The Howard County Board of Education will vote on the school system's next superintendent next week, according to a statement issued Thursday.

Current superintendent Sydney Cousin will retire at the end of June, and Deputy Superintendent for Baltimore County Public Schools Renee Foose will be voted on as his successor.

The school board announced on March 27 that it offered the job to Foose, but the group is required to vote in public to make the decision official.

"Spring break threw everything for a loop," Board of Education Chair Sandra French said of the delay between the decision to hire Foose and taking the public vote. Spring break for the Howard County Public School System was April 2 to 9.

Baltimore County, which also hired a new superintendent, took its vote April 10, reported Catonsville Patch.

"Getting seven people together and two attorneys is not easy," said French, who noted the decision to offer Foose the job was unanimous.

Before the 4 p.m. meeting where the board will take a formal vote on April 26, it's hosting a reception for Foose at 3:15 p.m. at the Department of Education in Ellicott City.

"We’re all looking forward to having her assume the reins," said French. "Dr. Cousin and she will be meeting to begin a transition. I know he wants to meet with her several times and the board will be meeting with her as well."

According to a letter from the Maryland school system's state superintendent, the contract for Foose lasts from July 1, 2012, to June 30, 2016.

Foose said in an interview with the Howard County Times that she'll focus on teacher-principal assessments and economic efficiencies in the school system upon assuming office.