Blair principal Johnson announces retirement

Johnson and John Kerry

Photo: Blair principal Renay Johnson announced she will retire at the end of the semester.

Blair principal Renay Johnson announced she will retire at the end of the semester.

In a Jan. 29 letter to the Blair community, Principal Renay Johnson announced she will retire from MCPS at the end of the school year. Johnson has spent 33 years as part of Montgomery County Public Schools, including 5 years as the principal of Takoma Park Middle School.

"It has been an incredible honor to serve the Blair community and lead such a remarkable school which proudly holds the title of the largest enrolled high school in Maryland… It has been a pleasure witnessing our Blazers’ growth. I have delighted in proudly posting our Blazers’ accomplishments on social media for our community to cheer and enjoy," Johnson said.

In her 13-year tenure as Blair principal, Johnson was awarded Montgomery County Public School Outstanding Principal of the Year by The National Board of Certified Teachers in 2014 and named Distinguished Educational Leader for Montgomery County by the Washington Post. Since taking on Blair's principal position in 2013, Johnson has guided the school through the integration of Chromebooks into everyday classes, the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent reopening, and the youth fentanyl crisis. She is also the first woman to serve as principal of Montgomery Blair High School in its 99-year history.

This year's graduation will be Johnson's last. "I look forward to graduating my last group of Blair seniors, the remarkable Class of 2024, on Wednesday, May 29… I look forward to my last semester as the PROUD BLAIR PRINCIPAL, and enjoying our Blazers’ activities, awards ceremonies, concerts, prom, and graduation," she said.

The process to find a new Blair principal will begin in February. MCPS Director Sean McGee of the Office of School Support and Well-Being will work with the PTSA to select the next Blair principal.

View the full letter here.