Former Houston Schools Chief Named New PGCPS Superintendent

Millard House II, formerly Superintendent of the Houston Independent School District, will take the helm of Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS) on July 1. Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks announced his appointment Wednesday during a news conference at the Wayne K. Curry Administration Building.

House led Houston ISD for two years, ending his tenure in the nation’s eighth-largest district earlier this month. He previously served as director of schools for the Clarksville-Montgomery County School System (CMCSS) in Tennessee, chief operating officer of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools in North Carolina and deputy superintendent of Tulsa Public Schools in Oklahoma. House founded and led a college preparatory middle school in one of Tulsa’s most economically underserved neighborhoods and served as executive consultant and executive director of New Leaders for New Schools.

“It is both an honor and a pleasure to join Prince George’s County Public Schools,” says Mr. House. “I look forward to listening and learning in the days ahead in an effort to build upon a rich tradition of educating students in an equitable manner.” He will succeed Dr. Monica Goldson, who is retiring this month after a 32-year career in Prince George’s County Public Schools, including the last five as Chief Executive Officer.

“As we welcome new leadership, I am committed to ensuring a smooth transition. Serving the children of Prince George’s County Public Schools has been my life’s work,” said Dr. Goldson. “When I accepted this position, I did so with my full belief in the students who enter our classrooms each day. The success of our students and schools requires the support of everyone in our community. This success enriches our community.”

In January, Dr. Goldson announced her plans to retire at the end of the 2022-2023 school year. She began her career as a Suitland High School mathematics teacher. She steadily moved up the administrative ranks, serving as principal, associate superintendent, deputy superintendent and chief operating officer prior to her appointment as CEO.

The national search for her successor began this spring, led by Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates (HYA) and a three-member search committee. In an online survey of students, educators, staff, parents, Board of Education members, elected officials and community members, most results indicated a preference for a candidate with vast experience in K-12 instructional and administrative leadership; passion for student success; and ability to create and foster a safe and open learning environment.

County Executive Alsobrooks interviewed three candidates based on the search committee’s recommendation and selected House.

Leadership sketch: Millard House II

• Millard House II, formerly served as superintendent of the 210,000-student Houston Independent School District, the eighth-largest district in the nation and the largest in Texas.
• Previous posts: Director of Schools, Clarksville-Montgomery County School System (Tenn.); Chief Operating Officer, Charlotte-Mecklenburg (N.C.) Schools; Deputy Superintendent, Tulsa (Okla.) Public Schools
• 25+ years experience in education and the nonprofit sector, including Executive Consultant/Executive Director of New Leaders for New Schools
• Founded and led a college preparatory middle school in one of Tulsa’s most economically underserved neighborhoods. Over four years, his school became one of the highest-performing and most sought-after schools in the community.
• Produced steady academic gains across subject areas in Clarksville-Montgomery County and established a multi-pronged teacher pipeline, as part of Tennessee’s Grow Your Own initiative, that garnered state and national recognition.