Hagerstown, MD (February 7, 2017) - The Washington County Board of Education (BOE) today unanimously approved Dr. Boyd Michael as the Washington County Public Schools (WCPS) Interim Superintendent effective March 14, 2017 through June 30, 2017, filling a vacancy that will be created by the resignation of Superintendent Dr. Clayton Wilcox. Immediately following that action, the BOE announced its intent to officially appoint Dr. Michael as Superintendent of WCPS effective July 1, 2017, pending approval by the Maryland State Superintendent and the negotiation of a contract.  

Dr. Michael is currently the WCPS Deputy Superintendent, a position he has held since 2008. He is in his 38th year with WCPS, beginning a teaching career in 1979 at Clear Spring High School, and later serving the school system as an assistant principal, principal, Executive Director of Secondary Education and Assistant Superintendent for School Operations. 

“I’m honored to be selected by the Board of Education to be the next academic and operations leader of Washington County Public Schools,” said Dr. Michael. “As a lifelong resident of Washington County and an educator since 1979, the students, families and staff of Washington County Public Schools have always been my professional focus and passion.”

“Dr. Michael is very knowledgeable about our school system, he has the trust of the community and he has made a long-term commitment to Washington County,” said Board of Education President Melissa Williams. “There is no learning curve, and our students, parents, employees and the community can be assured that the transition will be smooth and seamless.”

Dr. Michael was awarded his Maryland Superintendent Certification in 2001, and earned his undergraduate, graduate and doctorate degrees from the University of Maryland. 

Dr. Michael and his wife, Denise Michael, reside in Boonsboro. Both of them and their three children attended Washington County public schools. Mrs. Michael is a paraprofessional at Boonsboro Middle School, and one of Dr. Michael’s daughters is a Math Content Specialist for WCPS. Additionally, Dr. Michael’s parents were both longtime educators in WCPS, retiring from the school system after many years of service.