Montgomery County Public Schools superintendent optimistic heading into new school year

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. (DC News Now) – For many students in the DMV, school is back in session.

Others are getting ready for the start of the academic year; that includes students in Maryland.

For Montgomery County Public School (MCPS) Superintendent Thomas Taylor, there is a lot of excitement as he and others get ready to welcome students. Taylor said the school district has been doing a lot to make it a successful year, and he said that work will continue.

“I’m really excited,” Taylor said. “It’s a delight to be back.”

This is his second year as head of MCPS.

“I have a great deal of optimism looking into this school year,” Taylor said.

With the excitement, Taylor recognizes the challenges.

“There’s a lot of infrastructure needs in MCPS,” he said “You name it, whether it’s major systems like plumbing, HVAC or just classroom cleaning, we get it all done and it’s a lot to do.”

Taylor said a lot of focus has been put on staffing shortages.

“We’re in the high 90s in terms of our fill rate for staffing,” he said. “We still have a few more on the paraprofessional side to fill; we’re in the high 80s in terms of percentage fill rate for our paraprofessionals. We’ve hired a lot of staff.”

From new staff to returning staff, Taylor is looking forward to a great year from them, for students and families.

“This is a great school system that has a lot of folks who are dedicated,” he said, “hard-working people who want to make this community a better place.”