MCPS Chief of District Operations Dana Edwards during a Dec. 2023 school board meeting. Via MCPSTV.
A Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) central office official is on administrative leave.
Chief of District Operations Dana Edwards is on administrative leave as of Wednesday, MCPS Spokesperson Chris Cram confirmed to MCM.
He stated personnel privacy law prohibits him from providing further information. So, it is unknown why Edwards is on leave or if it is related to recent scrutiny around MCPS.
The school system has recently come under the scrutiny of investigations and county leaders surrounding school principal Dr. Joel Beidleman — no longer an MCPS employee — who was promoted despite numerous sexual harassment complaints against him.
Cram told MCM he is not aware of any other personnel actions among MCPS central office employees over the past couple of weeks.
Last week, MCPS Superintendent Dr. Monifa McKnight said school board officers want her to “step away” from her role. In a written statement, she said, “I will defend my reputation.”
Also last week, a report from the county Inspector General’s office concerning MCPS’ review of misconduct allegations determined that the school district “does not have a comprehensive protocol addressing the receipt, evaluation, tracking and disposition of complaints.”
