The Montgomery County Board of Education received a report Friday concerning the promotion of former Paint Branch High School and Farquhar Middle School.
Following an investigation by the Washington Post, Joel Beidleman is on extended leave. He was the subject of numerous complaints of sexual harassment and other inappropriate behavior dating back to 2017. Still he received a promotion and pay increase.
The BOE hired the law firm of Jackson Lewis to investigate how Beidleman was promoted. That report, according to a statement from the BOE, “raises serious concerns about the vetting and promotion of personnel with MCPS.”
The BOE now will consult with the Montgomery County Inspector General and the Maryland Inspector General for Education. Those offices may also look into how Beidelman was promoted.
Numerous individuals, including County Executive Marc Elrich and County Council President Evan Glass, criticized the BOE’s decision to hire Jackson Lewis and urged that the matter be turned over to the Inspector Generals’ offices. The Montgomery County Education Association also objected to the hiring of Jackson Lewis.
The County Council’s Education and Culture Committee, which is chaired by Councilmember Will Jawando, will meet Sept. 28 to discuss the report’s findings.
