Eight months ago, in early January when MCPS announced a snow day, they did so in the form of not only their usual website and email announcements — but also a music video. In April, MCPS posted a spring break welcome back video on their channel. And, just three weeks ago, MCPS released yet another music video for the first day of school. The protagonist in these catchy videos? None other than Superintendent Dr. Thomas W. Taylor.

Taylor started his term as superintendent on July 1, 2024, replacing former Superintendent Dr. Monifa McKnight after she resigned from her role following MCPS’ handling of sexual assault allegations against former Paint Branch High School Principal Joel Beidelman. According to the MCPS website, Taylor has over 25 years of experience in public school education, including as superintendent in Stafford County Public Schools in Virginia, and is also an MCPS alum.

Both this past and current school years have introduced changes to the school system; new boundary studies, budgeting, personal mobile device restrictions, grading policies and even restructuring of MCPS’ Central Office have been impacting schools across the county. Taylor and the Board of Education have been at the forefront of passing and implementing these changes, causing polarizing opinions from students, staff and community members alike.

This school system is not perfect. In fact, on Aug. 4, the office of Montgomery County Inspector General Megan Davey Limarzi published a report citing that “MCPS has more than 12,000 current employees who have outdated criminal history checks and approximately 4,900 individuals that have not undergone a CPS check and may have access to children.”

These issues are incredibly concerning and there is no excuse for these numbers. Taylor responded to the report stating that there was a lack of accuracy and transparency. However, Taylor also took full accountability and responsibility and issued an MCPS action plan, which are steps in the right direction.

Before the Aug. 4 Inspector General report was released, Adam Pagnucco, founder and writer of the Montgomery Perspective, published a five-part article series titled “Grading Thomas Taylor.” Pagnucco reached out to his source network of current and former elected officials in the county, and asked them to give Taylor a grade. “Dr. Taylor is a consequential figure in MCPS’s recent history. Given the school system’s recent challenges, its boundary study, its academic program analysis and its large budget increase this year, it was a good time to assess the start of Dr. Taylor’s tenure,” Pagnucco said.

Pagnucco’s source network grades for Taylor varied from A+ to C-, but it was interesting to see how even people who gave a grade of a C- were hopeful about the future of the county. Taylor is not perfect, but I believe he is ready to listen and dedicate time to changing our school system for the better.

While these grades came from Montgomery County community members, it is equally, if not more important, that we as students care about what our superintendent is doing, especially given how big of a role MCPS plays in the county. “I’m the parent of an MCPS student. The nature of the education that students receive at MCPS is a crucial determinant of their future quality of living. For other members of the community, MCPS is a key institution for the welfare of the county. As goes MCPS, so goes MoCo,” Pagnucco said.

As for Taylor’s flamboyant music videos? I think they give a clear glimpse into his benevolent personality, and it seems as if he is more than willing to get involved with MCPS students and community members, especially as the school system faces immense challenges.

Not everyone agrees with the new grading policy and not everyone agrees with MCPS’ budget allocations. But, because it is so early in Dr. Taylor’s tenure, it is important to remain hopeful that these changes will only bring great progress — especially for us as students.