The Baltimore County (Maryland) district has chosen William “Bill” Heiser, the chief operating officer of Anne Arundel County Public Schools, as its new superintendent.

The Baltimore Banner reports that the hiring announcement comes less than two weeks before Heiser starts the job. He’ll take over July 1 following Myriam Rogers’ retirement

Anne Arundel has more than 85,000 students; its northern neighbor, Baltimore County, the third-largest district in Maryland, has 108,000 students. 

Heiser says Baltimore County’s financial struggles are the biggest challenge the district will face for the next several years. As Anne Arundel’s chief operating officer, Heiser oversaw the district’s $195 million capital budget and infrastructure planning.

Heiser has worked in education since 2003, starting as a school counselor at Eleanor Roosevelt High School in Prince George’s County.