The Prince George's County school board solidified leadership positions last week by finalizing the four-year contract for Superintendent William R. Hite Jr. and hiring a deputy superintendent.

Hite's contract will allow him to receive an annual salary of $250,000 and an annual performance bonus of up to $25,000. He will be ineligible to receive an annual performance bonus if he resigns before the end of a school year.

The change is designed to encourage superintendents to stay in the school system for the long-term. The school system has not had a superintendent stay for more than four years since 1991.

"They have to be fully committed to the county and to the children of Prince George's County," school board Chairwoman Verjeana M. Jacobs (At large) said of county superintendents. "We just don't think it's too much to ask that someone stay out the term of their contract."

Bonita Coleman-Potter, deputy superintendent in Jackson Public Schools in Jackson, Miss., officially began work as the school system's deputy superintendent Wednesday.

The deputy superintendent position has been vacant since Hite left it to serve as the acting superintendent of the county school system in November. He was named permanently to the superintendent position in April.

"The school system has become a leader in the nation with the work it is doing to ensure that every student has an effective and highly qualified teacher in the classroom," Coleman-Potter said in a statement. "I look forward to having the opportunity to work with our Board of Education and Dr. Hite in carrying out this important work."

Coleman-Potter's school district in Mississippi has about 31,000 students. Previously, she served as an associate state superintendent in Mississippi's Department of Education. Coleman-Potter has a bachelor's degree from Tougaloo College in Mississippi, a master's degree from the University of Mississippi and a doctorate from Jackson State University.

Coleman-Potter, 41, said she has admired the progress that has happened in Prince George's County and decided to take the position here, relocating from her native Mississippi along with her 11-year-old son, who will attend a county public school beginning this fall.

"So far, I'm just blown away by the hospitality I've received. I just want to be a part of doing this work," Coleman-Potter said.

Coleman-Potter completed the Broad Superintendents Academy, a 10-month superintendents' preparation program, last year.

Hite and his predecessor, former superintendent John E. Deasy, are also graduates of the Broad Superintendents Academy.

"I am thrilled to have Dr. Coleman-Potter join us in our work to improve education for children in Prince George's County," Hite said in the statement. "Her wealth of knowledge and broad experiences are aligned with many of our goals for the school system, and I look forward to working together to serve our students, staff and community."

Coleman-Potter said in an interview Monday she was inspired by her father's emphasis on his children's education, even though he did not finish middle school. Coleman-Potter and her siblings all have advanced degrees, she said.

For her career choice, she said she has never wanted to do anything other than education.

"The opportunity to be able to bless children is something I think is a divine purpose," Coleman-Potter said.

Coleman-Potter said parent outreach is among her goals.

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