From left, Dr. Mary Boswell-McComas, Dr. LeTrecia Gloster and Dr. Dawn Lucarelli are the three finalists for Kent County's next superintendent of schools.
ROCK HALL — Three frontrunners have emerged in the Kent County Board of Education's search for the next superintendent of schools.
The search process launched in January when Dr. Karen Couch, the current superintendent, announced her plans to retire at the end of the current school year.
The board hired the Maryland Association of Boards of Education (MABE) to lead the search for Dr. Couch's replacement.
With initial interview rounds complete, the board has announced that the three finalists are: Dr. Mary Boswell-McComas, Dr. LeTrecia Gloster and Dr. Dawn Lucarelli.
Dr. Mary Boswell-McComas
Dr. McComas is currently the principal of Sparrows Point Middle School, part of Baltimore County Public Schools. Baltimore County Public Schools has a total enrollment of more than 111,000 students in 176 schools.
Dr. McComas began her career nearly three decades ago as a high school social studies teacher in Harford County Public Schools and moved up the administrative ladder to assistant principal, followed by instructional facilitator for secondary schools.
She also served as an elementary and middle school principal in Baltimore City Public Schools, before moving to her current school system.
She began with Baltimore County Public Schools as a coordinator and served more than six years as the chief academic officer.
"Whether in the classroom as a teacher, chief academic officer or principal, I always keep sight of the bottom line — the children," Dr. McComas said.
She said she has consistently demonstrated her ability to lead at the cusp of educational expertise, financial acumen, operations management and child development.
Her leadership style is one of inclusivity and innovation, underscored by pragmatism. She said her ideas on how to chart new courses for better education, diversity, inclusion and staff work-life balance mimic the corporate workplace, with the future of our nation’s children as a compass.
Dr. LeTrecia Gloster
A Prince George's County native, Dr. Gloster is the assistant superintendent of the School District of the City of York (Pa.), which has nine schools serving more than 6,200 students.
Throughout her career of more than 20 years, she has held various leadership roles in diverse educational settings, ranging from rural to urban school districts. From mathematics teacher to middle school principal and executive director, she said she has consistently championed initiatives aimed at creating inclusive environments where every student can thrive.
"I was profoundly influenced by my grandmother, a former teacher in Gullah Island located in South Carolina," Dr. Gloster said. "It was my grandmother's tireless dedication to providing equitable access to education that ignited my passion for serving others and becoming an educator myself."
She said her unwavering dedication to servant leadership is a testament to her belief that "service is the rent we pay." With her head, heart and hands, she continues to inspire and uplift those around her, leaving an indelible mark on the field of education and beyond.
In her personal life, Dr. Gloster finds joy in spending time with her family, including her husband and two daughters.
Dr. Dawn Lucarelli
Dr. Lucarelli is the associate superintendent for Anne Arundel County Public Schools, serving 119 schools and more than 84,000 students.
She has more than 30 years of experience in public education, having started in the classroom as a teacher and rising through the administrative ranks as an assistant principal, principal and regional assistant superintendent.
Dr. Lucarelli said her diverse experiences highlight her passion for fostering inclusive communities and nurturing students and leaders.
"My mission is to ensure every student has access to opportunities in an environment that challenges and engages them in school and in life," Dr. Lucarelli said.
Dr. Lucarelli describes herself as a data-driven, results-oriented leader. She said she brings a unique perspective to leadership through a strengths-based supervision style that empowers individuals to thrive.
She finds fulfillment in her role as a proud mother of four children. Two of her children graduated from Carroll County Public Schools and two currently attend Anne Arundel County Public Schools.
Dr. Lucarelli said her children's presence serves as a daily reminder of her unwavering commitment to her "why" — the pursuit of excellence in education to shape brighter futures for all students.
Next steps in the superintendent search process include tours of each school and a round of community stakeholder interviews later this month.
Kent County Public Schools' new superintendent will start July 1.