News Release: Dr. Shawn Joseph Named Permanent Superintendent of Prince George’s County Public Schools

June 1, 2026
For Immediate Release

CONTACT:
Office of Communications
301-952-6001
communications@pgcps.org

UPPER MARLBORO, Md. — Prince George’s County Executive Aisha Braveboy has appointed Dr. Shawn Joseph as the permanent superintendent of Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS). Joseph, who has served as Interim Superintendent since July 2025, will now formally lead the state’s second-largest school system following a year marked by budget stabilization, staffing improvements and expanded student opportunities.

“This is the right leadership team at the right time to usher in a new era of excellence, and I am pleased to continue partnering with Dr. Joseph and the Board of Education to chart a positive path forward,” Braveboy said. “Over the past year, Dr. Joseph has demonstrated strong leadership, steady financial stewardship and a deep commitment to our students, staff and families. This is a pivotal moment for PGCPS, and with Dr. Joseph’s leadership and the Board’s continued partnership, we have an opportunity to strengthen student achievement, improve employee relations and enhance the educational experience across the district.”

Joseph entered the role ahead of the 2025-26 school year and launched a 100-day plan focused on academics, operations and accountability. In his first months leading the district, he launched an extensive community engagement effort that included 20 listening sessions and budget town halls, offering families, students, staff and community members a direct voice in shaping district priorities and future planning.

Working with stakeholders, Joseph introduced five district priorities centered on literacy and math achievement, student attendance, organizational development, college and career readiness, and support for special education and multilingual learners.

During his first year leading the district, PGCPS faced a $150 million structural deficit — the largest single-year budget adjustment in district history. District leaders balanced the budget without teacher layoffs while maintaining classroom instruction and daily operations.

Joseph also delivered the district’s first State of the Schools address in more than a decade, bringing together families, staff, students, educators, business leaders, elected officials and community partners to align around the district’s vision, priorities and direction for the future.

Under his leadership during the 2025-26 school year, PGCPS reported progress in several key areas:

• Teacher vacancies fell by 52%, including a significant reduction in special education vacancies from 242 positions to 80.
• PGCPS finalized three union contracts through a collaborative bargaining process, securing agreements that support educators, staff and school operations across the district.
• A districtwide immunization compliance campaign reduced noncompliance cases from about 4,000 to 44, restoring nearly $20 million in state funding.
• PGCPS launched new public dashboards allowing families and community members to track student growth, graduation trends, attendance and staffing data by school.
• The district expanded tuition-free Dual Enrollment opportunities in partnership with Prince George’s Community College and County government, to be offered across all high schools.
• A partnership with Bowie State University streamlined admissions and resulted in more than 600 scholarships totaling $1.6 million for students.
• PGCPS earned national recognition for school modernization through Blueprint Schools Phase II and reached a record 164 certified Maryland Green Schools, leading the state and nation.
• Transportation staffing improvements helped the district reach a 96% bus driver fill rate, alongside the launch of a new real-time bus tracking app for families.
• The Innovation & Performance Area was established to offer targeted support and additional resources to 24 schools identified for accelerated improvement.
• The district expanded communication and public engagement efforts through a budget education series, a new legislative tracking tool, weekly superintendent communications and regular media appearances designed to improve transparency and keep staff, families and the community informed.

"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," said Dr. Joseph. "The candidacy I offered is a continuation of our momentum. I am honored to step into this role permanently, and I look forward to working alongside our families, staff, and community partners to scale excellence across every single school in our district."

Looking ahead, Joseph will oversee the district’s new three-year strategic plan, “Forward by Design: Acceleration 2029,” focused on student achievement, workforce development, expanded access to programs, family partnerships and organizational culture.

Joseph brings more than 30 years of experience in public education as a teacher, principal, district leader and superintendent. He previously served as superintendent of Metro Nashville Public Schools in Tennessee and the Seaford School District in Delaware.

He is also an assistant professor at Howard University, co-director of the AASA/Howard University Urban Superintendents Academy and author of “The Principal’s Guide to the First 100 Days.” He holds 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, the nation’s first degree-granting HBCU.

Following County Executive Braveboy’s selection, The Board of Education is scheduled to vote on Dr. Joseph’s contract in June, with final confirmation by the Maryland State Superintendent of Schools to follow.

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