In early December 2025, MCPS reported that its chief talent management officer and head of human resources (HR), Kaylan Connally, no longer worked for the district. MCPS has not released any additional details about Connally’s departure, including whether it was voluntary or the result of an internal change. Despite this, the MCPS HR department head has very significant responsibilities as it oversees hiring, background checks and employee screening. As of now, MCPS has not hired a replacement or interim manager for the position. For many teachers, including WCHS math teacher Corinne Aghion, it has caused confusion over the reason for Connally’s departure.
“I wish we were given more details about what happened,” Aghion said. “I still do not know if she was fired or if she stepped down on her own, and that creates confusion among staff when we do not know the reasons behind decisions from higher-ups.”
Connally worked as the head of HR for six months, and during that time, she led the process of updating background checks for staff. The push to update background checks was not from MCPS itself, but rather from the Montgomery County Office of the Inspector General. The Inspector General conducts investigations of county agencies, including MCPS. The office had found that nearly 5,000 employees had not completed Child Protective Services checks, and thousands more had outdated criminal history screenings…