Interim Superintendent Tapped By Prince George's County Executive-Elect Aisha Braveboy

PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, MD — An interim school superintendent has been named by Prince George’s County Executive-elect Aisha Braveboy, less than 24 hours after Millard House II resigned during the Thursday school board meeting.

Dr. Shawn Joseph, the co-director of AASA-Howard University Urban Superintendents Academy, will serve as the Prince George's County Public Schools superintendent while the county starts its search for a full-time replacement. Joseph previously served as the PGCPS deputy superintendent from 2014 to 2016. He also served as superintendent of Delaware's Seaford School District and Tennessee's Metro Nashville Public Schools. Before that, he taught in Montgomery County Public Schools and became an assistant principal, principal and district administrator within that district.

He has a doctoral degree in educational administration and policy studies from George Washington University, a master’s degree in reading education from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree in English education from Lincoln University.

"Big changes are underway in Prince George’s County Public Schools and we’re stepping into this moment with clarity, care, and purpose. Today, I announced Dr. Shawn Joseph as our interim superintendent. With his experience, leadership and deep ties to education and our community, I believe he’s the right person to help us move forward," Braveboy stated. "As I said earlier: 'Moving swiftly and decisively now is critical to ensuring forward momentum in our public schools.' This isn’t just about transition, it’s about restoring trust, elevating student success and working collaboratively for real impact. We’re putting students, families, and educators first. Let’s get to work."

At its June 12 meeting, the Prince George's County Board of Education and PGCPS Superintendent Millard House II met and mutually agreed to separate their employment relationship effective June 18. House's contract was to run through 2027.

"The superintendent has provided bold ideas and actions that have set the system on a path for continued improvement. The time spent at PGCPS benefited the overall system and allowed for the superintendent to place another solid brick in the wall of ever continuing educational success for the students and teachers of Prince George's County," the education board stated Friday.

In their statement, PGCPS board highlighted House's achievements during his time with the district, such as increasing the graduation rate to now over 80%.

The Prince George’s County Educators’ Association had expressed concerns about the superintendent's ability to move the district forward. Last week, Prince George’s County educators cast no-confidence votes in the superintendent at an emergency virtual meeting held Wednesday night, Patch reported previously.

However, the union representing county administrators pushed back after the association announced their vote, saying they were "blindsided."

“We’re not saying that Mr. House is perfect,” Jeffrey Parker of the Association of Supervisory and Administrative School Personnel told NBC Washington. “Obviously, there are concerns that we have as well, but nothing that would reach the level of dismissal or removal from the job.”

At a May school board meeting, Prince George's County educators held a protest outside the building to highlight their concerns about what they see as staffing shortages, burned out employees and overcrowded classrooms.

“We want to thank former Superintendent House and the Prince George’s County School Board for putting the needs of the district’s students and their families first. We would also like to thank Mr. House for his service as superintendent," the educators' association stated. "We look forward to continuing our work together with the School Board and a new administration to ensure that every student receives a first-rate education and every educator has the tools they need to succeed.”

The president of the union, Donna Christy, spoke with FOX 5 after the no confidence vote last week.

"We are desperate for strong leadership, our school system is not in a healthy place, too many vacancies, payroll is often missed, people don’t get paychecks randomly — Our staff feels disrespected, does not have faith that anything’s gonna change," Christy said.

Related:

PGCPS Superintendent Resigns During School Board Meeting