Four Candidates Remain In Search For Baltimore County's Next Superintendent

BALTIMORE COUNTY - The Board of Education of Baltimore County is approaching the finish line in its search for the district’s next superintendent.

In a statement released on Tuesday, the board said that it received a total of 24 applications for the position and has since narrowed down the pool to four candidates.

“We are very pleased to have such a strong slate of candidates,” Dr. Steve Joel, lead consultant for the superintendent search, said. “The candidates have a wealth of experience, and the significant interest in this position is a reflection of the positive reputation that Baltimore County has in the region and the country.”

According to the board, applications came from 15 different states and included superintendents, central office administrators, and other education leaders.

Mcpherson and Jacobson LLC, the outside consulting firm hired to aid in the process, released a 172-page report last week listing the benefits and challenges of the job and what residents want from their next superintendent.

The data was collected from a series of 25 focus group meetings and six town hall meetings in March.

The benefits listed for Baltimore County Public Schools included high-quality teachers, administrators, and staff and the variety of program and choice offerings for students.

Issues identified in the report include low student achievement rates, capacity concerns, and lack of competitiveness with area private schools.

The School Board stated that it will not release the names of the four finalists because it “remains committed to maintaining the confidentiality of candidates in order to find the best leader for BCPS.”

The board will conduct the final round of interviews during the second week in May. A selection will be made before current district Superintendent Dr. Darryl Williams’ contract ends on June 30th.

For more information on the search, see here.