The Montgomery County Board of Education unanimously appointed Joshua Starr as the next superintendent April 25. The decision marks the end of an extensive search process that included input from students, staff and parents.

Starr will take office July 1, after receiving written approval from state superintendent Nancy Grasmick. He is currently serving his sixth year as superintendent of Stamford, Conn. schools.

Despite differences in the size of school districts–Stamford’s 15, 490 students vs. Montgomery’s 144,064 students–BOE members are confident that Starr will work well with county and school administrations.

“I think it will boil down to good judgement, vision and sound educational practices that transcend the size of a school system,” BOE member Michael Durso said.

But Starr has also worked with larger school systems in the past. Before serving as Stamford schools superintendent, he was the director of school performance and accountability for New York City public schools, the largest school system in the nation.

After graduating from Harvard University with a master’s degree and doctorate in education administration, planning and social policy, Starr began his career as a special education teacher in Brooklyn, N.Y.

BOE members are optimistic about Starr’s abilities to continue the success of county schools in the future.

“The Board looks forward with great excitement to working with Starr in buildling upon the impressive successes that MCPS has garnered over the past twelve years under the leadership of Jerry Weast,” BOE president Christopher Barclay wrote in a press release.

Weast, who announced his retirement last August, will step down this year after 12 years.