perspective, that we not only own them, but want to customize them the way we want. Sure there are more advanced ways to customize, but if you want to keep things simple, a Launcher is a great start, then you can add themes, icons, clocks, weather, calendars, the options are endless. Removing the Google Search bar, is as easy clicking on one of the links and installing it, try the launcher before you make it permanent or replace the stock homescreen.