On September 17, 2025, the Board of Education of Charles County will hold public interviews to fill a vacancy in Commissioner District 4, a critical step in selecting a new representative to serve the region’s 28,162 students. The interviews, set to take place in the boardroom of the Jesse L. Starkey Administration Building at 5980 Radio Station Road in La Plata, will feature three candidates: Theresa Everette at 2 p.m., Denise Joseph at 3 p.m., and Bridgette Patterson at 4 p.m. Southern Maryland residents can watch the process unfold live on the Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) website at www.ccboe.com, with recordings later available on the CCPS YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@ccpsmd.
The vacancy stems from the resignation of a former board member representing District 4, a region encompassing parts of Waldorf and surrounding areas in Charles County. The selected candidate will serve out the term through December 2026, with the next general election for the board scheduled for November 2026. State law mandates a rigorous process for filling such vacancies, requiring the board to conduct public interviews and publish candidate names, dates, and times at least two weeks in advance, ensuring transparency for the community.
Candidates must meet strict eligibility criteria outlined in Maryland’s Education Article. They must be at least 21 years old, have been a resident and registered voter in Charles County for at least three years, and preferably have resided in Commissioner District 4 for the same duration. Additionally, the selected candidate cannot be employed by or under the direction of the Board of Education or Superintendent Maria V. Navarro, Ed.D., ensuring independence in decision-making. Applicants also underwent verification of their residency and voter status and were required to pass a Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) background check, a standard procedure for CCPS employees and board members.
The interview process follows a structured timeline. The board began seeking applicants on August 13, 2025, with an initial application deadline of August 27, later extended to September 2 to encourage broader participation. Candidates submitted an online application, a one-page cover letter, a resume, and a notarized Financial Disclosure Statement, delivered to Joy Weaver, executive assistant to the board, at the Starkey Building. A virtual information session on August 14, hosted by Board Chairperson Yonelle Moore Lee, Esq., and Vice Chairperson Nicole M. Kreamer, provided insights into the role’s responsibilities, which include monthly meetings, work sessions, and community engagement.
Serving on the Charles County Board of Education is no small commitment. Members meet monthly on the second Tuesday (except July) at noon, often extending past 7 p.m., and attend work sessions on the fourth Monday starting as early as 4 p.m. They also represent the board at school events, community activities, and meetings with local and state officials. This role is pivotal in shaping educational and fiscal policies for a district with 39 schools, a $529.5 million operating budget, and a mission to deliver a “technologically advanced, progressive, and high-quality education” that prepares students for life and careers.
The interviews offer the public a window into the candidates’ visions for District 4, which includes neighborhoods like St. Charles and Bennsville. With Charles County’s population of roughly 170,000 and its status as one of Maryland’s fastest-growing counties, the board’s decisions impact a diverse and expanding community. The transparency of livestreaming and recording the interviews reflects the board’s commitment to openness, a practice mirrored in past vacancy processes, such as the District 1 interviews held on October 20, 2024, which were also made available online.
As the board evaluates Everette, Joseph, and Patterson, Southern Maryland residents are encouraged to tune in and learn about the candidates who will help steer the future of Charles County Public Schools. The selected member will join a seven-member elected board, alongside a student representative, in guiding a district known for its STEM-focused curriculum and Career and Technical Education programs, such as those at North Point High School. This appointment will shape the educational landscape for thousands of students until the term’s end.
