Board of Education Update

February 7, 2024

Update on the Inspector General’s Report

Yesterday, the Montgomery County Board of Education released a comprehensive summary of the timeline and issues faced by Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) that led to last month’s Inspector General’s report into how the school system handles complaints.

Board President Karla Silvestre summarized in detail what MCPS administrators and the Board knew and when, with the goal of creating a fuller picture of what transpired last fall.

“We have heard your requests for a better understanding of Jackson Lewis’ findings, and we are taking another look at the report to see if there are any areas which we could redact less.” Board President Silvestre said.

“These were systemic failures. Moreover, the Board, which is meant to act as the public’s voice in the school system and exists to provide oversight, was not informed in a timely manner and therefore could not provide that much-needed oversight. But that does not let this Board off the hook. We need to do better too.”

Read the full Board summary.

Watch the Board President reading the summary at Tuesday’s Board meeting.
Video Link

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Welcome to Interim Superintendent Dr. Monique Felder

Yesterday, the Montgomery County Board of Education voted to appoint Dr. Monique Felder as interim superintendent of Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) at their Board meeting.

Dr. Felder returns to MCPS to assist with the transition while the Board of Education identifies the next permanent leader. She brings 32 years of experience in public education, including a career that grew in as superintendent for Orange County Public Schools in North Carolina, where she was nominated as regional superintendent of the year.

Watch the press conference where Interim Superintendent Felder was introduced and hear her talk about the personal experiences she brings to MCPS.
Watch Video