Mohammed Choudhury, an associate superintendent in a San Antonio, Texas school district, will become Maryland’s next State Superintendent of Schools when current leader Karen Salmon retires next month.
The Maryland State Board of Education on Thursday unanimously voted to appoint Choudhury to the top spot in Maryland’s education department after a “rigorous and multi-phased national search, closely guided by community and stakeholder input.”
The state education board screened 55 applicants and selected four finalists before choosing Choudhury.
Choudhury, currently Associate Superintendent and Chief Strategy, Talent and Innovation Officer for the San Antonio Independent School District, will begin his term in Maryland July 1. He will serve the remaining three years of Salmon’s term.
Choudhury praised Maryland’s schools, although he said the state can still improve its education system.
“For years, Maryland Public Schools have been a model for other states and there is an incredibly strong foundation to build upon to ensure that every Maryland student has the opportunity to build a great future. But being one of the top states for education doesn’t mean there aren’t gaps in the system, and it certainly doesn’t mean there isn’t room for improvement,” Choudhury said in a statement.
He added that the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, which the Maryland General Assembly passed into law in 2020 to enhance the state’s schools, will serve as a roadmap toward a better, more equitable education system in Maryland.
“With the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future as a guide for MSDE and every district in the state, the state’s leaders have shown a remarkable commitment to the hard work that’s necessary to bridge gaps and ensure every student has the tools and supports needed to be successful,” Choudhury said. “I am honored by the board’s selection and look forward to hitting the ground running as Maryland’s next State Superintendent of Schools.”
Maryland’s superintendent oversees the Maryland State Department of Education and executes the policies and regulations instituted by the Maryland State Board of Education.
The state superintendent also works with local superintendents in each of Maryland’s 24 jurisdictions to address education needs across the state. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Salmon provided guidance regarding restrictions and changes in operations for schools across Maryland.
The Baltimore Sun reported that Salmon’s annual salary was $275,000, following a $40,000 raise this school year.
An MSDE spokesperson said final details of the contract are being worked out, and the state education department will release contract details “within a few days.”
Choudhury will inherit the state school system as Maryland, like other states, continues to grapple with the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on education.
The Maryland State Board of Education in April directed all schools to return to in-person learning for a full 180-day school year this fall.
Before Choudhury arrived in San Antonio, the San Antonio Independent School District had an F rating. But Choudhury helped build it into “the fastest-improving large district in all of Texas,” MSDE officials said.
Choudhury implemented a poverty tracker to assess and address students’ needs in the district, where 90% of students are economically disadvantaged. He also helped recruit and retain master teachers to schools that had consistently underperformed.
Before working in San Antonio, Choudhury served in the Dallas Independent School District.
He started his education career as a classroom teacher in the Los Angeles Unified School District, and also was a senior leader with the Future is Now Schools Network.
Choudhury earned his bachelor’s degree at California State University in Northridge and his master’s of education at University of California, Los Angeles.
Education Week named Choudhury one of 12 “Leaders to Learn From” in 2018. San Antonio Independent School District Superintendent Pedro Martinez told Education Week at the time that Choudhury had demonstrated expertise in using U.S. Census data to more equitably serve students living in poverty.
“Everybody who has worked with Mohammed says he shows not only how smart he is, but he gains their respect,” Martinez told Education Week.
Maryland State Board of Education President Clarence Crawford said Choudhury will bring a “fresh perspective” and is equipped to lead the transformation of Maryland’s schools.
“When we set out on our search for Maryland’s next superintendent, our goal was to identify and hire the highest caliber candidate to build the future of education for all Maryland children,” Crawford said in a statement. “Considering Mr. Choudhury’s outstanding transformative accomplishments, we are completely confident that we have hired the right person, one who deeply cares about children.”
Crawford went on to say “Mr. Choudhury distinguished himself by providing a fresh perspective, and his engaging high-energy approach brings the best out of the people he serves. He is a bold pioneer in the educational community, and we are fortunate to have secured his leadership as Maryland’s chief education officer as we continue to recover from the devastating impacts of COVID-19 and seek to implement the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future. Mr. Choudhury is an empathetic and collaborative leader and hard-working person who values input and diverse perspectives.”
Salmon will retire on June 30 after five years as Maryland’s State Superintendent of Schools, and 45 total years as an educator.
Salmon had originally been scheduled to retire in 2020, but agreed to stay on for another year while the state searched for her replacement.
Crawford said Salmon’s leadership has set Maryland schools on a path towards a successful future.
“We are thankful for Dr. Salmon’s leadership, deep knowledge of Maryland’s education system and her unparalleled commitment to all Maryland children as part of her dedication to equity and excellence,” Crawford said in a statement. “As a result of her guidance, we are well-poised to deliver the future of Maryland education.”
