The Prince George's County school board is expected to appoint Interim Superintendent William R. Hite Jr. to the permanent post Friday.

"The community knows and trusts Dr. Hite, and teachers and staff strongly support him," Board Chairwoman Verjeana M. Jacobs (At-large) said in a statement Tuesday. "With Dr. Hite as superintendent, Prince George's County Public Schools won't miss a beat — the steady drumbeat of academic progress will continue."

Board members said in the past few weeks that Hite was the only candidate being considered after they determined he met the job's qualifications, such as being willing to stay in the job long-term, able to communicate with the public and experienced with improving students' academic achievement. The board opted not to have a national search for a superintendent, as they have done in the past, because they felt Hite met the qualifications suggested by residents during community meetings.

The board is scheduled to vote to appoint Hite at 6 p.m. Friday at the Sasscer Administration Building in Upper Marlboro.

Hite took over the school system Dec. 1 after the departure of then-Superintendent John E. Deasy, who left the school system in November to work for the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, a foundation that focuses on education and world health. Previously, Hite had served as Deasy's deputy superintendent since 2006.

"I am honored to receive the trust of the Board of Education as we continue the work we have done on behalf of the students and parents of Prince George's County public schools," Hite said in the statement. "Together, we will make decisions based on equity and the shared goal of preparing all students to graduate ready for success in college and careers."

Although the county has been plagued with short-term superintendents — no superintendent has lasted more than four years in the job since 1991 — Hite has said publicly he is committed to staying in the job if offered it.

"We are very happy here, and we intend to make this our home, if asked," Hite said in a December interview.

A native of Richmond, Va., Hite has a bachelor's degree from Virginia Tech, a master's degree from the University of Virginia and a doctorate from Virginia Tech. He began his teaching career in Henrico County, Va., where he worked for 18 years in teaching and administration positions. Before coming to Prince George's to serve as deputy superintendent, Hite was an assistant superintendent in Cobb County, Ga., near Atlanta.

E-mail Megan King at mking@gazette.net.