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New leaders have been selected for the Prince George's County Schools' academic and special education departments, the county school board announced Monday.

Allan Arbogast, the former senior manager for academic accountability at Anne Arundel County schools, has been hired to fill the position of chief officer of academics, which has been vacant since July.

"We welcome Dr. Arbogast to Prince George's County Public Schools. His background in using data to increase student achievement and school improvement will serve us well as we continue to move into a performance-driven culture," Superintendent William Hite Jr. said in a statement.

The former chief officer of academics, Gino Flores, who was employed with the school system for just more than a year, moved back to California, school spokeswoman Tanzi West said.

West declined to discuss reasons for Flores' departure, stating that personnel matters are private.

Arbogast will oversee curriculum and instruction, research, testing, charter and contract schools, strategic planning, grant and professional development, and began Monday.

Arbogast is a 32-year veteran of Anne Arundel County public schools and will end his tenure Friday, Anne Arundel County schools spokeswoman Michelle Cattaneo said.

The school board also appointed the county supervisor of testing, Joan Marie Rothgeb, to serve as interim director of special education.

Rothgeb is temporarily replacing former director, Pamela Downing-Hosten. West, citing privacy of personnel matters, declined to provide a departure date or reason behind Downing-Hosten's exit and declined to provide further information on Rothgeb.

Neither Arbogast nor Rothgeb was available for comment by press time.

West said she is not sure if the school system is currently interviewing for a permanent special education director, but added that Rothgeb will be able to apply and interview for a permanent position.