By unanimous vote, the Montgomery County School Board approved Dr. Monifa B. McKnight’s employment contract as Superintendent of Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) on Tuesday, May 10. Dr. McKnight, who has served MCPS in various capacities for two decades, started out as a teacher and is currently the district’s acting superintendent.
“Dr. McKnight is an exceptionally qualified leader who will build on our district’s legacy of excellence and help ensure that we are an innovative and equitable school system that provides a world-class education for all of our students. “said Brenda Wolff, Chair of the Board of Education. “Dr. McKnight brings a deep understanding of what students and staff need to take MCPS to the next level.
The board conditionally appointed Dr. McKnight as superintendent on February 8, 2022, pending agreement on the terms of an employment contract and approval from the state’s superintendent of schools, as required by Maryland law. The Board and Dr. McKnight completed negotiations over the terms of a four-year employment contract last month, and the state superintendent approved Dr. McKnight for superintendence on Feb. 9. Dr. McKnight’s past experience at MCPS as a teacher, principal, assistant superintendent, and most recently, acting superintendent, has immersed her deeply in the work of the system and leaves her well prepared for challenges.
“I look forward to working as the next superintendent of Montgomery County Public Schools and working with students, parents, staff, and community leaders to expand opportunities so our students are college-ready. career and community,” Dr. McKnight said. . “My priorities focus on building and rebuilding trust, supporting mental health and well-being, and returning the district’s focus to equitable teaching and learning for all students so that the potential of our school system.
Since being conditionally appointed by the Board, Dr. McKnight has spent time listening to community feedback on these priorities through a series of engagement sessions, “All Together Now: Putting our students first. Hundreds of community members came together to discuss the schools’ strengths, opportunities for growth, and how to better serve students. Further engagement opportunities are planned.
Under the terms of the four-year contract, Dr. McKnight will earn a salary of $320,000 per year and will also receive $48,000 in deferred compensation, as well as a matching contribution to his pension plan. She will also receive other benefits, including health, disability and life insurance; moving expenses; and the use of a vehicle.
Biography of Dr. McKnight
Dr. Monifa B. McKnight is currently acting superintendent for MCPS. Prior to this position, she served as Deputy Superintendent of MCPS. She also served as the School Management and Instructional Leadership Officer for the Howard County Public School System.
Prior to working in Howard County, Dr. McKnight served as Director of Secondary Leadership Development Programs at MCPS. She also served as Senior Campus Ambassador for the U.S. Department of Education in 2016 under Secretary of Education John King.
Dr. McKnight was honored as the 2015 Maryland Middle School Principal of the Year by the Maryland Secondary School Principals’ Association and as the 2015 Maryland State Principal of the Year by the National Association of Secondary School Principals. She received this honor during her fifth year as principal of Ridgeview Middle School in Gaithersburg.
Her previous experience includes: classroom teacher, English resource teacher, staff development teacher and vice principal. She holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from South Carolina State University at Orangeburg, a master’s degree in instructional leadership from Bowie State University, and a doctorate in education in instructional leadership and policy from the University of Maryland, College Park.
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