For Hite and Prince George's schools, a smooth year, for a change

When John E. Deasy, the high-profile schools superintendent in Prince George's County, resigned abruptly in September 2008, many thought it spelled yet another whiplash change in direction for the school system, which had gone through four leaders since 1999.

Instead, the county chose continuity, hiring Deasy's number two, William R. Hite Jr., for the top post. At the end of his first full year on the job, Hite has proved a steadying hand, calm where Deasy was fiery and conciliatory where Deasy took a hard line, elected county officials and educators say.