MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. — The Montgomery County Board of Education announced Friday that Superintendent Dr. Monifa McKnight has parted ways with the school district.
According to a statement from the Montgomery County Board of Education, the separation is effective immediately.
"The Board is grateful to Dr. McKnight for her many years of service to MCPS and public education," the school board said. "We wish her well in her next chapter."
While the reason as to why the district and McKnight are parting ways was not released, the move comes after a months-long investigation into Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) which detailed years-long issues in the way the school system handles employee complaints – including sexual harassment accusations.
McKnight acknowledged the findings in a statement saying, "I am fully in alignment with the OIG’s recommendations, many of which I have already been working with my team to address by implementing dozens of corrective actions over the last several months."
McKnight added that although the issues started before she was superintendent, her goal was to end them on her watch.
"The Board is aware of the important work ahead," the board said in their statement. "We must rebuild trust, begin to heal, and ensure that our school system is equipped to serve the students, staff, and families who make up our great school community."
Shortly after the news of McKnight's departure was announced, the former superintendent released her own statement, saying over the past several months she has felt there was a distraction.
"When the focus is no longer on whom I have agreed to serve, I must control my own fate. I have also maintained that it is critical that my reputation remains grounded in facts and truth," she said in a statement. "Effective today, after careful reflection, prayer, and willingness to demand fairness, I have reached a mutually agreed separation with the Board of Education."
McKnight has worked with MCPS for 23 years. She fondly remembered stepping into her classroom and how it has been her purpose in life to give every student a high-quality education.
"I can remember my first day in the classroom in MCPS in August of 2001 when I fell in love with the children I served, the school that supported them, the families who connected with the children, and the many colleagues who alongside me committed our life’s mission to this work," she wrote. "To this day, it still gives me that joy when I walk into classrooms in our great system and see this same love and joy in action."
McKnight went on to explain her and the district's achievements since she became Superintendent in 2022. She ended her statement by reminding students to do their best.
"To our parents, thank you for entrusting me to serve your children," she said. "It was an honor to do so."
The board says the search for a new superintendent will begin in the coming days. On Feb. 6, the board will announce who will take over as the interim superintendent to lead the system through the remainder of the 2023-24 school year. Until then, Chief Operating Officer Brian Hull will serve as acting superintendent.
RELATED: Report finds years-long issues in the way Montgomery County Schools handled employee complaints
Do you have a news tip on this story or any other story? We want to hear from you. Tell us about it by emailing newstips@wusa9.com.
MORE WAYS TO GET WUSA9
DOWNLOAD THE WUSA9 APP
Apple App Store: WUSA9 News on Apple
Google Play Store: WUSA9 News on Android
HOW TO ADD THE FREE WUSA9+ APP TO YOUR STREAMING DEVICE
ROKU: add the channel from the ROKU store or by searching for WUSA9.
For both Apple TV and Fire TV, search for "WUSA9" to find the free app to add to your account. Another option for Fire TV is to have the app delivered directly to your Fire TV through Amazon.
SIGN UP TO RECEIVE WUSA9 NEWSLETTER
Subscribe to our daily WUSA9 Newsletter for top stories from WUSA9 curated daily just for you. Get content and information right now for can’t-miss stories, Commanders content, weather, and more delivered right to your inbox.