The superintendent of Maryland's largest school district has announced his retirement, effective in June.
In a letter to district employees, Montgomery County School Superintendent Jack Smith said he would be moving to Maine to help care for his 2-year-old grandson, who underwent open heart surgery in 2019.
":Given his health needs, our family’s circumstances are not going to change for at least the next few years," Smith wrote. "I need to join [my wife] in Maine as I find I can no longer tolerate living most of the time separately."
Smith has led the 160,000-student district since 2016.
"I have loved my time in Montgomery County Public Schools and have no desire to leave," his letter states. "The staff in the school system is among the most talented and dedicated in this country. The work we have done together around the equity accountability framework, the allocation of resources, student well-being, upgrades to current technology, our expansion of pre-K and language programs are among a host of system improvements that I am so happy to have been involved with."
Montgomery County's school board wished Smith well in his retirement.
“Dr. Smith has been an unwavering champion for Montgomery County Public Schools,” says Board President Brenda Wolff. “He has helped guide the school system through very turbulent times with a deep commitment to our students, staff, families and community. We thank him for his service and wish him well in his well-deserved retirement.”
Prior to his appointment in Montgomery County, Smith served as Maryland's interim state school superintendent.
VIDEO: Smith's announcement.
