Springbrook High principal on leave at start of school year 

Announcement comes more than a year after staff alleged bullying, retaliation

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August 13, 2026 5:45 p.m.

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The principal of Springbrook High School is on leave, more than a year after teachers raised concerns in a letter about alleged bullying and retaliation from the principal at the Silver Spring school, according to a Tuesday letter from a Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) director. 

“Principal Stephanie Valentine is currently on leave,” the letter to Springbrook families from Jewel Sanders, a director in the division of school leadership and improvement, said. “As full preparations are underway for the opening of school, it is essential that Springbrook continues to move forward with strong leadership and a clear commitment to its vision and goals.” 

The letter did not say why Valentine is on leave. When asked, MCPS spokesperson Liliana López said the only information she could share was the information in the letter from Sanders, due to the principal’s leave being a personnel matter.  

The announcement comes more than one year after a group of teachers at Springbrook High raised concerns about Valentine allegedly bullying and retaliating against staff in March and April 2025. 

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A letter written by several Springbrook High staff members was sent to MCPS administrators, school board members and others in March 2025 with the aim of bringing “to your attention the very harmful workplace culture at Springbrook High School that has been fostered under the leadership of Principal Stephanie Valentine,” the letter said. “Over time, a pattern of bullying, intimidation and unprofessional behavior has developed, creating a toxic work environment that significantly affects the morale and well-being of the staff.” 

The letter outlined several concerns about Valentine’s behavior, including “aggressive communication and bullying,” retaliation against staff, abuse of power, inappropriate nicknames and a lack of clear communication.   

“Valentine has been known to suspend students verbally, use the suspension as a threat to the student — and then excuse or not document the suspension at all,” the letter said. 

At the time, Valentine told staff in an email that listening sessions would be held at the school to develop “action plans to improve school climate and culture.”  

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Valentine sent an email to Springbrook staff in March 2025 that said “a number of important school climate concerns” were brought to her attention. According to the email, the school’s leadership team met March 25 and began reviewing the concerns and hearing from staff. Valentine said she held another meeting March 27 to discuss climate and culture concerns.    

Valentine has served as the principal of Springbrook High since 2022, according to a  school board document from that time. Valentine was the principal of Eastern Middle School in Silver Spring from 2021 to 2022, principal intern at Westland Middle School in Bethesda from 2020 to 2021 and as assistant principal of Francis Scott Key Middle School in Silver Spring from 2016 to 2020, according to the board document.   

According to the letter from Sanders, Assistant Principal Nicole Brown will serve as acting principal and her leadership would “ensure stability and support for students and staff.” 

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Originally published at Bethesdamagazine