Starr Resigns as Montgomery Schools Superintendent

After weeks of speculation, Dr. Joshua Starr has resigned as superintendent of Montgomery County Public Schools effective Feb. 16, and school leaders pledged to have a new superintendent in place by July 1.

The board of education voted unanimously Tuesday to approve an agreement that pays Starr the rest of his salary for the year, and begins a national search for his replacement.

“The Board and I thank Dr. Starr for the work he has done since 2011 and we wish him much success in the future,” said Patricia B. O’Neill, president of the Board of Education. “The agreement we have reached today allows the Board and the district to move forward strategically to select a new leader and continue our tradition of excellence in Montgomery County.”

»What do you think of the decision for Dr. Starr and MCPS to part ways? Tell us in comments below.

Montgomery County Board of Education met in closed session recently, apparently to discuss Starr’s $250,000-plus salary and his contract with MCPS. Starr’s contract expires June 30, according to Montgomery Community Media, but he had to request an extension by Feb. 1.

Under the agreement approved Tuesday, Starr will receive the remainder of the salary he is owed under his contract, payment for any unused sick and annual leave in accordance with his contract, and health insurance benefits through the end of 2015. (See the full details of the agreement.)

The board has recommended that Larry A. Bowers, the district’s chief operating officer, serve as interim superintendent of schools. The appointment is subject to approval by Maryland State Superintendent of Schools Lillian M. Lowery, the district says.

Starr said Tuesday that he was grateful for the opportunity to lead MCPS for the past three-and-a-half years and thanked the district’s employees for the exceptional work they are doing.

“I am very proud of the work we have done together to prepare our students to thrive in their future, and I am very grateful to the employees of MCPS, who have been striving to provide our students with the academic knowledge, creative problem solving skills, and social emotional support they need to be successful in the 21st century,” he said.

»See Superintendent Starr’s full statement here

O’Neill said an outside firm will be hired to conduct a national search for a new superintendent. The board expects to appoint the firm this month and intends to have a new superintendent in place on July 1.

»See Board of Education President Patricia O’Neill’s statement here

Bowers is in his 37th year at Montgomery County Public Schools, having served as chief operating officer for the last 16 years. He also has served as deputy superintendent, chief financial officer, budget director, assistant to the deputy superintendent, and assistant to the Board of Education.

“MCPS is a strong school system because of the exceptional women and men who dedicate their lives to serving our children. We will continue to deliver a high-quality education for every child in this time of transition,” Bowers said. “The executive leadership team and I will ensure that all operations continue normally and that schools have the support they need to help every child succeed.”

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