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After what some residents have called a "revolving door" of Prince George's County superintendents, newly appointed schools superintendent William R. Hite Jr. pledged last week to stay in his new job until he is "old and gray."

Hite, 48, was named superintendent Friday, after weeks of speculation that he would receive the nod from the county school board. The appointment becomes official July 1.

"He plans to stay as our superintendent for a long time, and we are holding him to that," school board chairwoman Verjeana M. Jacobs (At large) said.

Hite, who has been running the school system since the departure of former Superintendent John E. Deasy in November, had served as the system's deputy superintendent since 2006. The Richmond, Va., native held various positions in teaching and administration in the Henrico County, Va., public school system and served as an assistant superintendent in Cobb County, Ga., near Atlanta.

In their comments Friday, board members spoke of Hite's genuine personality and ability to listen to others.

School system spokeswoman Tanzi West said Hite's contract would be for four years, but she said the details, such as salary, are not yet finalized. West said the contract was being worked on this week, but she did not know when it would be complete.

Deasy had an annual salary of $273,000, not including performance bonuses he was eligible to receive. In 2007, Deasy earned $16,666 in bonuses as a result of the school board's evaluation of his work.

Hite's current salary is $225,000.

Board member Donna Hathaway Beck (At large) said Hite's tenure as deputy superintendent showed he had the skills for the permanent job.

"I looked at this as an audition, and when you accompanied us on events and to meet with the community, I liked what I saw. I was very impressed by it," Beck said to Hite.

David L. Cahn, co-chairman of Citizens for an Elected Board, a county advocacy group, praised the board for not going through a national search when Hite was a qualified candidate. He encouraged Hite to have more community involvement in schools.

"I wish you every success as superintendent. I think you're going to be great for this district. I'm looking for great things from you," Cahn said.

Hite spoke of the accomplishments the school system has seen in the past several years, including 35 schools exiting "school improvement," a designation for schools struggling on state tests, and the awarding of the Maryland Teacher of the Year award to a Prince George's County teacher. He also warned of the challenges the system has faced, including dropouts, poor communication with parents and communities, and difficulties retaining teachers.

Hite said the system will face the challenge of sustaining academic process in the face of "massive revenue shortfalls" from the county and state.

The board has already cut millions from the school system's budget, and County Executive Jack B. Johnson (D) is seeking a waiver from the state to cut an additional $23.6 million from next year's budget. Under state law, the county is required to provide at least as much school funding every year as it did the previous year. The county is seeking a waiver from the state school board to decrease the amount due to an expected $113 million budget shortfall.

"I sit before you this evening committed to work with this Board of Education to address and resolve these and other issues," Hite said.

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