Michael Durso to Return to MCPS as Acting Chief of Staff

MCS Staff January 5, 2024 at 11:45pm

Updated with additional information from MCPS

Former Springbrook principal (1996-2009) and Montgomery County Board of Education member (2009-2018), Michael Durso, will return to MCPS as acting Chief of Staff.

Montgomery Perspective reports that Durso will be taking over for Brian Stockton, who was named to the position in the summer of 2022. MCPS spokesperson Chris Cram has told us that “Brian Stockton was recently married (in October) and tried to maintain a long distance relationship, but ultimately has decided to join his new wife in a new city, and we wish him well as he begins this new chapter. His wife, who is also a leader in education, has convinced him to bring his talents to a new community. His last day with MCPS was Jan. 3”

“Yesterday it was announced to staff that Mr. Michael Durso will be acting as MCPS Chief of Staff beginning January 16. Mr. Durso comes to this role as a former Montgomery County Board of Education president, member, and former principal at Springbrook High School in MCPS. He will work closely with Ms. Nancy Navarro, senior advisor for external affairs, to enhance communications and partnerships with school and community leaders, association partners, and elected officials, including the Board of Education, County Council, county executive, and Montgomery County State delegation.

Together with Ms. Navarro, they will also be focused on advancing the priorities of the Board of Education, which include a focus on math and literacy instruction, ensuring a safe and secure environment for students and staff, recruitment, retention, and distribution of diverse staff, and improving two-way communication between families and schools.”

More on Michael Durso, per MCPS (2016): “Durso was elected to his first four-year term in 2010 after being appointed to the Board in June 2009 to finish an unexpired term. He was elected to his second four-year term in November 2014. A resident of Silver Spring, Mr. Durso is a retired educator, whose 44-year career included 13 years with Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) as principal of Springbrook High School (1996 to 2009). He also served as the principal of Yorktown High School in Arlington, Virginia, and as principal of Woodrow Wilson High School and Lincoln Junior High School in Washington, D.C. He began his career as a social studies teacher.

Mr. Durso was appointed in 2013 to serve on the Maryland Center for School Safety Governing Board and currently serves as an adjunct professor at McDaniel College. He is the recipient of various awards, including the Outstanding Principal Award which is sponsored nationally by Burger King and the National Association of Secondary School Principals (1987), Executive Educator of the Month Award by Executive Educator Magazine (1986), and Outstanding Volunteer Award by the Middle States Association (2009).

Mr. Durso received a degree in American history with a minor in education philosophy from The Catholic University of America and a master’s degree from American University in Educational Administration. He is married with four children who graduated from MCPS.”