Minus resigns as Sherwood principal after two years at Warrior helm

by Terri Hogan

Senior Staff Writer

The 2020-2021 school year will begin without Dr. Eric Minus, who resigned as principal of Sherwood High School to accept another job.

Minus, who began his tenure as principal at the beginning of the 2018-2019 school year, on June 23 sent a letter to parents, guardians and students, as well as staff, announcing his resignation, effective July 15.

He will become the executive director of Research and Data Analytics for Baltimore County Public Schools.

In his letter to the Sherwood community, Minus says he is “grateful for the opportunity provided by this great school district, and for the mentors and friends that have supported and prepared me for the next chapter of my career.”

Several attempts to reach Minus for comment by press time were unsuccessful.

“Dr. Minus brought great energy and direction to Sherwood High School with his focus on ACEU&I (Achievement, Civility, Engagement, Unity and Integrity) and ‘One Sherwood,’” said incoming PTSA president Khristy Kartsakalis and outgoing president Randall MacGill. “We wish Dr. Minus the best in his new position and he will be a great leader and advocate for education in any organization.”

They said that with Minus’ resignation and the sudden recent death of Assistant Principal Kathlyn Carroll, there is a 40 percent loss of administrative leadership at the school.

Carroll, 67, died June 24 and was mourned by the Sherwood community.

“Next year will likely be a transition year,” MacGill and Kartsakalis said. “However, the PTSA remains committed to working with the school to support our students, staff and community to make Sherwood the best school that supports everyone.”

MacGill said that while he was certain the process to appoint a new principal was in motion, he did not know where it stood at press time.

“It is not without precedent to fill a principal position with short notice,” he said.

MacGill said when William Gregory resigned as principal in 2018, “there was an opportunity for a lot of input by the community and PTSA. How this will work with short notice is not known.”

Minus is a graduate of Montgomery Blair High School in Silver Spring and began his

teaching career in Newport News, Va., before moving to Montgomery County Public

Schools, where he served in several positions for 19 years.

Minus earned a Doctor of Education, Administration and Policy Studies from The George Washington University, Washington, D.C., in 2010; a Master of Science in Community Health/Long-Term Care Administration from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Va., in 1997; and a Bachelor of Arts in biology from Hampton University in Hampton, Va., in 1994.

“Thank you for allowing me to be part of this journey by serving as your principal,” he says in his letter to parents, guardians and students. “My hope is that I have inspired, motivated and compelled staff, students and the community to view Sherwood High School as a premier school known for ensuring equity for all students, promoting a culture of excellence, actively working to close the achievement gap, and addressing the social and emotional fi