ROCKVILLE, Md. — A months-long investigation into Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) details years-long issues in the way the school system handles employee complaints – including sexual harassment accusations.
This is the third and last report released by the Montgomery County Inspector General following sexual harassment allegations against former Farquhar Middle School Principal Dr. Joel Beidleman.
On Wednesday, an MCPS spokesperson confirmed that Dr. Joel Beidleman is no longer an employee at the school system. "Personnel privacy law prohibits me from providing any more information," he added.
The recent report is based on the findings of the Office of the Inspector General after reviewing how MCPS and their Department of Compliance and Investigations (DCI) handle and investigate processes as they relate to allegations of misconduct by an employee. The latest findings did not review the allegations against Beidleman.
However the investigation does stem from the case of the former Farquhar Middle School principal. Dr. Joel Beidleman who was promoted to Paint Branch High School Principal despite years of bullying, sexual harassment and a toxic culture according to an OIG report released last month.
Investigators used a sample of 82 case files to conduct their study that last between September and December of 2023.
There is speculation that the Board of Education is calling for Superintendent Dr. Monifa McKnight's resignation due to the investigation into Beidleman, but the board says they can't discuss the matter.
The report found, in part, the following:
Report Findings
- MCPS does not have a comprehensive protocol addressing the receipt, evaluation, tracking and disposition of complaints.
- [MCPS's Department of Compliance and Investigations] does not follow defined criteria when determining what actions to take with complaints.
- DCI does not have comprehensive policies for conducting and documenting investigations.
- Electronic case files lacked evidence that DCI consistently followed sound investigative practices.
- Previously identified deficiencies have not been addressed.
Report Recommendations
- Implement comprehensive policies and procedures regarding the receipt and processing of complaints.
- Formalize procedures and criteria for assessing complaints and making disposition decisions.
- Implement comprehensive policies and procedures that address conducting and documenting DCI investigations.
- Evaluate DCI's role, assess staffing and training needs, and implement stricter oversight.
- Evaluate previous findings and recommendations related to DCI and implement solutions.
>Read the full report below:
The councilmembers who called for these independent investigations say the Board has the evidence they need to take immediate action to protect staff and students.
Evan Glass was among the first Montgomery County councilmembers to demand the independent investigations into the handling of Beidleman.
"This is a problem that has festered for nearly four years, five years, as detailed in the report and the board of education needs to act." Montgomery County Councilmember Glass said.
"There is more information that the community needs," Glass said. "There was a heavily redacted report that the school system published that provides more details who knew what, when, those are questions that are still looming out there. The community wants to move forward.
The Montgomery County Education Association (MCEA) responded to the findings in a statement saying, "We are continually disheartened and disgusted by the continuing revelations of corruption, malfeasance, and unsafe working conditions in MCPS," said Danillya Wilson, MCEA Secretary and Vice President-Elect.
The teacher's union says the release of the report makes it clear that the superintendent and other top executives, "either due to incompetence or willful avoidance of duty, allowed credible allegations of sexual harassment and bullying to go unaddressed."
In a statement the Board of Education announced they will be brining in a team of external experts to help ensure the school system is implementing, "best practices moving forward."
Superintendent McKnight acknowledged the findings in a statement saying, "I am fully in alignment with the OIG’s recommendations, many of which I have already been working with my team to address by implementing dozens of corrective actions over the last several months."
Dr. McKnight added that although the issues started before she was superintendent, her goal was to end them on her watch.
"She deserves as much credit as any white male or any other male that has been in this situation since this ordeal started," said Linda Plummer of Montgomery County NAACP.
Members of the Montgomery County Chapter of the NAACP showed up outside the school system headquarters today to support McKnight after she said the board wants her to step down.
Plummer said, "We just want to know why. You know? We want to know why. Put it up or shut it up. We have not been provided any legal reason for the request and that's what we are looking for."
The Montgomery County Council told WUSA9 that they will meet on Feb. 8 to conduct an oversight hearing about these findings.
The Board of Education responded to the report on Wednesday afternoon. Their full response is below:
The Board of Education would like to thank the Inspector General for undertaking this investigation following consultation with the Board of Education upon receipt of the Jackson Lewis report in September 2023. We appreciate her thorough investigation and thoughtful findings.
Today, we acknowledge that the school system has much work to do. As a Board, we will work with the MCPS senior leadership to make these changes a priority. The Board of Education has already taken personnel actions and will continue to hold those responsible for the systemic failures to account. We will be bringing in a team of external experts to help us ensure we are implementing best practices going forward. In addition, we will continue our work to review and revise policies to help strengthen our reporting structures and processes.
As a Board, we are committed to transparency and building a stronger and better school system for all students. We will heal our system, restore trust and build a strong oversight infrastructure. Our goal is to ensure that we provide a safe and healthy educational environment in which everyone in MCPS can thrive.
We are committed to sharing regular updates with the MCPS community as we continue this important work.