William Heiser Named New Superintendent for Baltimore County Public Schools

Baltimore County Public Schools has officially appointed William "Bill" Heiser, currently the chief operating officer of Anne Arundel County Public Schools, as its new superintendent. Heiser will assume his role on July 1, following the retirement of Myriam Rogers, who served for three years of her four-year contract.

Heiser comes to Baltimore County as it faces challenges, including a history of budget cuts and a need for improved academic performance. The district, which serves approximately 108,000 students, is the third-largest school system in Maryland. In contrast, Heiser's previous district in Anne Arundel County has over 85,000 students.

During a recent town hall event, Heiser expressed his commitment to fostering engagement within the community, stating that such efforts are essential for building trust and relationships. He emphasized the need to increase the graduation rate from 84% to 90% and to improve Algebra I pass rates from 11% to 20%.

Current state data reveals that only 45% of Baltimore County students were proficient in English last year, while a mere 21% achieved proficiency in math. The Algebra I test results were particularly concerning, with only 10% of students passing, compared to the statewide average of 20%. Heiser noted that the district has a significant number of Black students taking the Algebra I test, yet the pass rate is alarmingly low at just 5.7%.

Heiser identified financial challenges as one of the major obstacles the district will face in the coming years and expressed his intention to advocate for additional resources from future county leadership.

In his previous role in Anne Arundel County, Heiser managed a capital budget of $195 million and oversaw significant infrastructure planning and redistricting, which involved the reassignment of 700 students to new schools, a process that faced criticism from parents and school board members.

Heiser's educational career began in 2003 as a school counselor and has included various leadership positions, including principal at North County High School, where he was recognized as Maryland's high school principal of the year. He also served as principal of Cristo Rey Jesuit High School in Baltimore, where he achieved a remarkable record of college acceptance for graduating seniors.

The search for a new superintendent was expedited due to Rogers' unexpected retirement announcement in February. Heiser was selected from a pool of four finalists, despite calls from local organizations, including the League of Women Voters and the NAACP, for a more transparent selection process.

Reported by HarborBeat based on thebanner.com (source).