County Executive Aisha N. Braveboy has officially nominated Dr. Shawn Joseph to serve as the permanent Superintendent of Maryland’s second-largest public school system. The move comes after Dr. Joseph, who has served as Interim Superintendent since July 2025, was selected following a rigorous, state-mandated national search. His nomination now heads to the Prince George’s County Board of Education for final approval.
“This is the right leadership at the right time for Prince George’s County Public Schools,” said County Executive Braveboy. “Over the last year, Dr. Joseph has demonstrated strong leadership, sound financial stewardship, a commitment to transparency, and an unwavering focus on improving outcomes for students.”
A Community-Driven Search Process
The nomination is the culmination of a nationwide search conducted by the Superintendent Search Committee under Maryland Education Article § 4-201.1. The exhaustive process captured public input from more than 4,200 residents, including parents, students, educators, faith leaders, and labor representatives.
Three finalists participated in rigorous evaluations, panel interviews, and site visits to Bowie High School, Ellen Ochoa Middle School, and Capitol Heights Elementary School. Ultimately, community evaluation panels ranked Dr. Joseph as the strongest candidate. Panelists praised his strategic vision, collaborative approach, and deep understanding of the district’s unique opportunities and challenges.
Proven Stability and Impact
Dr. Joseph originally stepped into the interim role during a turbulent period for the district, immediately resolving a critical labor impasse with the teachers’ union within days of taking office.
Since then, his leadership has been defined by a 100-Day Entry Plan that hosted over 20 listening sessions and budget town halls, giving families a direct voice in establishing five district priorities centered on literacy, math, attendance, college readiness, and specialized student support.
Key Accomplishments Under Dr. Joseph’s Interim Tenure (2025–2026):
- Staffing & Labor: Reduced teacher vacancies by 52% (including major reductions in special education) and successfully negotiated three union contracts.
- Fiscal Responsibility: Balanced a significant structural budget deficit while protecting classroom instruction and avoiding layoffs.
- Funding Restored: A districtwide immunization compliance drive saved nearly $20 million in State funding.
- Expanded Opportunities: Brought tuition-free Dual Enrollment to all high schools via Prince George’s Community College and secured over 600 scholarships (worth $1.6 million) through a partnership with Bowie State University.
- Operations & Tech: Boosted bus driver staffing to 96% and launched a real-time bus tracking app for families, alongside new public data dashboards for student achievement transparency.
Looking Ahead: ‘Forward by Design’
If confirmed by the Board of Education and the State Superintendent, Dr. Joseph will transition from his interim capacity to permanently lead the implementation of the district’s ambitious new strategic plan, “Forward by Design: Acceleration 2029.”
“Every child in every ZIP code deserves a transformative education, and here in Prince George’s County, the work of accelerating student progress and strengthening outcomes is already well underway,” Dr. Joseph said, expressing gratitude for the nomination. “Together, we will build upon the momentum we have established.”
