The MCPS Board of Education appoints Dr. Monique Felder as MCPS’ new interim superintendent

On Tues., Feb. 6, the MCPS Board of Education unanimously elected to appoint Dr. Monique Felder as interim superintendent. She will lead the school system until the end of this school year. 

She most recently served as the superintendent of Orange County Public Schools in North Carolina. Under her leadership, graduation rates for Black students improved from 84 percent during the 2018-19 school year to 93 percent in the 2021-22 school year. Her career spans 32 years and a diverse range of classroom and administrative positions.

Felder began her education career in Montgomery County in 1991. Starting as a classroom teacher at Poolesville and Cedar Grove elementary schools, she quickly progressed to an administrative position at Beall Elementary School as assistant principal. In 1999, she became principal of Watkins Mill Elementary School and stayed in that position until 2006. She moved on to MCPS central offices and served as Director of Interventions before leaving for Prince George’s County in 2014. 

In a letter to the Montgomery County community, Felder addressed her goals for the year. “In my role as the interim superintendent, my primary focus is to create stability for our district. I aim to provide consistency for our staff, students, and families and to ensure a smooth transition for the next superintendent,” she said.  

The resignation of former superintendent Monifa McKnight amidst her administration's reported mishandling of widespread sexual assault allegations against former Farquhar Middle School principal Joel Bidelman sparked this sudden shift in leadership. 

The teacher’s union is confident in Felder’s ability. In a recent letter, they emphasize solidarity with MCPS leadership. “We’ve worked with Dr. Felder in the past and are optimistic that she will be the leader we need to bring us all together for the work that lies ahead,” the union states.