Dr. Joseph Bostic, Jr. Appointed Principal of Wootton High School

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The Montgomery County Board of Education has appointed Dr. Joseph Bostic, Jr. as the new principal of Thomas S. Wootton High School, effective July 11, 2025, after serving as the school’s acting principal during the 2024–2025 academic year.

His selection followed a community-informed process emphasizing equity, antiracist instructional leadership, and a commitment to student success, with outgoing director Greg Mullenholz transitioning the role to Jewel Sanders for the upcoming school year.



Dear Thomas S. Wootton High School Students, Staff and Community,

Earlier today, the Montgomery County Board of Education appointed Dr. Joseph Bostic, Jr. as the next principal of Wootton High School, effective July 11, 2025.

During the principal selection process, which included a community survey and multiple community and staff engagement meetings, we gathered feedback from the community related to preferred characteristics for the next principal and priorities for the future of the school. Through these engagements, the community indicated that the next principal should be someone who has a strong presence in the school and surrounding community, who has a clear vision for student success rooted in antiracist instructional leadership, who is a strong collaborator who honors the tradition of excellence while confronting areas where structures and traditions create barriers to student access and success, who communicates effectively and transparently, and who has strong experiences with instructional leadership. Dr. Bostic demonstrated all of this and more to the selection committee and ultimately to the superintendent during the interview process.

Guiding the community panel were the community’s elevated priorities for Wootton High School. These included: crafting a clear future vision; cultivating a positive environment for staff, students, and community while collaboratively tackling climate concerns; ensuring instructional leadership prioritizes equitable outcomes for thriving learning environments; uniting diverse stakeholders by harnessing community strengths; and orchestrating complex change to expand opportunities for all students.

Importantly, throughout the engagement sessions, the community shared that a priority for the school is to strengthen the focus around equity and antiracism, ensuring that students have access to consistent, high-quality instruction and staff have access to meaningful professional learning opportunities that improve outcomes for all students. Based upon this feedback and more, these priorities were incorporated into the interview questions and the panel listened very closely as candidates addressed these priorities in their responses.

I know that you will join me in congratulating Dr. Bostic on his appointment as the next principal of Wootton High School and in welcoming him officially to the community. Shortly, Dr. Bostic will be sharing information with the community about opportunities to connect. I am confident that Dr. Bostic will serve well as the community’s principal, and I look forward to seeing Wootton take this next step into the future. For the 2025–2026 school year, Mrs. Jewel Sanders will be serving as the Director of School Leadership and Improvement for Wootton, as I will be transitioning out of this role with Wootton. I want to thank all of you for your support throughout the previous school year and for welcoming me into this amazing cluster. Mrs. Sanders will be the primary support for Dr. Bostic and the community, and I will continue to assist her with the transition.


Sincerely,




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Greg Mullenholz



Director, Division of School Leadership and Improvement


850 Hungerford Drive Room 100 Rockville, MD 20850




240.740.3100




montgomeryschoolsmd.org

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