Dr. Steven Lockard will take over for Dr. Karen Garza as Fairfax County Schools superintendent for the interim period while the School Board searches for her replacement.

The school system announced the decision Oct. 6, just over two weeks after Garza’s announcement on Sept. 19 that she would resign.

Garza said she will take the role of president and chief executive officer of Columbus, Ohio-based Battelle for Kids, a not-for-profit education organization.

Her resignation will take effect by Dec. 19 this year, she said.

Lockard has worked as deputy superintendent for FCPS since August 2014. In that role, he’s been the supervisor of the chief academic officer, region assistant superintendents, school support executive director, hearings office and the student activities and athletic programs.

“Steve Lockard is a skilled, collaborative administrator who understands how our school district works,” FCPS School Board chair Sandy Evans said in a statement. “He is a champion for students and ensures that student achievement is at the forefront of everything we do.”

Prior to working for FCPS, Lockard was deputy superintendent of Frederick County Public Schools in Maryland. He’s also worked in education as a teacher, assistant principal, principal and director.

“We have a number of challenging issues facing us in the next few months,” Evans said, “and the board is confident that his leadership will enable us to make a seamless transition.”