Montgomery County school board members Rebecca Smondrowski and Michael Durso declined Thursday during a televised interview to talk in detail about the decision-making that led to a parting of ways with county schools superintendent Joshua Starr.
The interview aired on Montgomery Municipal Cable’s Political Pulse and was moderated by Charles Duffy.
Starr and the board reached an agreement last week allowing him to resign Feb. 16, and collect the additional $97,100 and other benefits he would have been paid had he left when his contract was scheduled to end June 30. Starr is leaving after 3 ½ years at the helm of Montgomery County Public Schools. As part of the agreement, board members and Starr agreed not to disparage each other.
Duffy asked the pair whether they were two of a faction of four members who were against renewing Starr’s contract, as Bethesda Beat reported.
“We never actually ended up taking a vote,” Smondrowski said. “Dr. Starr decided to not request another term.”
She added, “I know there are a lot of people who would like us to put out sort of a laundry list of issues, that’s just not how it was. We are just going to try to do everything we can to do the very best we can for our students and the county.”
Duffy asked Durso about a Washington Post column by Valerie Strauss that called on the publicly elected board members to give “a candid and detailed explanation” about why they parted ways with Starr.
Rather than answer the question directly, Durso asked if the Post would report all the details about Strauss if she were let go or fired by the paper.
“It was and is a personnel issue,” Durso said. “I guess it’s unfortunate that some see it as an impasse, but to really go into the speculation about the speculation, I just don’t think it’s helpful.”
Duffy also asked the two board members what qualities they’re seeking in a new superintendent.
“I want someone who is going to be a very strong leader,” Smondrowski said. “Someone who is going to be passionate about Montgomery County, this is a fantastic place and we have incredible people… it will be important to me that whoever comes here is passionate about being here.”
Durso said the top qualities he’s looking for in a new superintendent would be “someone who is a communicator, who is a leader, who understands how local schools work, who understands the central office [and] someone who will learn the complexity of the county.”
Smondrowski also said the process to find the new superintendent has transparency limits. She said it’s important for candidates to be able to interview for the position without jeopardizing their current jobs.
