The school board for Prince George's County, Maryland, has appointed an acting CEO to replace Dr. Kevin Maxwell.
Dr. Monica Goldson will take the temporary role, the Board of Education announced Thursday night.
Goldson is the Deputy Superintendent for Teaching and Learning at Prince George's County Public Schools.
County Executive Rushern Baker will appoint the interim CEO "in the very near future," the school system said in a release.
In May, Maxwell told News4 he was preparing to leave the school system at the end of the school year.
The school board voted Thursday night in favor of a $790,000 settlement to end Maxwell's contract early.
"The terms of his departure include compensation in the amount of $600,400; leave in the amount of $39,500; health benefits in the amount of $23,700; and deferred compensation in the amount of $126,400," the release said.
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Maxwell's five-year tenure has been plagued with scandal, accusations and calls for his resignation, including from Gov. Larry Hogan and candidates for Prince George's County executive.
"I think it's become a pretty big distraction for what we should be focused on, which is our children and their education and their success," Maxwell said.
Maxwell entered the Prince George's County Public Schools system in the third grade. He completed his education in the county at the University of Maryland.
He was a teacher and principal in Prince George's County before becoming superintendent in Anne Arundel County. He never moved out of his Bowie neighborhood.
When he returned to lead PGCPS, he was among the nation's final four for superintendent of the year.
Under Maxwell's leadership, Prince George's County Public Schools are expanding all day pre-kindergarten, have the largest arts integration program in the state, have built two international high schools, have expanded immersion school and have spent $100 million in teacher salary increases.
But the school system has also had headline-making problems. Soon after Maxwell's return, a school volunteer was charged with videotaping and sexually assaulting dozens of elementary school students. Hundreds of staff members were placed on administrative leave, creating a culture of fear for many teachers and principals.
Then the school system turned on its leader with accusations of unjustified and sizable salary increases for central office staff. Teachers and principals protested.
There was also a grade-changing scandal and the loss of federal Head Start grant money.
What's happened with the school district may be the biggest challenge for County Executive Rushern Baker in his campaign for governor.
“To just look at this five years and not look at the time before that and the things that were happening in Prince George’s County and the turnover, Mr. Baker took a stand,” Maxwell said.
