MOCO Superintendent To Be Appointed Tuesday, Board Agenda Says

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, MD — The next superintendent of Montgomery County Public Schools is scheduled to be appointed Tuesday, Feb. 8, at the beginning of a Board of Education meeting, according to the agenda.

Monifa McKnight took over as acting superintendent after Jack Smith retired in the spring of 2021. Smith said he stepped down to be closer to his grandson, who is sick.

The Parents Coalition of Montgomery County raised concerns that Smith is working for the company MCPS hired to help find a new superintendent. Fox5DC says it confirmed with Smith that he does work for that company, but he said he is not involved in finding his replacement.

McKnight told Bethesda Beat over the summer that she was intending to apply for the permanent position. She's been criticized by MCPS families in recent weeks for what some say is faulty or inadequate communication, specifically regarding COVID-19 procedures. She sent a letter to the community apologizing for that lack of communication and the district hosted forums where families could learn more about COVID-19 plans and ask questions.

"While the circumstances leading to these disruptions are beyond our control, we should have done a better job communicating with you about these challenges and clarifying our response," McKnight wrote in the letter. "I apologize for any stress this caused our staff, students, and community members."

The Board of Education has not released information about who the other candidates are. There are four finalists, according to the Board's website.

The district sent a survey to parents in October about what they wanted to see in a new superintendent, ranging from financial planning abilities to understanding the needs of a diverse student population.