The Montgomery County school board has appointed Thomas Taylor, superintendent of Stafford County Public Schools in Virginia, as its choice to lead Maryland's largest school system. This decision comes as the district works towards rebuilding employee morale and recovering from pandemic-related learning losses. The formal vote to confirm Taylor's appointment will take place next week.

With over 32,000 students, Taylor has been serving as the superintendent of Stafford County Public Schools since 2021. He brings a wealth of experience to the table, having spent more than 25 years as an educator. Taylor is an alumnus of Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School, making his new role with Montgomery County schools a "return home" for him.

Taylor has expressed his dedication towards ensuring every child in Montgomery County has access to a great education. In a statement, he emphasized the need for collaboration within the community to find solutions that will drive the district forward. If approved by the board, Taylor will assume his new position on July 1, succeeding interim Superintendent Monique Felder.

Montgomery County's school system has faced scrutiny over recent months due to allegations of harassment and misconduct among employees. The school board believes Taylor is well aware of the challenges ahead and is committed to fostering a positive culture of leadership within the district.

During his tenure as superintendent of Stafford County, Taylor introduced several innovative programs. These included a partnership with the Internal Revenue Service to train students in assisting low-income families with federal income tax preparation and a collaboration with the Fredericksburg Food Bank to establish food closets at schools. Taylor also facilitated the creation of "open source curriculum hubs," allowing teachers to exchange teaching materials.

Taylor's assumption of the superintendent role comes after a difficult budget season for the Montgomery County school system. The district had to address a $30 million budget shortfall, resulting in further cuts to its central office. As a result, there will be no deputy superintendent working alongside Taylor, as the position was eliminated in the approved budget. Furthermore, key administrative roles such as chief of staff and chief operating officer are currently vacant.

Speculation surrounds the departure of former chief operating officer Brian Hull, but the district has not provided any specific details, citing state law on personnel matters. Hull was responsible for overseeing the district's finances, transportation, facilities management, and labor relations.

Despite these challenges, Taylor is prepared to lead Montgomery County's school system, leveraging his expertise and experience to steer the district towards educational excellence and address the needs of students and staff.

As Montgomery County eagerly awaits the formal vote to confirm Taylor as its new superintendent, the community remains hopeful for positive change and continued progress in providing quality education for all.