Montgomery County Schools Overhaul Leadership, Cut 81 Positions

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. — The Montgomery County Board of Education unanimously approved a sweeping reorganization of Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) leadership Tuesday, appointing eight new high-level administrators and eliminating 81 positions. The restructuring, spearheaded by Superintendent Thomas Taylor, aims to streamline operations and reallocate resources.

The new appointments include chiefs of school leadership, talent management, student support, equity and development, technology, academics, operations, and general counsel. All positions, with annual salaries of $249,322, will begin July 1, 2026, the start of fiscal year 2026. The restructuring replaces or redefines several existing roles, including chief academic officer, chief of human resources and development, chief of district operations, and chief of strategic initiatives.

Peggy Pugh, the current chief academic officer, announced her retirement after 30 years in Maryland public education. “After three decades of service, I am ready to step down and allow new leadership to guide MCPS into its next chapter,” Pugh said in an email to Bethesda Today.

Other current leaders, including April Key (chief of human resources and development), Dana Edwards (chief of district operations), Stephanie Williams (general counsel), and Stephanie Sheron (chief of strategic initiatives), did not immediately respond to requests for comment about their future roles within the district.

Taylor emphasized that the reorganization is designed to improve efficiency and better serve students. “By reassigning responsibilities and reducing redundancies, we can focus resources where they are needed most,” he said Thursday. The restructuring comes as MCPS faces budget challenges, including a 54% increase in spending on textbooks and instructional supplies, driven by expenses such as curriculum licenses and Chromebook repairs.

According to budget documents, MCPS plans to allocate $11.8 million for elementary school curriculum materials and $3.7 million for Chromebook repairs. “These investments are critical to ensuring our students have access to up-to-date resources and technology,” Taylor added.

The school board and county council are expected to review the budget and restructuring plan in detail, with a focus on justifying the significant increase in instructional spending. The changes mark one of the most substantial overhauls of MCPS leadership in recent years.