Baltimore County Public Schools has a new superintendent.
On June 22, the board of education selected William Heiser, chief operating officer of Anne Arundel County Public Schools, to be the next BCPS superintendent. Heiser will assume the post overseeing the 108,000-student school system effective July 1.
Heiser, who was selected following a nationwide search facilitated by executive search firm Ray and Associates, has received approval by State Superintendent of Schools Carey Wright, as required by Maryland law. His appointment is contingent upon final contract negotiations for employment.
Over the past two decades, Heiser’s career in education has included positions in the school house, as a principal, and in the central office. As COO for Anne Arundel County Public Schools, Heiser provides executive leadership for the fourth-largest school system in Maryland, which has 85,000 students and 130 schools.
According to a BCPS press release, Heiser led a “historic” redistricting process, managed a $195 million capital budget, and oversaw the delivery of major school construction projects aligned to the school system’s enrollment growth and educational priorities.
Prior to his role as COO, Heiser served as the president of Cristo Rey Jesuit High School in Baltimore City from 2015 to 2023 and as the principal of Catonsville High School in Baltimore County from 2013 to 2015. He earned the Maryland High School Principal of the Year Award in 2013.
Heiser earned his bachelor of arts and master of education degrees from Loyola University Maryland and a doctoral degree in education from Morgan State University. Heiser lives in Anne Arundel County with his wife and two sons.
Jane Lichter, chair of the Board of Education, said in a news release, “Dr. Heiser’s passion, dedication, and strong commitment to academic excellence, systems improvement, and the development of high-performing, equitable school communities set him apart, and the Board of Education is thrilled to work with him to continue to move our system forward.”
She added, “Baltimore County Public Schools has made significant strides over the past three years, and we are well poised for success. We believe his leadership and vision will serve the students, staff, and families of Team BCPS well.”
Heiser pledged to work with the board and inspire members of TEAM BCPS. “I am committed to working with all stakeholders to continue to build on the outstanding work that has been accomplished under Dr. Rogers’ leadership, and I am confident that, working together, we will take this system to the next level,” he said.
After a closed session at 6:15 p.m., the Board will meet in person on June 24 at 6:30 p.m. to formally appoint Heiser.