MCPS Searching for a New Superintendent

Wilson Faucette - Garrett Park Estates, MD - 5.10.2021 - 7:05

Dr. Jack Smith, Superintendent, MCPS Photo: mcpsmd.org

Dr. Jack Smith is Retiring

You may be asking why MCPS is searching for a new superintendent. That would be because the current superintendent, Dr. Smith, announced his retirement in January. He set his retirement date for June 1, which is in just about 3 weeks. In his letter to MCPS, he said that he is retiring because his wife had moved to Maine to help their child and grandchild, and he could no longer live apart from them.

"As I have shared with some of you, my two-year old grandson had significant open heart surgery in May 2019 to reconstruct his malformed heart. While the surgery was successful, my wife, Gayle, relocated to Maine to help my daughter and son-in-law care for him. Her stay in Maine to support our grandson was extended with the COVID-19 pandemic. Given his health needs, our family’s circumstances are not going to change for at least the next few years. I need to join Gayle in Maine as I find I can no longer tolerate living most of the time separately." - Dr. Jack Smith in his letter to MCPS

The MCPS Board of Education has already announced that deputy superintendent, Dr. Monifa McKnight will take his place for now, as the acting/interim superintendent. However, they still need a permanent replacement.

MCPS Issued a Formal RFP

The MCPS Board of Education has issued a formal RFP(Request For Proposal) for a search firm to help, "In the superintendent selection process," according to their press release. Board President Brenda Wolff says that this is the start of the process, and that they will conduct a national search to find the best candidate for MCPS. 

Dr. Jack Smith Announces his Retirement  Video: MCPSTV

How will a Search Firm Help?

According to the MCPS Press Release , the search firm will help the Board of Education find a new superintendent in a couple of ways:

• Setting forth qualifications and criteria for a new superintendent
• Listening to the community and getting them engaged in the process so their voices are heard in the decision
• Identifying a group of highly qualified candidates
• Coordinating interviews
• Helping the board narrow down the field of candidates
• Advising the board on appropriate compensation 

MCPS is hoping to decide which search firm to use by July of this year. If you are interested in reading the RFP, you can view the RFP here. 

What do you think about how far along MCPS is in the process? Do you have any ideas about who the next superintendent will be? Let us know in the comments below.