This story, originally published at 9:55 a.m. July 10, 2024, was updated at 3:30 p.m. to reflect that details of Thomas Taylor’s contract with MCPS were first reported by local blog Montgomery Perspective.
Thomas Taylor’s four-year term as the new superintendent of Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) started July 1 — and along with it came a $360,000 annual salary, according to Taylor’s contract with the district.
Taylor, the former superintendent of Stafford County Public Schools in Virginia, was appointed by the county school board at the end of June.
Taylor is filling the top administrative seat in the county public school system after the former superintendent, Monifa McKnight, resigned in February. McKnight left after signing a separation agreement with the county following criticisms over the district’s handling of sexual harassment allegations against a former principal. According to MCPS, McKnight was to receive a total of $1.3 million from the district.
Taylor’s annual salary of $360,000 represents a 12.5% increase – or $40,000 – over McKnight’s starting salary of $320,000, according to her contract when she was appointed in 2022. His salary is also $17,400 more than McKnight was slated to receive in 2024 before her resignation. Local blog Montgomery Perspective first reported the details about Taylor’s contract.
While his salary won’t increase during the 2024-25 school year, Taylor will receive any salary percentage increase given to members of the Montgomery County Association of Administrators and Principals every other year. The board can also increase Taylor’s pay after a salary and performance review, according to his contract.
As the superintendent, Taylor will also receive 13% of his base salary in deferred compensation every year — more than $46,000 based on his current salary. The board will cover annual insurance premiums for Taylor and his family, unlike under McKnight’s contract, which allowed her to select plans at the same costs and terms as other MCPS employees.
In another difference from his predecessor’s contract, Taylor’s contract further expands on how his performance will be evaluated and his expected relationship with the board, including a section requiring Taylor to meet with the board within the first three months on the job.
“The Superintendent agrees to meet with the Board within his first ninety (90) days of employment to establish communication protocols, discuss and set goals and expectations,” the contract states.
Within the next 90 days following that first session, the board and superintendent must conduct a mid-year progress update and hold quarterly meetings for the rest of Taylor’s term.
The contract outlines the board’s agreement to share any concerns about Taylor’s performance with him, and the superintendent agrees to bring criticism, complaints and suggestions brought to his attention to the board as appropriate.
The superintendent and board must also meet in the last year of his term to discuss his reappointment.
According to the contract, Taylor must establish residency within Montgomery County by Aug. 1. The board will pay relocation costs up to $25,000 if he asks for three bids for a moving contract and selects the lowest one. The board is also covering the costs for temporary housing for Taylor and his family for up to six months, not to exceed $4,000 a month.
Like previous superintendents, Taylor will receive an MCPS-owned vehicle for school district purposes during his term, which runs from July 1 to June 30, 2028. The board will also cover the cost of gas, insurance, maintenance and repairs for the vehicle.
Taylor will receive 30 days of annual leave and 15 personal or sick days. He can carry over unused annual leave from year to year, cashing in only 50% of his accrued but unused annual leave a year.
Taylor has nearly 25 years of experience in public education, including six as a superintendent. He holds a doctorate in education from the University of Virginia and a business administration master’s from the College of William and Mary.
He graduated from Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School in 1996 and attended Somerset Elementary and Westland Middle School, which was then known as Westland Intermediate School.
In a June interview with MoCo360, Taylor called the MCPS superintendent position a “drop everything job” due to his affinity for his home district.
