Parents share thoughts on Montgomery County Public Schools’ superintendent search survey
MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. (DC News Now) – Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) Board of Education has started the search for the school district’s next superintendent, and they’re asking for the community’s input.
It comes after the Board was surrounded by controversy that led to former superintendent Monifa McKnight stepping down. She and the Board chose to “mutually agree to separate” in February after months of controversy within the school district.
Montgomery County Public Schools community reflects on calls for superintendent to resign
MCPS is now asking parents, students and staff members to complete a survey to share what they believe is most important when hiring a new superintendent. Parents say the lack of transparency from the Board during that time has now led them to have mixed feelings about this new superintendent search.
“I’m skeptical,” MCPS parent Dawn Iannaco-Hahn said.
They want several topics related to the superintendent search and the school district’s future to be addressed in the survey.
“I want to know the background of any superintendent that they’re thinking about hiring,” Iannaco-Hahn said. “I want to know if there were any skeletons in that person’s closet.”
MCPS parent Wendy Kissin said school safety and student inclusion are her priorities.
“Inclusion. Is everybody included? Are kids being empowered? Is the school going to become as challenging as it used to be?” Kissin said.
Parents are hoping the community’s input will play a crucial role in helping the Board select the best leader for the school system.
“Somebody who will objectively look at what needs to happen to make the schools wonderful again,” Kissin said.
Parents share thoughts on McKnight stepping down, future of MCPS
Iannaco-Hahn is hoping that the Board finds someone completely outside of MCPS.
“[Someone] whose never been here before, who doesn’t live here, who has no experience with us and really wants to come in and clean the mess,” Iannaco-Hahn said.
The survey will be available starting Wednesday, March 13.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC.
