Baltimore County’s Board of Education has officially brought in outside help to find its next schools chief, voting this week to hire Ray & Associates to run a national superintendent search. The move kicks off the process to replace Dr. Myriam Rogers, who plans to retire at the end of the school year. The contract will cost the district $50,000 in the current fiscal year and could reach as much as $100,000, depending on how long the hunt takes.
The board’s vote came on Tuesday, according to The Baltimore Banner, which reported that the Minnesota-based firm will identify candidates from across the country. The outlet also noted that the decision follows Superintendent Rogers’ retirement announcement earlier this year.
National firm brought in to find district’s next leader
Ray & Associates bills itself as a national educational executive search firm based in Minneapolis with decades of experience placing school leaders. According to the firm’s website, its searches start with listening sessions and gathering stakeholder input, then move into recruiting and screening candidates before presenting finalists to school boards.
Rogers’ tenure and what comes next
Rogers announced her retirement in a staff message on Feb. 26, 2026, and plans to step down effective July 1, according to Baltimore County Public Schools. Under her leadership, the district has reported rising test scores and reductions in chronic absenteeism, and BCPS has been among the state leaders in five-star schools on the Maryland Report Card in recent seasons.
How the superintendent search is expected to play out
The firm says its typical process includes public surveys, focus groups, and stakeholder meetings to build a detailed leadership profile before launching national recruitment and vetting candidates, per its website. Ray & Associates previously assisted with the county’s 2019 superintendent search, according to Baltimore County Public Schools.
What the search will cost and what the public can expect
The board approved the initial fee to get the work started this fiscal year while noting that the total bill will depend on how long the search runs, The Baltimore Banner reported. Officials have not yet shared dates for community forums or finalist interviews, but the firm’s model typically includes multiple chances for parents, staff, and community groups to weigh in on the district’s next top educator.
