By Ketki Chauhan ’16

Washington Post reports that Montgomery County has begun its search for a new superintendent after former superintendent Dr. Joshua Starr resigned on February 3. Starr’s resignation is effective February 16, but he will receive pay until the end of his contract, on June 30. The Board of Education unanimously chose Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates to lead the searches for applicants. This company has served the county in the past when former superintendent Jerry Weast was hired and when Starr was hired.

The board hopes to find a new superintendent before July 1, the date which the new superintendent swears in. Usually, the search takes 10 months to conduct but with the resignation this month, the board has about four months to replace Starr.

Student Member of the Board Dahlia Huh and other board members have stated that community input is very important, including input from students about the qualities they would like to see in a new Superintendent. To receive input, the board may release surveys and form focus groups to ensure a quality Superintendent.