By Adam Pagnucco.
Below are the top ten stories on Montgomery Perspective in August 2025, ranked by page views.
1. Beidleman Appeals His Firing
2. Two Contenders Run for Council District Seats
3. Hidayat to Challenge Luedtke in Council District 7
4. Grading Thomas Taylor, Part Two
5. Grading Thomas Taylor, Part Three
6. Five Findings From the New Maryland NOW Poll
7. Inspector General: MCPS is Failing on Background Checks
8. Grading Thomas Taylor, Part One
9. Grading Thomas Taylor, Part Four
10. Drew Morrison Announces for Council District 1
The clear leader in August was our post about former MCPS principal Joel Beidleman, who unsuccessfully protested his termination for sexual harassment. Beidleman’s promotion and dismissal, along with the following legal, financial and PR consequences, ultimately ended the tenure of Superintendent Monifa McKnight and paved the way for the hire of new Superintendent Thomas Taylor.
Our series on Taylor dominated most of the rest of the month. Taylor is headed for an appearance at the county council along with Inspector General Megan Davey Limarzi this month, with whom he exchanged sharp words over her investigation of problems in MCPS background checks. That will be a big moment for both Taylor and the inspector general, two of the most important officials in county government.
Three other posts relate to the oncoming county elections, a rising story that will shape our next year of writing and many years of county affairs to come. Every election is consequential. But next year will see an open county executive seat along with open seats and/or contested elections for a majority of the county council seats too. It will be yet another era in county politics as whoever claims these seats will set policy in what may be challenging times. I will be paying attention, and I hope you will too.
On to September!