Following the release of a summary report detailing an investigation surrounding the promotion of a school principal, County Executive Marc Elrich said the findings are “deeply disturbing.”
Paint Branch High School principal Joel Beidleman has reportedly had multiple sexual harassment complaints filed against him and was recently promoted to principal. He was placed on extended leave in August.
“I have not seen the full report nor have I been given a formal briefing from any of the MCPS leaders, however the publicly-available summary I read is deeply disturbing all by itself,” Elrich said during a media briefing Thursday.
Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) hired the Jackson Lewis law firm to conduct the investigation surrounding the reported allegations toward Beidleman.
The school board released a summary of the Jackson Lewis report. According to the findings detailed in the summary report, multiple members of the MCPS administration who were part of the promotion process knew Beidleman was under investigation at the time, but did not inquire about the specific nature of allegations.
The decision to hire Jackson Lewis drew reaction and criticism from leaders including Elrich, councilmembers and the teachers union.
On Thursday, Elrich said he is happy to see the county Inspector General launch two investigations related to the allegations.
He hopes MCPS Superintendent Dr. Monifa McKnight will institute consequences for those who “ignored the seriousness of the problems” as well as implement changes “so that nobody has to go through this again.”
