PGCPS CEO Search Update
Dear Prince Georgians:
As you know, the County is currently searching for the next Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS) system. We are required to follow the process mandated by State law, which guides how we are able to conduct this search. We have been working diligently over the last few months to ensure that we are conducting the search in accordance with State law while allowing the community to have their voices heard in this process.
Last month, we announced the selection of Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates (HYA) as the search firm to assist in the search. In accordance with State law, a three-member search committee has been formed. The committee includes two Prince George’s County residents, who were appointed by the Governor, and one member of the State Board of Education, who was appointed by the State Superintendent. Our CEO search committee members are Brigadier General Warner Sumpter, Oretha Bridgewater-Simms, and Candace Hollingsworth, and we are excited to have all of them and our search firm on board for this process.
Our search firm has already been hard at work in the search for the next CEO, conducting focus groups, interviews, and surveys to engage key stakeholders and gather feedback. The online survey, which received responses from more than 5,400 community members and stakeholders, provided us the opportunity to get feedback from PGPCS students, teachers and other staff, parents, Board of Education members, elected officials, and community members.
The majority of the survey responses came from PGCPS staff, followed by students, then parents. The survey results indicate that our residents and stakeholders believe that the ideal CEO candidate is courageous, innovative, a collaborative leader, and an outstanding communicator who is transparent and exhibits integrity, empathy, and determination. The candidate should possess vast experience in kindergarten through twelfth grade instructional and administrative leadership and have a passion for student success in all areas of growth and development. Our next CEO should be one who has the ability to create and foster a safe and open learning environment for our youth.
We recognize the importance of continuing to hear from our residents throughout this process, which is why we are hosting a Public Engagement Forum on Wednesday, April 26, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Charles H. Flowers High School in Springdale, where we will be joined by both members of the search firm and members of the search committee. This public engagement forum is yet another opportunity for residents to have their voices heard and provide feedback directly to those involved in the search and decision-making process for the next CEO.
Residents interested in testifying at the forum must register online by 5:00 PM on Tuesday, April 25. Testimony will be limited to 3 minutes per person. Written testimony is also being accepted and can be submitted via email to CountyExecutive@co.pg.md.us by 5:00 PM on Friday, April 28. Residents can register to testify online here.
Following the forum, the CEO search process will continue in accordance with State law. The CEO search committee will conduct interviews with eligible candidates and recommend three of those candidates to me for consideration. I will then interview those three candidates and select a new CEO. Our goal is to select and appoint a new CEO by June 30, 2023.
Our efforts to ensure that our youth receive a quality education that will prepare them for a meaningful future will continue to be a top priority. We look forward to working with our search firm, search committee, and our community at large as we continue this search process for the next CEO of our school system.
Yours in service,
Angela Alsobrooks
Prince George’s County Executive
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