Acting Prince George's County (Md.) Schools CEO gets permanent appointment

The acting CEO of the Prince George's County (Md.) school district has been appointed to the post on a permanent basis.

The Washington Post reports that Monica Goldson becomes the second woman to lead the 132,000-student district, one of the 20 largest school systems in the United States. 

Goldson, 51, who has worked her entire 28-year educaton career in the district, has been praised by many for a collaborative style that has helped eased tensions and for a deep commitment to the county where she grew up.

“She has a 360-degree view of our system,” County Executive Angela Alsobrooks said in announcing the appointment. “She has a complete and comprehensive view and understanding of our school system.”

Alsobrooks said that Goldson had made important changes as interim CEO of the school system and was “a clear-cut choice" as the best of 20 candidates for the job.

Goldson became acting CEO in July 2018, after her predecessor, former chief executive Kevin Maxwell, stepped down amid controversies over large pay raises to aides, a lost federal grant and inflated graduation rates.

“The culture and the atmosphere of the school system have improved so much since she took over,” said Doris Reed, executive director of the Association of Supervisory and Administrative School Personnel, which represents principals and other administrators. “She has really proven herself.”

The new CEO is a product of Prince George’s County schools who started as a math teacher in the district 28 years ago. She rose through the ranks and served as an assistant principal and principal before stepping into higher administrative posts. She became a deputy superintendent in 2016.

Goldson has gotten strong reviews at several junctures of her year as interim leader. State officials praised county efforts to tighten grading and diploma procedures when she appeared before the state board of education after the system’s graduation-rates scandal.