Montgomery County School Superintendent Joshua Starr Resigns

John Matthews
WMAL.com

ROCKVILLE — Montgomery County School Superintendent Joshua Starr resigned Tuesday after reaching an agreement with the county Board of Education to sever his contract, which had been scheduled to run through June 30.

Larry Bowers, the school system's Chief Operating Officer and a 37-year employee, will serve as acting Superintendent, effective February 16, while a national search is launched to find Starr's replacement.

"After much discussion, the board and Dr. Starr agreed it would be in the best interestof the district to appoint a new leader to carry forward the board's vision," said Patricia O'Neill, president of the Montgomery County Board of Education.

Starr, who has served as Superintendent since 2011, sought his resignation once it became clear he did not have the support of the majority of the board for a 4-year contract renewal.

"There is much more work to be done; it was my hope to be here to continue that work with our staff, our students, our families and our community," Starr said. "However, I recognize and respect that the board has the right to chose the leader and the direction of the school system."

"A superintedentent is the steward of the community's values as manifested through an elected board of education," he continued. "No superintendent is bigger than the system that she or he leads and I understand and respect this board's desire to have a different leader and a different direction."

Starr's critics say he did a poor job of communicating with members of the Board of Education, did not spell out a clear proposal to close the wide achievement gap between white and minority students, and fumbled the handling of several issues, including a proposal to provide later start times for high school students.