Montgomery Public Schools Official Resigned

Interim chief of staff Barbara Patrick-Lashley has stepped down from her position at the district.

Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in People

Isometric editorial illustration of a stylized administrative office building, representing institutional structure and organizational change. — Interim chief of staff Barbara Patrick-Lashley has resigned from Montgomery Public Schools, adding to a series of recent leadership departures within the district administration. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Montgomery Public Schools confirmed on Monday that interim chief of staff Barbara Patrick-Lashley has resigned from her role. Her departure follows recent resignations from other senior leadership staff within the district.

Why it matters

The resignation marks another change in the administrative leadership team at Montgomery Public Schools. It follows the exits of two other key officials, reflecting a period of transition for the district's executive staff.

The district confirmed the resignation of the interim chief of staff following the earlier departures of associate superintendent Ozella Ford and chief technology officer Mike Powell. The exact number of total leadership vacancies remains under review by the district.

The players

Barbara Patrick-Lashley

She served as the interim chief of staff for the Montgomery Public Schools district.

Montgomery Public Schools

This is the primary public school district serving the city of Montgomery, Alabama.

Ozella Ford

She previously served as the associate superintendent of human resources for the district.

Mike Powell

He formerly held the position of chief technology officer for the district.

The details

Barbara Patrick-Lashley officially submitted her resignation last week after serving in the interim capacity since November 2025. Her exit continues a trend of executive personnel changes, joining the recent departures of human resources associate superintendent Ozella Ford and chief technology officer Mike Powell.

November 2025: Barbara Patrick-Lashley was hired as interim chief of staff.
August 2026: Chief technology officer Mike Powell resigned from his position.
Last week: Barbara Patrick-Lashley submitted her resignation.
October 5, 2026: Montgomery Public Schools confirmed the resignation.

Market Landscape

This departure aligns with a broader trend of executive leadership instability currently impacting the local school district administration. These personnel shifts reflect a wider pattern of turnover among senior district officials in the region.

The frequent turnover in the superintendent and chief of staff offices can lead to delays in district policy implementation and administrative decision-making. Residents should monitor future school board meetings for updates on how these vacancies may affect school operations.

The takeaway

Maintaining consistent executive leadership is essential for the operational stability of a large public school system. The district will likely need to prioritize long-term appointments to ensure continuity in its administrative processes.