The Baltimore County Board of Education has announced the appointment of Dr. William Heiser as the new superintendent, following a decade marked by instability and academic challenges within the school district. Heiser will officially take on the role starting July 1.
Dr. Heiser, who previously served as the Chief Operating Officer for Anne Arundel County Public Schools, brings a wealth of experience to the position. His background includes eight years as President of Cristo Rey Jesuit High School in Baltimore and a tenure as principal at Catonsville High School from 2013 to 2015.
Maggie Domanowski, a member of the Baltimore County Board of Education, expressed her optimism about Heiser’s leadership. “It’s just going to be different and I’m really excited,” she stated, emphasizing the board's commitment to making the right decision for students.
This leadership change comes as current Superintendent Dr. Myriam Rogers departs from her contract to spend more time with her family. Over the past ten years, the school system has seen a rapid turnover in superintendents, with Heiser becoming the fifth to take the helm during this period.
The previous superintendents faced various challenges, including Dr. Darryl Williams, whose contract was not renewed after a difficult tenure, and Dr. Verletta White, who served as interim superintendent but was not offered a full contract due to ethics violations. The former superintendent, Dr. Dallas Dance, resigned amid legal troubles.
Heiser steps into a district grappling with significant academic issues, as evidenced by a high school graduation rate that has fallen to a 15-year low of 84.3%, while the dropout rate has reached a 15-year high of 12.2%.
Concerns regarding the selection process for Heiser have been raised by community organizations, including the League of Women Voters and local NAACP chapters, who criticized the board for a perceived lack of transparency. Domanowski acknowledged these concerns but maintained that the decision was made with the best interests of students in mind.
As Heiser prepares to take on his new role, he will be expected to address the pressing academic challenges facing Baltimore County Public Schools.
Reported by HarborBeat based on WBFF (source).
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