WASHINGTON – The superintendent of Fairfax County Public Schools is in the hospital after a medical emergency on Tuesday.

Jack Dale, who is in his 60s, is said to be in stable condition, says the school board.

Dale has been superintendent since 2004, and before that led Frederick County Public Schools in Maryland.

He is scheduled to retire at the end of June and school officials say they are optimistic that he can return to work before that.

A spokesman for the school district would not comment on the nature of Dale’s medical condition, but the Washington Post is reporting he had emergency heart surgery after an aortic aneurysm.

A deputy superintendent is in charge while Dale recuperates.

The school board has already hired a replacement for Dale. Karen Garza is scheduled to take over the area’s largest school district July 1.