By LILLIAN GLAROS
Shawn Joseph, a former Prince George County Schools administrator, will serve as interim superintendent, incoming county executive Aisha Braveboy announced at a press conference on June 13.
“I firmly believe that Dr. Joseph is the right person at the right time to lead Prince George’s County Public Schools forward and to foster strong collaboration with our dedicated educators and staff,” Braveboy said.
Joseph served as deputy superintendent for teaching and learning in Prince George’s County from 2014 to 2016. He is currently an assistant professor at Howard University and co-director of the AASA/Howard University Urban Superintendents Academy. Joseph also served as the superintendent for Metro Nashville Public Schools.
Joseph said the system needs to be persistent in pursuing results, something he said he is committed to achieving.
“Prince George’s County, I believe should be and can be a place where equity and excellence are married and we see students excel,” Joseph said. “I think we’ve got all of the ingredients to be one of the fastest improving school systems in the nation.”
Prince George’s County Educators Association President Donna Christy said she is hopeful that Joseph will bring back confidence in the school system, and said that the interim superintendent seems to be a “problem solver.”
Several other political leaders expressed support for Joseph.
“I know Dr. Joseph is going to produce real results, and our students need real results,” said Prince George’s County Council Chair Edward Burroughs III, who also represents District 8.
Joseph will serve as superintendent until a permanent one is found.
This decision comes after a meeting on June 12 between current Superintendent Millard House II and the Board of Education where both parties agreed to end House’s employment, according to a Prince George’s County Public Schools statement. His last day is June 18.
The Prince George’s County Educators Association issued a vote of no confidence in the current superintendent on June 4, citing concerns over House’s leadership.
