Newark, MD, April 24, 2025– At a special Board meeting Thursday, the Worcester County Board of Education announced its appointment of Dr. Annette Wallace as the next Superintendent of Schools for Worcester County pending contract negotiations.
“I am deeply honored and humbled to serve alongside the exceptional educators, staff, and school bus contractors who dedicate themselves each day to the success and well-being of every child in Worcester County Public Schools. I stand on the shoulders of the incredible teachers, staff, and administrators who came before me and whose mentorship has guided me throughout my journey,” said Dr. Wallace. “Our team will stay committed to our core mission of providing every student with a high-quality education that meets the needs of the whole child. We will focus on every student reading on grade level by grade 3, a marker of continued academic success. It will be our goal for every student to gain an education beyond high school through a skilled trade program, the military, and/or college or university. We WILL accomplish this by knowing every student by name, strength, and need!”
A lifelong resident of Worcester County, and a proud graduate of Worcester County Public Schools (WCPS), Wallace is the first female in WCPS history to have ever been named to the superintendency. Currently serving as Chief Safety and Academic Officer for grades 9 – 12, she has already left a remarkable impact on the school system during her nearly 22 years with the school system. Most notably, Wallace led Pocomoke High School through a transformational journey that significantly improved academic performance and student access to advanced coursework; she helped facilitate and implement the school system’s successful transition to Apple technology; and her leadership in developing the Safe and Supportive Schools model for student discipline and safety has been sought out by other leaders statewide in this area.
In addition to her extensive experience in the school system, Wallace remains actively engaged in the betterment of the Worcester County community through her service on the following boards: United Way of the Lower Eastern Shore, Atlantic General Hospital Corporate Board, Junior Achievement, and the Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore.
“Choosing the next leader of this school system is one of the most important responsibilities of this Board,” Board of Education President Todd Ferrante said during the special meeting. “We are confident that with Dr. Wallace stepping into this role, a bright future is ahead for the students and staff of Worcester County Public Schools.”
Following Superintendent Lou Taylor’s January announcement that he would retire after 41 years of dedicated service to Worcester County Public Schools, the Board of Education contracted with the Maryland Association of Boards of Education (MABE) to lead the search for his successor. Community input was gathered to help define the qualities desired in the next superintendent, and after a careful review of applications and initial interviews, two finalists were selected. Each finalist participated in extensive interviews with various stakeholder groups earlier this week.
“We are confident that the search, conducted by MABE, was a very thorough process,” said Dr. Edward Shirley of MABE. “From initial stakeholder input to roundtable panel interviews involving close to 90 participants, every step was thoughtfully planned and executed. The board made its decision following a long and deliberate discussion.”
On July 1, 2025, Dr. Wallace will officially succeed Superintendent Taylor.