Principal of Montgomery Co. ‘smash space’ school to step down

The "smash space" was set up on Kensington Parkwood Elementary's loading dock, according to a letter to parents from its principal. (Courtesy MCPS)

WASHINGTON – Less than a week after apologizing for having set up a “smash space” for teachers, the principal of Kensington Parkwood Elementary School, in Montgomery County, is stepping down.

In a letter to parents, Barbara Liess said “recent events have been a distraction” at the elementary school. She will stay on through the end of the academic year, on June 30.

The “smash space” was set up on Kensington Parkwood Elementary’s loading dock, according to a letter to parents from its principal. (Courtesy MCPS)

The “smash space” was a place on the school’s loading dock for teachers to take out their frustrations on furniture with baseball bats. Leiss wrote to parents last week that she “got the idea after reading some business articles” abut companies doing the same thing. She called it “a lapse in judgment.”

It wasn’t the first controversy Liess ran into while at the school. In January, Liess was named in an ethics complaint over her work as a Realtor, having taken on several employees as clients. Liess gave up her Realtor’s license after getting complaints about her work outside the school.

 

Liess Letter by wtopweb on Scribd

Kate Ryan

As a member of the award-winning WTOP News, Kate is focused on state and local government. Her focus has always been on how decisions made in a council chamber or state house affect your house. She's also covered breaking news, education and more.

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