The Board of Education of Charles County elected Nicole M. Kreamer as chairperson and Samichie K. Thomas as vice chairperson during its meeting on January 13, 2026, in La Plata, Maryland. The annual election, held each January, selects leaders for one-year terms to guide the board’s oversight of Charles County Public Schools, which serves more than 27,000 students across 38 schools in Southern Maryland.
Kreamer, who previously held the vice chairperson role for two years, secured the position with six votes after a nomination alongside board member Dottery Butler-Washington. Thomas faced no other nominees for vice chairperson. The process ensures continuity in addressing educational priorities such as student achievement, budget management and community engagement in a region where public education supports economic and social development.
Kreamer expressed that her prior leadership experience deepened her understanding of the board’s duties and the community’s expectations. “My commitment has always been rooted in service,” Kreamer said. “Service to this Board, to our educators and staff, and most importantly to the students and families of Charles County.” She pledged to promote respectful discussions and prioritize student outcomes alongside financial accountability as chair. Kreamer brings extensive professional expertise to the role, working as a senior healthcare administrator and having served part-time as a substitute teacher in Charles County Public Schools before her 2022 election to the board. She holds dual master’s degrees in healthcare administration and business administration from the University of Maryland Global Campus. Her community involvement includes leadership in the Charles County NAACP branch, mentoring through Stella’s Girls Inc. and her alma mater, and serving on the American Association of Healthcare Administrative Management board since 2020.
Kreamer founded The Royal Treatment initiative, which supplies free formal attire for students attending proms and events in Charles County and beyond. At the state level, she contributes to the Maryland Association of Boards of Education’s legislative and equity committees and chairs the community engagement subcommittee. Appointed by Gov. Wes Moore to the Council for the Advancement of School-Based Health Centers, she combines her interests in health and education. A resident with three children, including two graduates and one current student in the system, Kreamer represents District 3 on the seven-member board, which governs policies for a district focused on implementing Maryland’s Blueprint for Maryland’s Future education reform plan.
Thomas sought the vice chairperson position to expand her contributions to the board. “[I am] committed to student learning and academic results, as well as supporting the academic professionals across our county,” she said. Appointed in October 2023 to fill a District 1 vacancy, Thomas has a background in human resources management, earning a master’s degree in the field and a bachelor’s in social work with an education minor, both from Bowie State University. Her career includes public sector roles with federal agencies and her current position as a consulting director for human resources information systems at a private software firm, where she aids business development.
On the board, Thomas chairs the strategic planning committee and serves on the finance committee. She participates in the Charles County Chamber of Commerce’s business and education committee, aligning with career readiness goals under the Blueprint plan. A county resident for over 20 years and parent of four students in the system since 2006, Thomas emphasizes workforce support and academic excellence in a district that operates on a budget exceeding $400 million annually, funded primarily by county and state sources to address needs in Southern Maryland’s growing communities.
The board’s leadership transition occurs amid ongoing efforts to enhance educational equity and infrastructure in Charles County, part of Southern Maryland’s tri-county area known for its mix of rural and suburban settings. The elected leaders will oversee initiatives like expanding school-based health centers and career technical education programs, which align with state mandates to prepare students for local industries such as defense, agriculture and healthcare.
Previous board actions, including budget approvals and policy updates, have focused on reducing class sizes and improving teacher retention in a system where over 60% of students qualify for free or reduced-price meals, reflecting socioeconomic challenges in the region. Kreamer and Thomas join other members in monthly meetings to vote on matters affecting the district’s 3,000 employees and facilities, ensuring compliance with federal and state regulations while responding to community input from towns like Waldorf and Indian Head.
This election follows a pattern of annual rotations, with prior chairs including Yonelle Moore Lee, who recently transitioned to a state legislative role. The board’s work remains vital to Southern Maryland’s educational landscape, where Charles County Public Schools rank among the state’s top performers in graduation rates, exceeding 90% in recent years. Future agendas may include addressing enrollment growth driven by population increases in the county, which has seen a 10% rise since 2020 according to census data.
