Shawn Joseph, who has been serving as interim superintendent for Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS) since July 2025, will officially continue leading one of the 20 largest school systems in the U.S. with more than 130,000 students total, following a nationwide search.
“I’m pleased to welcome Dr. Joseph home to Prince George’s County, and I look forward to partnering with him and the Board of Education to chart a positive path forward,” Prince George’s County Executive Aisha Braveboy said during a press conference on June 1. “This is a pivotal moment for the school system and it’s an opportunity to reimagine what’s possible for our students and families.”
After a nationwide search led by the PGCPS Superintendent Search Committee, Braveboy said Joseph, who holds a doctoral degree in educational administration and policy studies from George Washington University, seemed like the best fit to move PGCPS further.
“One evaluator described him as an outstanding candidate who is both engaging and knowledgeable,” Braveboy said. “He listened to teachers. He listened to administrators. He listened to parents. He listened to everyone.”
Joseph, previously worked in the Nashville school system and is officially succeeding Millard House II, who resigned in June 2025 after a no-confidence vote by the Prince George’s County Education Association (PGCEA). Since serving as interim, Joseph has prioritized addressing the teacher vacancy rate and managing the budget amid shrinking local revenues.
“Positions are temporary. Purpose is enduring. Our legacy will not be measured by how long we served, but by what we changed because we served.” said Joseph. “I know the work ahead is not going to be easy. We face real fiscal, operational, and instructional challenges. We will meet them with honesty, discipline, transparency, and unity.”
Criticism About the Selection Process, Support for Joseph
While Prince George’s County leaders have spoken praises to Joseph, some residents have raised criticism regarding transparency in the superintendent search.
Before Joseph’s official announcement on June 1, Parents LEAD Coalition sent out a formal petition to PGCPS leadership in May, expressing concerns about how Prince Georgians were able to weigh in on the selection process.
“As of May 8, 2026, County Executive Braveboy already has the names of the three superintendent finalists. The selection deadline is June 1. No community forums have been scheduled. The finalist names are being kept secret. The community that was asked to shape this search is being shut out of it,” read an online petition signed by nearly 500 residents, including Board of Education member Jonathan Briggs (District 2).
The coalition argued this is a pattern of limited transparency, not an isolated incident.
“This is not the first time. This community has watched this administration operate without transparency: from the circumstances surrounding the interim superintendent appointment, to budget decisions that cut programs while protecting administrative costs, to a community confidence survey whose results were ignored,” the statement continued. “The pattern is not coincidental. It is a choice being made at the expense of our children and our schools.”
Despite concerns, others are excited about Joseph’s guidance in furthering Prince George’s County Public Schools.
“Joseph has forged a strong partnership with PGCEA built on consistent communication and shared problem-solving during his time as interim superintendent, and we’re excited to see him take over the role in a more permanent capacity,” said PGCEA President Dr. Donna Christy. “Our schools work better when educators have a say in decision making, and he has worked hard to actively connect with educators through PGCEA.”
This represents the culmination of three decades of leadership experience in education for Joseph, who currently serves as one of the co-directors of Howard University’s Urban Superintendents Academy.
“With Dr. Joseph’s seasoned leadership and the Board’s unwavering commitment, PGCPS can improve outcomes in student achievement, strengthen employee relations, and enhance the overall educational experience,” the county executive said.
