Interim Chief Takes The Schools' Helm

Hite Seen by Some as Deasy's Double

After two years in which Superintendent John E. Deasy dominated the Prince George's County education landscape, the spotlight is now on a first-term school board and a man sometimes described as Deasy's double.

Within hours of learning last week that Deasy would leave in February to become deputy director of education for the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the board chose William R. Hite Jr., Deasy's deputy, as interim superintendent of Maryland's second-largest school system. Officials said Hite and Deasy will work jointly until Deasy's departure.

The choice showed a desire for stability in a 130,000-student system that has absorbed frequent changes in top leadership since 1999, often accompanied by political turmoil. Deasy's predecessor, Andre J. Hornsby, was convicted of wire fraud, evidence tampering and obstruction of justice in July. Hornsby's predecessor, Iris T. Metts, was embroiled in a battle with a school board that tried to fire her, only to be dissolved itself by exasperated state lawmakers.

The new board, elected in fall 2006, is composed of political newcomers. Members have said they are anxious to avoid turbulence.

The board appears to be so intent on delivering a united message that four of nine members -- Heather Iliff (District 2), Pat Fletcher (District 3), Linda Thornton Thomas (District 4) and Donna Hathaway Beck (At Large) -- did not respond to phone calls for this article. Neither did board Chairman Verjeana M. Jacobs (At Large), who spoke at a news conference last week. Amber Waller (At Large) referred comment to Jacobs.

"We are a board of the whole, and she is speaking for the board," Waller said. "We agree with what is being said."

At the news conference, Jacobs said the board and Deasy worked in tandem to raise test scores. Board member R. Owen Johnson Jr. (District 5) and board Vice Chairman Ron Watson (At Large) said much the same in interviews.

"We've worked together well," Watson said of the relationship between Deasy and the board. "We're a team. It's all a concerted effort. There's no one individual who can take credit for the whole thing."

For its interim leader, the board turned to the deputy superintendent who quietly helped shape Deasy's agenda. Hired shortly after Deasy took office in May 2006, Hite, 47, shares much of Deasy's focus on equity while perhaps being less flashy and more deliberative. His current salary is $184,286; his pay in the interim post is to be determined. Hite and Deasy both attended the elite Broad Superintendents Academy, graduating a year apart. They see eye-to-eye on education matters, so closely that board member Rosalind A. Johnson (District 1) said the two were "almost clones."

In an hour-long interview last week, Hite made light of the perception that he is Deasy's doppelganger.

"I'm not Dr. Deasy, and I don't pretend to be Dr. Deasy," Hite said. "Nor should people expect to see Dr. Deasy, or hear him, through me."

But when asked to name any differences between the two of them, Hite took a long moment to puzzle out a response.