As scrutiny continues over the public school system’s handling of misconduct complaints, the council president says a cultural change is needed at Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS).
“It needs to be a cultural expectation that is set at the highest leadership level within the school system, at the Board of Education, that is demanded from the superintendent, and that is expected among everybody who works within the school system,” County Council President Andrew Friedson said Monday. “Everybody who works within the school system should feel like there is a level of accountability.”
Last week, the school board released a less-redacted version of a report conducted by the law firm Jackson Lewis on the promotion of former school principal Dr. Joel Beidleman, who had numerous sexual harassment complaints against him. The board previously released a version in October and then released last week’s report after calls for more transparency.
On Monday, Friedson said the fact that another version of the Jackson Lewis report was released shows, “there is a level of discretion here in following the law to provide much more information than has historically been provided.”
Councilmembers convened with school system officials and the county Inspector General for a meeting last week to discuss a separate report — from the county Inspector General — that found issues with how MCPS handles employee misconduct complaints. Both the Inspector General and Jackson Lewis reports were initiated following The Washington Post story exposing Beidleman’s promotion.
Friedson said the council will have ongoing check-ins with the Inspector General.
