The Maryland State Board of Education announced today that Bernard Sadusky has been selected to serve  as the Interim State Superintendent beginning July 1 upon Dr. Nancy Grasmick’s retirement from the position.  Sadusky previously served the School Superintendent for Queen Anne’s County from 1994 to 2007 when he then joined the State Department of Education as policy liaison with local school systems.

 “Thanks to the dedication of our educational leaders, parents and students, Maryland has become a national model for quality, public education,” said Governor Martin O’Malley. ‘Dr. Sadusky understands the State’s public education system and I am confident that he will expertly lead the system as the search continues for a permanent superintendent. Working together, we can continue to provide our children with the tools they need to build a better future.”

Dr. Sadusky said that Maryland’s public school system is one of the State’s crown jewels. “Job number one must be to maintain our educational progress,” he said. “My plan is to continue the work that the State Board and Dr. Grasmick have started. Work on Maryland’s Race to the Top projects will be our focus as we further improve instruction and student achievement.”

State Board President James DeGraffenreidt said Dr. Sadusky’s appointment will help keep Maryland’s schools on the right path. “Dr. Sadusky possesses the complement of background, experience and relationships that gives the State Board great confidence that he is the right leader for this transitional period,” he said.

“Bernie is the perfect choice to continue to move our Maryland education forward,” said Dr. Grasmick. “He understands education from the local system perspective, and has spent a career helping strengthen student performance. I leave my post with great certainty that our public school system is in very good hands.”