Montgomery Co. Names New Schools Superintendent

ROCKVILLE, Md. (AP) -- Montgomery County schools officials have named the head of a small school district in Connecticut as their new superintendent.

The school board on Monday chose Joshua Starr as their replacement for Superintendent Jerry Weast, who is leaving in June after a dozen years as head of Maryland's largest school system.

Starr, 41, has presided over the Stamford, Conn., school system since 2005. Stamford has 15,000 students in 20 schools -- roughly one-tenth the enrollment of Montgomery County.

Before working in Stamford, Starr helped guide reforms in early childhood education and gifted and talented education in the New York City school district.

Starr's appointment in Montgomery County is contingent on the completion of contract negotiations and approval of Maryland's state superintendent.

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