Chief of Staff

Dr. Sarah Sirgo is the Chief of Staff for Frederick County Public Schools. She oversees:

• Human Resources
• Public Affairs
• Blueprint for Maryland's Future

Education: Dr. Sirgo earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in hearing and speech sciences and Masters degree in speech language pathology from the University of Maryland, College Park. She also earned her administrative and supervisory certificate from John Hopkins University and holds a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in organizational leadership and policy studies, also from the University of Maryland College Park.

Background: Dr. Sirgo is a lifelong educator with more than 25 years of experience in public education. A proud Maryland native, she spent 23 years with Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) before joining Frederick County Public Schools (FCPS) in August 2022 as Chief of Staff.

Throughout her career, Dr. Sirgo has remained deeply committed to organizational excellence and leadership development. She began her professional journey as a special educator and went on to serve in a range of school-based and district leadership roles, including elementary principal, consulting principal, and director of schools. Her leadership has been nationally recognized, earning her awards such as Principal of the Year from the National Board Teacher Network and recognition from the Council for Exceptional Children for advancing inclusive practices and student outcomes for learners with disabilities.

Currently, as Chief of Staff for FCPS, Dr. Sirgo serves as the senior advisor to the Superintendent and a member of the Superintendent’s Cabinet. She leads several strategic initiatives, including serving as liaison to the Board of Education, facilitating engagement with state and local elected officials, overseeing districtwide strategic planning, and coordinating implementation of the Maryland Blueprint—a landmark 10-year, multi-billion dollar investment in public education. She also provides executive oversight for the Public Affairs and Human Resources Departments, encompassing communications, media relations, publications, hiring, benefits, labor relations, certification, and compliance.

In addition to her public education leadership work, Dr. Sirgo teaches in the doctoral program at Bowie State University, where she supports future leaders in the areas of interdisciplinary leadership, human resources, change management, strategic planning, and dissertation advisement.

Leadership Belief: Trust, respect, and genuine connection are the foundation for strong teams and thriving school communities. When people feel seen, heard, and have opportunities to give input into decisions that affect their work, they are empowered to do their best—and that’s when meaningful and lasting progress becomes possible.

• I believe that excellence is not achieved by systems alone—it’s driven by the people within them. That’s why I am committed to building strong, responsive structures that support clarity, collaboration, and meaningful impact, while staying grounded in creating the conditions for others to thrive.
• I believe that how we do the work matters as much as the work itself. Integrity of process—how we make decisions, how we communicate, how we follow through—builds trust and reflects our values in action. Consistency, transparency, clear communication, and follow-through are essential to achieving outcomes we can stand behind.
• I believe that care for people is at the heart of culture and excellence. How we treat one another, especially in moments of challenge, defines the strength of our organization. A culture of care is not soft—it’s strategic. It builds loyalty, encourages innovation, and fosters environments where both adults and students can thrive.
• I believe that systems, when thoughtfully designed and led with purpose, make excellence sustainable. Transparent decision-making, responsive change, and a commitment to continuous improvement ensure that our values are not just spoken—they are lived.

Above all, I believe that leadership is a responsibility to serve with integrity. I am committed to listening deeply, leading with humility, and ensuring that our work reflects the trust placed in us by our students, staff, and families.

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