Principal Shelton Mooney has announced his decision to resign from his role at Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School (B-CC), effective in the near future. In an email sent to staff, Mooney expressed that stepping down was a personal choice and affirmed his belief that the school’s future would be bright under new leadership.
“This is my personal decision and I know that B-CC will continue to grow as the next chapter for this amazing school is written with new leadership,” Mooney stated. He reflected on his six years in the position, sharing his gratitude and noting it had been a tremendous honor.
Following his resignation, Mooney accepted a position as an assistant principal at James Hubert Blake High School in Silver Spring. This decision came after thoughtful consideration and discussions focused on the best interests of the school community, according to Michael Zarchin, a director in the Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) Division of School Leadership and Improvement.
An earlier communication mistakenly indicated that Mooney would take up an assistant principal position at Albert Einstein High School.
Until a permanent principal is appointed, B-CC Assistant Principal DeBerry Goodwin will serve as the acting principal until August 12. Beginning on that date, Kevin Yates, the former principal of Damascus High School and acting principal of Montgomery Blair High School, will take over the role.
Mooney’s tenure was marked by various challenges, including scrutiny regarding his leadership. In March, the school faced two lockdowns in quick succession, which prompted significant concern from the community regarding safety measures. During a meeting convened by County Councilmember Andrew Friedson, attendees voiced frustrations over the school’s handling of safety issues.
In the wake of these incidents, some staff members rallied in support of Mooney, cautioning against placing blame merely on the principal without addressing the underlying complexities of the situation.
Further complications arose for B-CC when a Montgomery County Circuit Court jury ordered the school board to pay a former teacher $518,000 in a defamation lawsuit. The jury concluded that the board was responsible for defaming the teacher after Mooney sent out an email alleging the teacher had exhibited racist behavior. During the trial, Mooney acknowledged that while he had fabricated part of a quote in that email, he felt it captured the sentiments expressed by students who were present during the incident.
In his farewell message, Mooney highlighted key achievements during his time at B-CC, including improved graduation rates for Emergent Multilingual Learners and a strong focus on student wellness and work-based learning programs. He expressed that every memory from his time at the school would be cherished, calling his tenure one of the greatest blessings of his life.
MCPS spokesperson Liliana López and Mooney both declined to comment further on his resignation. This ongoing situation continues to develop as the school community prepares for a transition in leadership.
image source from：bethesdamagazine
