The administrator identified just a few days ago as the top contender to become the next school superintendent in the Montgomery County (Md.) district has withdrawn his candidacy.
Andrew Houlihan, chief academic officer of the Houston Independent School District, took himself out of consideration for the job, according to a statement from school board president Patricia B. O'Neill.
"Dr. Andrew Houlihan informed the Montgomery County Board of Education that he is withdrawing from consideration as superintendent of Montgomery County Public Schools," O'Neill said. "The Board appreciates Dr. Houlihan's interest in the position and wishes him the best of luck in the future. The Board will continue to focus on a search for the next superintendent of schools."
The 154,000-student district is searching for a chief executive to replace Joshua Starr, who resigned in February as Montgomery County's school superintendent.
Houlihan has been with the Houston district since 2010, and has also served as chief human resources officer, chief major projects officer, a school support officer, and elementary school principal.
