After a rocky search, community leaders ready to back new Baltimore County superintendent

Baltimore County school groups are ready to embrace their new superintendent, even if some don’t like how he was chosen.

The school board on Wednesday night formally selected William “Bill” Heiser, the chief operating officer of Anne Arundel County’s school system, to lead the Baltimore County district after a lightning-speed search process that some critics said left out key voices.

Tiffany Frempong was the only board member to vote against Heiser’s appointment.

After Wednesday night’s vote, board Chair Jane Lichter told the audience that the search was comprehensive and had yielded highly qualified candidates.

“We believe he brings not only the professional qualities required for this role but also a deep commitment and a collaborative spirit needed for the critical work,” she said of Heiser, who will start July 1.

Speaking before the board, Heiser said he was deeply honored to be selected and that he’s confident he and the county schools community will tackle challenges “transparently, collaboratively and strategically.”

With his family and Anne Arundel board members Gloria Dent and Dawn Pulliam sitting behind him, Heiser said “every decision we make will end with one question and one question only, ‘What is best for students?’”

Ramona Johnson, president of the county’s League of Women Voters chapter, said she’s ready to support Heiser.

“We certainly want to build a partnership and a relationship because we think we can certainly do more together,” she said.

Her group had called for the board to stop the hiring process last week, criticism she said she stands by. The league claimed in a news release that the four finalists weren’t qualified to turn around the district’s academic performance.

The school board’s search started only in the spring after Superintendent Myriam Rogers announced her retirement in February. She had another year left on her contract.

The school board organized town hall events and sent out surveys to gather public input into a new school system leader. Four finalists fielded questions about their leadership before an audience last week.

The next day, candidates interviewed with members from school system unions, “school system-affiliated groups,” students and 15 people from the community who were randomly selected by a search firm, according to the district’s website.

A representative of Baltimore County’s NAACP branch was not among them, said Roland Patterson Jr., the branch’s interim president. He said Marietta English, who leads the chapter’s education committee and regularly attends board meetings, applied for a spot but was denied. When she appealed, she didn’t receive a response, Patterson said.

English had interviewed candidates for the last two superintendent openings, he said.

“To deny us without [an] explanation or a response to her appeal is objectionable,” he said.

The Randallstown NAACP was also denied a seat. Tekemia Dorsey, the branch president, said she was surprised neither branch was represented. Residents come to the NAACP when they have education complaints, she said, so the groups should be considered stakeholders.

Lichter did not respond to a request for comment on the NAACP’s critiques.

Heiser is Baltimore County’s fourth superintendent in nine years and its first white superintendent since 2000. NAACP leaders stressed that Heiser’s race wasn’t important to them. Their focus, they said, is on whether a new leader can improve academics and close learning gaps among student groups.

Billy Burke, the outgoing executive director of the principals union, called Heiser a “really good man.” The two worked together when Heiser was the principal of Catonsville High School from 2013-15.

“He has really strong ethics,” Burke said. “He is centered on student improvement for everyone. He’s deeply embedded in the rights of marginalized groups.”

His experience can help solve some of the financial struggles the district has had, Burke said.

Members of the Baltimore County Parent and Student Coalition were impressed with Heiser’s résumé, and PTA Council of Baltimore County President Leslie Weber said Heiser’s experience will serve him well.

Kelly Olds, head of the teachers union, said they don’t know exactly what to expect but noted that Heiser gave a strong interview.

In Anne Arundel County, Heiser drew public criticism during last year’s contentious redistricting process, which reassigned 700 kids to new schools. Parents who opposed the redistricting plan spent a six-figure sum challenging their school district in court and won a temporary delay.

Some parents, including Crofton’s Kristen Caminiti, blamed Heiser for attempting to shift their kids. She said he caused harm to numerous children and families.

“I am sad that another school system has to suffer under his leadership,” she said. “But I am hopeful that AACPS will replace him with a leader who is truly invested in making data-driven decisions in the actual best interests of children.”

Annapolis parent Jessica Pachler said she considers Heiser a fair and measured administrator who will succeed in his new role. But she wishes he had done more to address the needs of Anne Arundel County’s at-risk students.

Heiser’s old boss, Anne Arundel Superintendent Mark Bedell, however, said in a statement Monday he has no doubt Heiser will be a “superb leader” for Baltimore County.

About the Education Hub

This reporting is part of The Banner’s Education Hub, community-funded journalism that provides parents with resources they need to make decisions about how their children learn. Read more.