Tag: monifa mcknight

Petition asks U.Md. to reverse its decision on hiring former Montgomery Co. Superintendent McKnight – WTOP News

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The Change.org petition claims that the hiring of former Montgomery County Public Schools Superintendent Monifa McKnight to a leadership position at the University of Maryland is “unacceptable and immoral.”

Days after the University of Maryland hired a former Montgomery County superintendent, a new online petition is calling for university officials to “reverse course” on the decision.

The Change.org petition claims that the hiring of former Montgomery County Public Schools Superintendent Monifa McKnight to a leadership position at the University of Maryland is “unacceptable and immoral.”

McKnight resigned from Montgomery County schools in February after the school system’s handling of allegations of bullying and sexual harassment were criticized in two reports from the county’s Office of the Inspector General. The investigations took place after misconduct allegations against former Farquhar Middle School principal Joel Beidleman came to light in August 2023. That June, Beidleman had been promoted to Paint Branch High School in Burtonsville.

The University announced Tuesday that McKnight was chosen to become its inaugural dean’s fellow and superintendent in residence starting in mid-August.

The new role includes supporting special projects for the College of Education.

The petition, which was started on Wednesday, had more than 900 signatures as of Saturday afternoon.

When asked about the petition, the University’s College of Education told WTOP that its continued focus remains on “building safe learning environments that best serve our community.”

“In order to become more impactful in our work, the College of Education strives to build stronger and sustained partnerships with school leaders, elected officials and other members of the education community. We believe our collaboration and consultation with Dr. McKnight will help us better align our work with the needs of schools and educators,” the school said in a emailed statement to WTOP.

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© 2024 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

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Valerie Bonk

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July 13, 2024
Montgomery Co.’s new superintendent earning $360K in salary – WTOP News

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As the leader of Maryland’s largest school district, newly appointed Montgomery County Public Schools Superintendent Thomas Taylor is earning an annual salary of $360,000. That’s $40,000 more than that of his predecessor, Monifa McKnight.

Thomas Taylor will serve as the new superintendent of Montgomery County Public Schools. (Courtesy Montgomery County Public Schools)

As the leader of Maryland’s largest school district, newly appointed Montgomery County Public Schools Superintendent Thomas Taylor is earning an annual salary of $360,000. That’s $40,000 more than that of his predecessor, Monifa McKnight.

McKnight’s contract put her annual salary at $320,000. When she left the job in January, she got a payout of $1.3 million from the Montgomery County school system.

Taylor’s contract also includes 13% of his base salary in deferred compensation each year. He’ll also get the use of a Montgomery County school system-owned vehicle and be reimbursed for relocation expenses.

Taylor is required to establish residency by Aug. 1 and his contract requires quarterly meetings with the school board to discuss progress.

The School Superintendent’s Association, or AASA, a national organization, conducts superintendent salary studies each year. In the last year, the survey showed that superintendent salaries didn’t keep pace with inflation over the last decade. According to the 2023-2024 survey, the median salary for 2023 was $7,000 less than the median salary in 2013.

But Noelle Ellerson Ng, associate executive director for Advocacy and Governance with the AASA, told WTOP, salary ranges depend on a number of factors. That can include location, size of a school district and expertise of a candidate.

A contract offer, she said, can be “as much an opportunity to be competitive with where the superintendent might otherwise go, as it is to want to recruit and retain the highest quality candidate to their district.”

When asked if a school district should expect that paying their superintendents top dollar should result in improved student performance, Ellerson Ng said, “Ideally, when you pay more, you are getting more.”

“It’s also important to keep in mind that districts might not be hiring solely for academic improvement, right?” she added.

Ellerson Ng explained there are times when a district will be looking for a candidate that can handle hot-button topics in a community, or they need someone with top-level budgetary skills along with expertise in education policy.

With the contract that Taylor’s just signed, he’s not the highest-paid in the region.

In the D.C. area, superintendent pay ranges from the $345,000 annual salary for Prince George’s County Schools Superintendent Millard House, to the $380,000 salary earned by Fairfax County’s Superintendent Michelle Reid.

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© 2024 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

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Kate Ryan

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July 11, 2024
$1.3 million goes to Monifa McKnight in split with Montgomery Co. schools – WTOP News

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The former superintendent of public schools in Montgomery County, Maryland, is receiving $1.3 million as part of her separation agreement with the school board.

The former superintendent of public schools in Montgomery County, Maryland, is receiving $1.3 million as part of her separation agreement with the school board.

Monifa McKnight also agreed not to sue the school board over anything that occurred before she signed the deal.

Last month, McKnight said she was stepping down from her post after she “mutually agreed to separate” with the school board.

She had been facing calls to resign amid questions over how the district handled sexual harassment and bullying allegations against a former principal who had recently been promoted.

McKnight was about two years into a four-year contract when she stepped down.

Next month, there will be a series of three forums where Montgomery County, Maryland, parents and residents can discuss what they want to see from the next school superintendent.

WTOP’s Scott Gelman and Kate Ryan contributed to this report.

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© 2024 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

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Veronica Canales

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March 16, 2024