Letonya Smalls, Ed.D., is joining the Board of Education of Charles County next month as the new at-large member elect. Under state law, her term officially begins the third Monday in December, Dec. 16. She will officially be sworn in at the Board’s Jan. 14 meeting.

Smalls will serve in the at-large member seat through 2028. The next election for the other Board seats – two per Charles County Commissioner district – is November 2026. Board Chairperson Yonelle Moore Lee, Esq., said she looks forward to welcoming and working with Smalls on the Board.

“On behalf of the Board of Education of Charles County, I congratulate Dr. Smalls on her election and welcome her to the Board. We look forward to working with her to collectively ensure that our Charles County Public Schools scholars are receiving the best education possible in our 38 schools and seven educational centers,” Moore Lee said. “During her campaign, Dr. Smalls highlighted the need to increase support and compensation for our educators. We will collaborate with her to continue supporting our teachers, administrators and support staff. They are the heart and soul of our school system and make success for our students possible.”

Board member Michael K. Lukas currently serves in the at-large seat after winning the 2022 election. Due to changes in Charles County Commissioner voting districts in 2022, an at-large position was open for election for an initial two-year term. Lukas has served on the Board of Education since 2010. He has held positions as chairperson and vice chairperson and is heavily involved in both Board of Education subcommittees and at the state level with the Maryland Association of Boards of Education. His last meeting as a Board member is Tuesday, Dec. 10.

“Mr. Lukas has been an instrumental part of the Board of Education for the past 14 years. Serving on the Board is a labor of love which involves sacrificing time with our own families to be of service to our community,” Moore Lee said. “The Board thanks him for his leadership, commitment and service to CCPS.”

Smalls is the founder and CEO of Little Dreamers Early Learning Program/Family Childcare in Waldorf. She also trains and coaches adult learners for Focus on Child, Inc., located in Chapel Oaks. Additionally, she is the CEO and leader of Transforming Minds Book Club, which focuses on leadership empowerment. She has more than 30 years of experience working in education.

Smalls completed her Doctorate in Educational Leadership at Northcentral University in Ariz. She has an advanced certificate in curriculum and instruction, a master’s degree in elementary education, a bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies and an associate degree in early childhood education. 

About CCPS

Charles County Public Schools provides 28,162 students in grades prekindergarten through 12 with an academically challenging education. Located in Southern Maryland, Charles County Public Schools has 38 schools that offer a technologically advanced, progressive and high quality education that builds character, equips for leadership and prepares students for life, careers and higher education.

The Charles County public school system does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age or disability in its programs, activities or employment practices. For inquiries, please contact Dr. Mike Blanchard, Title IX/ADA/Section 504 Coordinator (students) or Nikial M. Majors, Title IX/ADA/Section 504 Coordinator (employees/ adults), at Charles County Public Schools, Jesse L. Starkey Administration Building, P.O. Box 2770, La Plata, MD 20646; 301-932-6610/301-870-3814. For special accommodations call 301-934-7230 or TDD 1-800-735-2258 two weeks prior to the event. CCPS provides nondiscriminatory equal access to school facilities in accordance with its Use of Facilities rules to designated youth groups (including, but not limited to, the Boy Scouts).