The Prince George's County Board of Education and the Superintendent of Schools released the following statements regarding Dr. Hite's selection as a finalist for superintendent for the School District of Philadelphia:

Message from the Prince George's County Board of Education:

Dr. Hite is a talented superintendent and this announcement serves as validation of the progress we are making in our school district. If Dr. Hite were to leave, we would be sorry to see him go. However, we remain committed to continuing our efforts to improve the quality of education of our students and will continue to guide the school district as we prepare for the 2012-13 school year.

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Message from the Dr. William R. Hite:

Earlier today, the School Reform Commission (SRC) for the School District of Philadelphia announced that I have been named a finalist for superintendent. This announcement comes after weeks of discussions with the SRC. While I have not sought out other professional opportunities, I have been approached on numerous occasions and have turned them down. However, my wife Deirdre and I believe this is an opportunity that we must explore. Despite significant fiscal challenges, our school system has made significant progress and I am extremely proud of what we have accomplished over the last three years with the support of our school board members. As the search process continues, I will try to keep you informed. As always, thank you for your support