Baltimore County students start school year with new leadership

Baltimore County students start school year with new leadership

Baltimore County students returned to school Monday, kicking off a new academic year filled with excitement, new leadership and proactive safety measures.

At Catonsville High School, cheerleaders, the school mascot and a steel drum band greeted students on their first day back.

"You are getting for your first day, like, really hype," said William Yingling, a senior at Catonsville High School. "You start classes just kind of dancing."

The new school year brings new classes and teachers for students, along with the usual first-day nerves.

"Of course, (there's) a little bit of first-day-of-school jitters, but it's exciting for the most part," said Imani Rogers, another senior at Catonsville.

Catonsville is starting the year with a new principal, Annie Kress, while Baltimore County Public Schools introduced its new superintendent, William Heiser, who served as Catonsville's principal in the past.

"I actually started here at Catonsville High School 12 years ago," Kress told WBAL-TV 11 News. "Dr. Heiser actually hired me as part of his leadership team, so I have been able to work underneath him and learn from his leadership style."

Heiser told WBAL-TV 11 News that he's hitting the ground running to address everything from student achievement to staffing after budget challenges.

"We are in a really great position," Heiser told WBAL-TV 11 News. "We have only 28 vacancies for teachers, which is unheard of, so that's great out of 9,000 teachers."

Despite budget challenges, BCPS was able to maintain class sizes for elementary school students, though there will be slight increases at the middle and high school levels.

Video below: Superintendent speaks LIVE on WBAL-TV 11 News Today

Heiser said safety is a priority, including how the district transports students to and from school. BCPS school buses will take alternate routes to avoid the Warren Road Bridge after WBAL-TV 11 News Investigates highlighted safety concerns.

"It's just a few routes, not many students impacted, but it's just proactive to make sure that we can get to school in case it was closed at any point in the future," Heiser told WBAL-TV 11 News.

Heiser emphasized the importance of clear communication with families and students on all safety matters.

"It starts with communication, making sure that parents and family know exactly what's happening at the school. Same with the students, (we're) making sure we have the highest expectation for our students," Heiser told WBAL-TV 11 News.