On Thursday, Sean McGee, Associate Superintendent of School Support and Well-Being for MCPS, announced that the school system had decided to temporarily pause the selection process for Montgomery Blair High School’s next principal. The search will resume during the 2024-2025 school year. Kevin Yates, the current principal of Damascus High School who is retiring from his position on July 1, will serve as the acting principal of Montgomery Blair High School starting August 15, 2024. Full letter below:
“Dear Montgomery Blair High School Parents/Guardians, Students, and Staff,
I am writing to update you on the principal selection process at Montgomery Blair High School.
As you know, Mrs. Renay Johnson has announced her retirement from Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) effective July 1, 2024. Since this time of her announcement, we have begun the search and selection process for the next principal of Montgomery Blair High School. We have met with staff and families and provided opportunities to give input and share feedback on the characteristics they are looking for in a new principal. We also conducted several interview panels to find the next principal for Montgomery Blair High School. Unfortunately, throughout the interview process, we experienced multiple candidates who withdrew their applications which caused delays with this process. Due to the time of year and our desire to find the most qualified candidates, we have decided to pause the search for the selection process for the next principal for Montgomery Blair High School. We will resume the search and selection process during the 2024-2025 school year. Our intention is to expand our search across the nation to find the best candidates for Montgomery Blair High School.
In the meantime, it is necessary for us to name an acting principal for the 2024-2025 school year. Ms. Adriana Burgos, current assistant principal at Montgomery Blair High School, will serve as the acting principal from July 1, 2024 until August 14, 2024. Ms. Burgos has served as the assistant principal at Montgomery Blair High School for the past 7 years and has 19 years of experience spanning three different secondary schools. Mr. Kevin Yates will serve as the acting principal of Montgomery Blair High School beginning on August 15, 2024. Mr. Yates is the current principal of Damascus High School and is retiring July 1, 2024. He is finishing his 30th year in education and has a wealth of leadership experience that will support the Montgomery Blair community.
Ms. Burgos and Mr. Yates will immediately begin collaborating with Mrs. Johnson and the staff at Montgomery Blair High School to ensure a smooth transition. This leadership team will also continue to receive support from myself, Dr. Yolanda Allen, Director in the Office of School Support and Well-Being and from other resources within MCPS.
Please join me in officially welcoming Ms. Burgos and Mr. Yates as acting principals of Montgomery Blair High School beginning July 1, 2024.
Sincerely, Sean MeGee, Associate Superintendent Office of School Support and Well-Being”
