Baltimore County Superintendent Darryl L. Williams Will Not Seek Another Term

BALTIMORE COUNTY - Baltimore County Public Schools Superintendent Darryl L. Williams announced Monday that he will not seek another four-year term.

Williams' announcement was released only one day before the school board was scheduled to meet and conduct a work session on Williams' proposed operating budget for fiscal year 2024. The superintendent had a deadline of February 1 to tell the board whether he planned to seek another term. His contract will expire on June 30.

Criticism from community activist groups, including the Randallstown chapter of the NAACP and the Baltimore County Parent and Student Coalition, spurred his departure. BCPSC recently held a no-confidence vote for Williams, citing a lack of leadership skills and disrespect toward members of the Board of Education, district staff, and parents.

In his statement, Williams thanked Baltimore County for its support and said he was proud of the work he did during his time as superintendent.

"It has been an honor to serve as superintendent of Baltimore County Public Schools, and I thank the Board of Education of Baltimore County for the opportunity to lead this incredible system," Williams said. "I am very proud of the work we have done together to raise the bar, close gaps, and prepare our students to thrive in their future, despite the many challenges our system has faced. I am very grateful for Team BCPS teachers and staff who strive to provide our students with a world-class education; for our students whose unique lived experiences inspire and encourage me; and for our families and communities that partner with us to ensure our students can meet their highest potential."

Williams was appointed in 2019 and was immediately thrust into controversy involving pandemic procedures and a Cyber attack that interrupted virtual instruction. The cyber attack halted classes for several days, as around 115,000 students were attending class virtually during the pandemic.

The superintendent has also routinely criticized for lack of transparency in budget matters. In June of 2022, the Baltimore County Council sent a letter to the president of the Board of Education, decrying Williams' tenure and seeking a new superintendent search.

Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski released a statement calling on the Board of Education to conduct an exhaustive search for a new superintendent.

"As a BCPS parent, former teacher, and County Executive, public education will always remain my top priority. I thank Superintendent Williams for his years of service and wish him well in his future endeavors," Olszewski said. "I trust that the Board of Education will conduct an exhaustive search to identify a visionary, inclusive, and results-driven leader to help ensure stronger futures for all our kids—they deserve nothing less. In the years ahead, we look forward to continue building a collaborative relationship with BCPS leadership so that we can tackle our shared challenges and provide a world-class education for every student across Baltimore County.