The Montgomery County Education Association (MCEA) teacher’s union released a statement published in Montgomery Perspective, responding to the statement made by MCPS Superintendent Dr. Monifa McKnight. The Board of Education released the following statement. The MCEA statement is titled, “MCEA Says Board of Ed Appears Justified in Seeking Superintendent’s Resignation” and can be seen in full below:
“We’ve learned today that the Montgomery County Board of Education has called for the resignation of Superintendent Dr. Monifa McKnight. We understand that Dr. McKnight is claiming the board is offering no reasons for this decision. However, we – like the rest of the public — are aware of serious problems with her leadership.
In the wake of the Washington Post exposé of sexual harassment and bullying by an MCPS principal, new revelations increasingly indicate that the superintendent has been more concerned with protecting herself and her close associates than with doing right by front-line staff and students.
The superintendent’s overseeing body, the board, is no doubt aware of confidential information that caused them to determine this drastic step is necessary. In declaring open war with the board, Dr. McKnight threatens to further damage not only her own future, but also the board’s efforts to restore the public’s trust in Montgomery County Public Schools.
Right now, educators and the students we serve are the ones bearing the brunt of this disturbing chaos. We need to put out this fire and get back to the work of educating our young people.”