Monique Felder, who has led Orange County Schools as its superintendent for the last four years, is leaving the role in the next week.
Felder and the district each shared the news on Friday afternoon, with Felder writing a letter to students and families about the parting of ways. She said in the message that the decision comes “based on conversations I have had with the Orange County Board of Education” and that it’s being shared “with a heavy heart.”
“Your focus on equity allowed me to continue the work I have dedicated my career to: making sure that every single student – no matter their background or how they identify– feels safe, accepted, like they belong, and like they have all the tools they need to thrive in school,” Felder wrote in her message. “Orange County Schools has amazing teachers, excellent staff, and caring families. I’ve been blessed to have so much support and partnership for this important mission. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity I have had over the past four school years to serve you, and I am so proud of what we’ve been able to achieve together.”
The school board met on Friday for a specially-called meeting, which included a closed session for personnel actions. Board members voted unanimously to approve a proposed separation agreement with the superintendent discussed in the closed session, which preceded by Felder sharing her message about leaving. The agreement, which stated the separation was mutually agreed-upon, will pay Felder $195,454.32 for severance and an additional $2,600 for health insurance coverage. She had two years remaining on her current contract with the district.
Orange County Schools hired Felder in 2019 after she served as chief academic officer for Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools in Tennessee. At the time, the board listed her extensive research into the Orange County district and the notable improvements to graduation rates and test scores under her leadership at MNPS.
According to data shared by the district on Friday, Felder’s work in Orange County mirrored those achievements. Orange County Schools led North Carolina for the number of schools “exceeding expected growth” in grade-level proficiency for 2021-22 and indicate another year of growth this past academic year. The district also reported a nearly 50 percent increase in AP and IB course enrollments for students of color in the last two academic years and a rise in four-year graduation rates from 84 percent to 90 percent in 2022.
Upon her hiring, Felder said the district’s focus on equity stood out to her as a key attractive element. Her farewell letter as superintendent indicated she’s proud of her efforts to further address equity and urged Orange County Schools to continue examining the root causes of student achievement and following the district’s five-year strategic plan.
“As the district moves into the next chapter, my hope is that the core values that we created together as a learning community will continue to hold true,” Felder wrote on Friday. “Most importantly, that we continue to value diversity and put children first. Each and every student in our district deserves to feel welcome, appreciated, valued, seen, and heard for exactly who they are so they can reach their maximum potential. I want those values to shine as a beacon for everyone in Orange County, regardless of their background or beliefs.”
“It has been the absolute blessing and honor of a lifetime to work alongside you, the Orange County Schools community,” she added. “Thank you for your trust, for your support, and for the hard work you put in to help us grow and succeed as much as we did during our time together. I will continue to be an active, contributing member of this community. I will continue to advocate for equity and public education, and I will remain the district’s biggest cheerleader as I root for our community to use the blueprint we created together to continue our rise.”
During its meeting, the board also voted to approve Jim Merrill as the interim superintendent for the next six months, during which time the district will conduct a national search for Felder’s long-term replacement. Merrill — who is a former Wake County Schools superintendent — will overlap with Felder for “one to two business days” before she leaves effective August 2. According to the contract approved by the board, Orange County Schools will pay Merrill $21,500 per month until a permanent superintendent is hired.
“I count it an honor to be asked to join Orange County Schools in opening the 2023-2024 school year,” Merrill said in a release. “Orange County’s commitment to academic progress for all students is well known in North Carolina. I look forward to collaborating with teachers, support staff, school and district leadership, parents, and community advocates as we help our young people learn and grow.”
The split between Felder and Orange County Schools drew sharp criticism from state Sen. Graig Meyer, who represents Orange County and who has students in the district. Meyer, who has a background in public education and studying student equity, thanked the superintendent for her service and questioned the atmosphere that led to her departure.
“The current [school] board seems to have had it out for Dr. Felder since the last election,” Meyer wrote in an open letter to the elected board members and on his social media pages. “Leading up to that election and afterwards, those who oppose an inclusive, equitable school system have been loud and organized voices. As a reminder to voters, whoever shows up in a local election often determines the outcome – and now we know the outcome.
“The school board has put taxpayers, parents, and students in a terrible position,” the state senator added. “There are more than 20 superintendencies changing hands in North Carolina this summer. On top of whatever buyout the school board has given Dr. Felder, it will be in an extremely competitive market for a replacement and may have to pay someone even more than what her salary has been.”
Hillsborough Mayor Jenn Weaver also shared thanks to the outgoing superintendent, describing Felder’s departure as “a huge loss for our district’s kids.”
Dr. Felder has been an incredible leader for Orange County Schools.I am very sorry to see her go. A huge loss for our district’s kids, including my own. https://t.co/naRPeXIcXn
— Jennifer (Jenn) Weaver (@Jenn_E_Weaver) July 28, 2023
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Standard boiler plate disingenuous white liberal pontifications. Monique will be shuffled on down the road where she will work her magic again. Portland?, Baltimore? Who knows where her lucrative gypsy sinecure road will wind?