Abby Whitt
Contributing writer
Superintendent Dr. Bernard F. Bragen, Jr. announced his resignation from Montgomery County Public Schools on Friday, July 11, to take effect Aug. 30.
The school board publicly accepted his resignation shortly after Bragen announced his plans to school faculty and staff in a letter July 11.
“I am writing to share with you that I have formally submitted my resignation as Superintendent, he wrote. “This decision was not made lightly. Over the past several years, it has been my honor to serve this incredible community and work with a dedicated team of educators and staff who put students first every day.”
“However, being nearly 500 miles from my family has been more difficult than I anticipated, and after much reflection, I have made the personal decision to step away to be closer to my loved ones,” he continued. “There is much to be proud of in Montgomery County Public Schools, and at the heart of our success is the strong partnership between our schools, families, and community. I have been inspired by the care, involvement, and support shown by parents and guardians throughout my time here, and I am deeply grateful for the trust you have placed in our school system. In the weeks ahead, I will work closely with the school board and leadership team to ensure a smooth and thoughtful transition. I am fully committed to maintaining continuity and supporting the district’s ongoing progress. Thank you for the opportunity to serve this wonderful community. I am confident that the future of MCPS is bright, and I will always take pride in having been a part of it.”
Bragen, who is from New Jersey, started his journey with MCPS in December 2022
“The school board is thankful for Dr. Bragen’s dedicated service to our students, staff, and community,” MCPS School Board Chair Linwood Hudson said in a statement. “He has made MCPS a better place, and while he will be greatly missed, we respect his desire to be closer to his family.”
“There is much to be proud of in Montgomery County Public Schools, and at the heart of our success is the strong partnership between our schools, families, and community,” Bragen said in the MCPS statement. “It has been my honor to serve this incredible community and work with a dedicated team of educators and staff who put students first every day.”
Hudson said the Board’s “top priority” now becomes finding an interim superintendent and starting the process of finding a permanent successor.
“More information will be made available in the coming weeks,” he said.
