Mohammed Choudhury will step down as Maryland’s superintendent of schools Friday and work in an advisory role while the state’s education department and its board search for a new leader.
An interim superintendent will be named this month, the department said in a news release.
In an about-face decision, Choudhury said in September that he would not seek a contract renewal. The superintendent had previously told the Maryland State Board of Education in a letter that he hoped to stay.
Whether Choudhury will resign or continue to work as superintendent until his contract expires in June 2024 was unclear until Friday. In a joint statement, the state education department and board said Choudhury will resign and instead work as a senior adviser to the board on “policy and strategy matters,” starting Saturday through June.
As an adviser, Choudhury will provide guidance and recommendations to the board on “crucial policy issues” related to the implementation of the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, the state’s public education reform plan that costs billions, as well as strategic plans for both the state board and education department, among other priorities.
A five-page transition agreement was signed Wednesday by Choudhury and Clarence Crawford, president of the board.
“Choudhury successfully led the State through phase one of the transformation of Maryland’s education system, which included rebuilding [Maryland State Department of Education] for the Blueprint era, accelerating improvements in reading proficiency rates, and launching innovative programs to chart the course for a successful future,” the state board and education department said in the statement.
Choudhury was hired in July 2021 to roll out the reform plan. He was accused of creating a toxic workplace by some former employees this year.
As Maryland enters the next phase of the transition, education officials will “sustain the laser-like focus on improving outcomes for all students” by partnering with “key stakeholders to further the policy goals of the Blueprint and the Strategic Plan,” the statement continues.
The board said it hasn’t yet selected a search firm to recruit candidates for the superintendent position.
