The Board of Education of Charles County on Oct. 24 selected Samichie Thomas to fill the vacant District 1 seat. Thomas was chosen after the Board conducted a search for applicants from District 1 interested in serving as a Board member.
Thomas will officially be sworn into the role in the next few weeks. Once she is formally sworn into the role, Thomas will complete the remainder of the vacant District 1 Board member term through December 2026. The seat was left vacant earlier this year when a former Board member resigned. Thomas was one of seven applicants from District 1 and interviewed with the Board last Friday.
In accepting her selection to fill the vacancy, Thomas said she is excited to begin her term with the Board. “I look forward to being part of the Board and collaborating with all stakeholders to invest in the educational future for Charles County Public Schools,” Thomas said.
Board of Education Vice Chairperson Yonelle Moore Lee, Esq., said the selection process was challenging for the Board due to the expertise, experience and unique backgrounds of the applicants.
“The Board was impressed not only with the caliber of the applicants and their collective expertise, but also with each applicant’s passion, interest and commitment to serving children in Charles County and their community as a whole. It was a difficult decision, and we greatly appreciate everyone who stepped up to serve. On behalf of the Board, we welcome Ms. Thomas and look forward to working with her as a Board member representing District 1,” Moore Lee said.
Thomas ran in the 2022 Board of Education election for one of two seats on the Board for District 1. According to the official election results, Thomas received the third highest percentage vote among Board of Education District 1 candidates. During the election process, Thomas received official endorsements from the Education Association of Charles County (EACC) and American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) – the unions that represent school system staff and teachers.
Thomas applied in August when the Board announced it was seeking applicants for the vacancy. Thomas said she applied because she still had a desire to serve on the Board. “I am deeply passionate about education and believe in its transformative power,” she said.
A resident of Hughesville, Thomas has an extensive background in human resources management with agencies such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, NASA, Office of Naval Intelligence and Naval Criminal Investigative Services (NCIS). She currently serves as the public sector consulting director and oversees business operations and resources with Oracle.
Thomas has a master’s degree in human resources management and development from Bowie State University, and a bachelor’s degree in social work with a minor in education, also from Bowie State University.
About CCPS
Charles County Public Schools provides 27,598 students in grades prekindergarten through 12 with an academically challenging education. Located in Southern Maryland, Charles County Public Schools has 37 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 Kathy Kiessling, 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).