National search for next superintendent

[Anonymous]

The board's press release today:

Board of Education Begins National Search for Next MCPS Superintendent

March 8, 2024
Comprehensive Effort to Gather Community Input and Interest for the Next Superintendent Begins Now

The Montgomery County Board of Education is launching a nationwide search for the next superintendent of Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS), who will assume the role on July 1, 2024. In its commitment to secure the best candidate to lead the school system and prepare students for success in college, career and community, the Board will hire a search firm to recruit and vet the candidates. While the Board selects the firm, it will begin a conversation with the community about the most important characteristics in a new superintendent.

To ensure a comprehensive and inclusive search, the Board is moving ahead with seeking input from stakeholders in Montgomery County. The input gathered and the Board’s core values and strategic priorities will inform candidate selection. The vital characteristics of the next superintendent will be collected through multiple channels.

A website has been launched to provide information about the search process. The website features a feedback form, allowing users to express their priorities regarding the next superintendent.
Next week, a comprehensive survey will be available to students, staff and the community to further identify the desired characteristics of the next superintendent.
The Board is hosting three in-person town halls the first week of April.
April 2, 2024–Seneca Valley High School, 6:00 p.m.
April 3, 2024–Richard Montgomery High School, 6:00 p.m.
April 4, 2024–Wheaton High School, 6:00 p.m.
A virtual forum is being planned. A date and time have not yet been finalized.
Additional community engagement efforts will include interviews with key community leaders and focus groups with various community partners. This comprehensive approach will inform the national search for highly qualified candidates for the superintendent position.

The superintendent search is being conducted in three phases.

Phase I involves a collection of information from students, staff, community partners and county leaders to develop the leadership profile.
Phase II will consist of a national search, during which qualified candidates will be identified by the Board of Education for initial interviews based on the leadership profile. To ensure a broad search and encourage applications from highly qualified candidates who are very likely currently serving as superintendents elsewhere, the identities of any candidates under consideration will remain confidential.
Phase III will entail the identification of final candidates who will undergo second interviews with the Board of Education and a representative community panel, leading to the selection and announcement of the final appointee.
Important Note: The decision to select a superintendent is the most important responsibility of the Board of Education and it is the Board’s priority to identify a highly qualified candidate. The Board is fully committed to conducting a thorough search until they find a suitable candidate who meets its leadership profile.

"The significance of the superintendent search process cannot be understated,” said Karla Silvestre, president of the Montgomery County Board of Education. “It is crucial that we secure a highly qualified superintendent who shares our commitment to student success and who will work tirelessly toward that end. I urge all members of our community to participate in the public engagement process, to ensure that their voices are heard and that we select a superintendent who reflects the values and priorities of our diverse community."

By Maryland state law, county school superintendent appointments must be finalized by July 1 for Maryland State Department of Education approval and appointment for the upcoming school year.

https://ww2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/press/index.aspx?pagetype=showrelease&id=13392&type=&startYear=&pageNumber=&mode=

[Anonymous]

It will be nearly impossible to get anyone decent to take this job and even if they were able to, this seems like a short timeline given that the new sup is due to begin the position in fewer than 120 days. Any chance they would make Dr. Felder the interim for the entirety of next school year in order to actually attempt to take on a meaningful and robust search?

[Anonymous]

It’s all a big show so when they hire the interim they can check the box that they did a national search. MCPS and BOE prove time and again that they don’t actually value diversity of thought and prefer to promote homegrown folks. There is a reason that the slogan in MCPS is “bad teachers become principals, bad principals go to CO, bad CO become superintendents”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It will be nearly impossible to get anyone decent to take this job and even if they were able to, this seems like a short timeline given that the new sup is due to begin the position in fewer than 120 days. Any chance they would make Dr. Felder the interim for the entirety of next school year in order to actually attempt to take on a meaningful and robust search?

I think that is likely if the applicants aren't impressive.

[Anonymous]

There is nothing said about the search firm being used to identify candidates for the job.

Given the timeline, that seems way more important than using up valuable time by going through the motions to obtain the faux input from community stakeholders.

The sh-- show continues.

[Anonymous]

DCUM complains when MCPS seeks community input, and when they don't seek community input.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s all a big show so when they hire the interim they can check the box that they did a national search. MCPS and BOE prove time and again that they don’t actually value diversity of thought and prefer to promote homegrown folks. There is a reason that the slogan in MCPS is “bad teachers become principals, bad principals go to CO, bad CO become superintendents”

"Value diversity of thought" is a phrase used by Republicans in Montgomery County who want affirmative action for Republicans in Montgomery County.

Anyway, somebody should bookmark this post to see if the PP's the-fix-is-in prediction comes true.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DCUM complains when MCPS seeks community input, and when they don't seek community input.

The BOE always seeks fake input in superintendent searches.

[Anonymous]

I am in favor of the county executive's proposal to the state to enable greater transparency and collaboration on the school district's budget. We leave a $3.3 billion enterprise ultimately in the hands of one person, the superintendent, because of state law guiding LEA organization. Superintendents come and go, but we need to address the fiefdom construct of the school district and ensure it's disassembled.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It will be nearly impossible to get anyone decent to take this job and even if they were able to, this seems like a short timeline given that the new sup is due to begin the position in fewer than 120 days. Any chance they would make Dr. Felder the interim for the entirety of next school year in order to actually attempt to take on a meaningful and robust search?

No, they just want to continue on McKnight's path. This means more honors for all equity programs.

And yes, nobody decent will take this job because some parents will be out from day 1, just like with McKnight, looking for an excuse to crucify them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am in favor of the county executive's proposal to the state to enable greater transparency and collaboration on the school district's budget. We leave a $3.3 billion enterprise ultimately in the hands of one person, the superintendent, because of state law guiding LEA organization. Superintendents come and go, but we need to address the fiefdom construct of the school district and ensure it's disassembled.

Yes, there must be structural changes to how MCPS is run.

Ask each BOE candidate whether they support structural changes and vote out those supporting the status quo.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am in favor of the county executive's proposal to the state to enable greater transparency and collaboration on the school district's budget. We leave a $3.3 billion enterprise ultimately in the hands of one person, the superintendent, because of state law guiding LEA organization. Superintendents come and go, but we need to address the fiefdom construct of the school district and ensure it's disassembled.

Yes, there must be structural changes to how MCPS is run.

Ask each BOE candidate whether they support structural changes and vote out those supporting the status quo.

Can you elaborate on structural change? Can you provide concrete examples of how this would help the county function?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am in favor of the county executive's proposal to the state to enable greater transparency and collaboration on the school district's budget. We leave a $3.3 billion enterprise ultimately in the hands of one person, the superintendent, because of state law guiding LEA organization. Superintendents come and go, but we need to address the fiefdom construct of the school district and ensure it's disassembled.

Yes, there must be structural changes to how MCPS is run.

Ask each BOE candidate whether they support structural changes and vote out those supporting the status quo.

Can you elaborate on structural change? Can you provide concrete examples of how this would help the county function?

Start with this:

https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2024RS/bills/sb/sb1026f.pdf

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am in favor of the county executive's proposal to the state to enable greater transparency and collaboration on the school district's budget. We leave a $3.3 billion enterprise ultimately in the hands of one person, the superintendent, because of state law guiding LEA organization. Superintendents come and go, but we need to address the fiefdom construct of the school district and ensure it's disassembled.

Yes, there must be structural changes to how MCPS is run.

Ask each BOE candidate whether they support structural changes and vote out those supporting the status quo.

It's not up to the BOE. It's your state legislators you need to focus on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am in favor of the county executive's proposal to the state to enable greater transparency and collaboration on the school district's budget. We leave a $3.3 billion enterprise ultimately in the hands of one person, the superintendent, because of state law guiding LEA organization. Superintendents come and go, but we need to address the fiefdom construct of the school district and ensure it's disassembled.

Yes, there must be structural changes to how MCPS is run.

Ask each BOE candidate whether they support structural changes and vote out those supporting the status quo.

It's not up to the BOE. It's your state legislators you need to focus on.

It's worth asking BOE candidates how they stand on the proposed legislation. The county executive was at the statehouse supporting it. What do the BOE candidates think?