PGCPS Enters New Chapter As Board Approves Superintendent Contract, Advances Key District Priorities

FY 2027 Budget, SEIU agreement and new three-year Strategic Plan mark district's next phase.

UPPER MARLBORO, Md. — Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS) marked a key leadership milestone Wednesday as the Board of Education approved the contract for Dr. Shawn Joseph, officially confirming him as superintendent effective July 1.

The approval follows County Executive Aisha Braveboy's appointment earlier this month and formalizes Joseph's leadership of Maryland's second-largest school system as it enters the next phase of its work to accelerate student achievement and strengthen organizational performance.

"Today's signing is not a finish line. It is a public commitment to our students, our families, our educators and staff, and the community we are privileged to serve," Joseph said. "Our future will not be left to chance. We will move forward by design."

 “We are pleased to have approved and extended the Superintendent’s contract,” said Board of Education Chairman Branndon Jackson. “It has been a pleasure to work with Dr. Joseph, and this was an easy choice. I think we have the best Superintendent in the country and am excited to continue our work with him. We have a treasure here in Prince George’s County.”

The superintendent's contract was one of several actions taken during the June 25 Board meeting. The Board also approved the FY 2027 operating budget, adopted the district's new three-year strategic plan, Forward by Design: Acceleration 2029, and ratified a new three-year agreement with SEIU Local 400PG. Together, the actions establish a unified roadmap for the district's next chapter, centered on academic excellence, operational effectiveness, workforce investment and stronger partnerships with families and the community.

Joseph emphasized that the agreement reflects a broader commitment to partnership across the district workforce. “We cannot move this school system forward unless we move forward together,” he said, underscoring the importance of collaboration, shared problem-solving, and trust-building across all roles.

Together, the superintendent contract approval and SEIU agreement signal a unified direction for the district as it enters a new phase of implementation under Forward by Design, focused on accelerating student outcomes, strengthening organizational systems, and deepening engagement with families and staff.

SEIU contract signing at the June 25 Board of Education meeting

As the district enters the 2026–27 school year, the focus will shift from stabilization to implementation and acceleration across schools.

The Board also received the district’s updated three-year strategic plan, Forward by Design: Acceleration 2029, which outlines priorities centered on student achievement, safe and supportive schools, strong leadership, family engagement, and expanded opportunity for all students. The plan reflects input from community members, the Board of Education, staff, and union partners and is grounded in the belief that excellence and equity must advance together.

During presentation of the plan, Joseph described it as “a living roadmap that reflects our collective commitment to every student, every school and every community we serve,” adding that it calls for aligning resources, sharpening priorities, and holding the system accountable for outcomes that matter most.

“This revised plan reflects community input, Board input, staff input and union input,” he said. “It is a promise that we will act with purpose, listen with humility, lead with courage and build a school system worthy of the hopes our children carry into our classrooms each day.”

View the new strategic plan, Forward by Design: Acceleration 2029.

“By design, we will focus on academic excellence in every classroom and every school,” Joseph said. “Together, we will build the future of Prince George’s County Public Schools.”

View the June 25th Board of Education Meeting