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Board names Dr. Shawn Joseph interim superintendent amid calls to hold him accountable
Summary
The Prince George's County Board of Education voted to appoint Dr. Shawn Joseph as interim superintendent on June 26, 2025. The one-year appointment drew public endorsements and board discussion about legal limits on superintendent hiring timelines.
The Prince George's County Board of Education voted on June 26 to appoint Dr. Shawn Joseph as interim superintendent under a one-year contract, with the motion carrying after a roll call that recorded multiple affirmative votes and two abstentions.
Board members cited the need for steady leadership and an on-site superintendent to begin work on contracts and pending district business. Carol Moses, a public speaker, urged the board to support Joseph, saying, “I support his appointment as interim superintendent and believe his leadership will serve our district well during this pivotal time.” Curtis Valentine, a former at-large board member addressing the board during public comment, asked trustees to both support and hold the new leader accountable: “Hold him accountable when he gets here.”
Why it matters: The board’s interim appointment starts a one-year period in which PGCPS will have an executive leading day-to-day operations while a separate, longer superintendent search process may proceed. Board member Felton C. Moss noted legal constraints under Maryland law around negotiating superintendent contracts after July 1 and explained there are different statutory procedures for interim appointments versus full-term superintendent hires.
Board procedure and vote: The appointment was introduced as a motion to hire Dr. Joseph on a one-year contract. The board conducted a roll-call vote during which two members recorded abstentions; the chair announced that the motion carried. The transcript records members speaking in favor of naming an interim leader immediately so district work—contracts and operational items—could proceed.
What supporters said: In addition to Moses and Valentine, several board members spoke in support on the record during the meeting, praising Joseph’s prior work improving reading and math outcomes in other districts and describing the appointment as a step toward accountability and operational continuity.
What trustees urged next: Trustees stressed the importance of holding the interim superintendent accountable and aligning any longer-term hiring steps with state law. Dr. Moss emphasized that the county executive’s eventual role and the formal multi-year superintendent search process are governed by distinct legal steps.
Where this leaves the district: With the interim appointment approved, the board and district staff will proceed with operational business that the board said required an on-site superintendent. The board’s statements and the public comments recorded at the meeting emphasize both support for the hire and expectations for oversight.
Ending: The board moved from the appointment vote to other agenda items. The appointment takes effect immediately under the one-year terms discussed at the June 26 meeting.
