On Tuesday, the Montgomery County’s Board of Education approved a four-year contract that finalizes Monifa B. McKnight as superintendent of Montgomery County Public Schools and will pay her an annual base salary of $320,000.  According to a report by the Washington Post, the contract will require McKnight, who currently resides in Prince George’s County, to relocate to Montgomery County “as soon as possible”, but no later than June 30, 2022, with the BOE paying up to $15,000 in relocation costs. McKnight and her family currently reside in Prince George’s County. McKnight will receive 30 days of paid annual leave and an additional 25 days for sick/personal leave, as well as a vehicle paid BOE. You can view the full contract here.

On Tuesday McKnight sent out a community message announcing a 3.35% cost of living adjustment and step wage increases for eligible MCPS employees.

In February, Dr. Monifa McKnight was named as the next superintendent of MCPS after serving as the acting/interim superintendent beginning in June, 2021. McKnight will move from her interim position into the permanent role as superintendent on July 1, with Tuesday’s contract approval being one of the final steps in the process.

“While I know these times pose incredible challenges, I am confident that we will meet them. This is a community of strength & caring, a community of great diversity and deep resolve. Working together there is no challenge we cannot meet,” Dr. McKnight said in February.

Prior to being named the Deputy Superintendent of MCPS, Dr. McKnight served as the Chief School Management and Instructional Leadership Officer for the Howard County Public School System. She was previously the Director for Secondary Leadership Development Programs for MCPS and also served as the principal of Ridgeview Middle School, where she received the Maryland Middle School Principal of the Year award.