One principal reassignment drew the ire of multiple Montgomery County Board of Education members at a meeting on Monday.
Montgomery Public Schools leadership announced 15 principal transfers or reassignments in May.
The transfer in question involved a principal at Percy Julian High School being reassigned to McIntyre, a school that has maxed out at 75 enrolled students in recent years. The move would leave the relatively small school with two principals earning around $230,000 combined.
The reassignment was one of many approved at a meeting on Monday. The two white board members voted to go into executive session to discuss the matter, but the motion was voted down.
“It’s absolutely stupid,” Lesa Keith, Montgomery County Board of Education District 1 member, said. “How do you not go back and at least discuss it. This is a race thing.”
Keith continued, “We have a few people on the board that are hellbent on hurting our superintendent in any way that they can and that’s just a fact.”
Pamela Cloud, Montgomery County Board of Education District 5 member, told 1819 News, “We have got to stop thinking politically. It is damaging what we are trying to do for our children.”
“We have to be board members first for our children before we look at politics or anything outside of that. We’re there for our children to give them the best education that they deserve. When people start moving away from that premise, there’s where we have problems,” Cloud said.
After publication, Keith said in a statement to 1819 News on Tuesday morning, “For those who know me, you know that I have always been a passionate advocate for Montgomery Public Schools, our children, our employees, and our families. The emotion I displayed during yesterday’s meeting came from that deep commitment and genuine concern for the future of our district.”
“I firmly believe in holding everyone accountable, including school leaders, when necessary to ensure the best outcomes for students. I also believe in supporting our superintendent as he makes difficult personnel recommendations that he believes are in the best interest of the district. Yesterday’s Special Called Meeting was necessary because, at the previous Board meeting, the Personnel Report failed to receive the required Board approval. As a result, the entire report failed, leaving more than 177 employees uncertain about their employment status and next steps. That uncertainty affected not only those employees, but also their families and the overall stability of our district. To address those concerns, provide clarity for affected employees, and allow the Board an opportunity to reconsider the matter, the Special Called Meeting was convened,” Keith said. “Additionally, a personnel matter involving accountability that I believed should have been resolved instead created circumstances that, based on legal advice, limited the superintendent’s ability to bring forward the same recommendation again due to potential legal challenges. Consequently, a costly personnel placement decision had to be made that, in my opinion, resulted from the Board’s earlier decision not to approve the Personnel Report rather than from any action taken by the superintendent. While I regret allowing my frustration to be expressed in the manner that it was, especially in the presence of our students, I do not apologize for caring deeply about our children, our employees, and the future of Montgomery Public Schools. My passion comes from wanting what is right for this district and from believing that accountability must apply to everyone if we are truly committed to excellence.”
Keith continued, “I remain confident that Montgomery Public Schools is moving in the right direction under its current leadership. My hope is that we, as a Board, will remain focused on supporting effective leadership, making decisions based on what is best for students, and working together to advance the progress our district has made. Our children, our employees, and our community deserve nothing less.”
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