After months of investigation, on Friday the Washington Post reported Paint Branch High School principal Joel Beidleman had been the subject of numerous complaints of sexual harassment and other inappropriate behavior dating back to 2017.
As of August 4, MCPS has put Beidleman on “extended leave” and initiated “an independent external investigation” into the claims. In June, Beidleman had been promoted to principal of Paint Branch with a 20% raise in salary.
Recent notifications about Beidleman’s often lewd and graphic interactions with teachers landed in the office of compliance coordinator Khalid Walker. According to the Post, after reviewing the information in late July, Walker concluded Beidleman did not violate MCPS’ sexual harassment policy.
The Post interviewed multiple educators who either transferred away from Beidleman’s control or left teaching all together after working with him at Roberto Clemente and Farquhar Middle Schools.
County Executive Marc Elrich posted on social media, “This is a long and troubling story. If it is accurate, it is shameful that MCPS let this situation persist for so long.”
This is a long and troubling story. If it is accurate, it is shameful that MCPS let this situation persist for so long. https://t.co/u2S1gozcpl
— County Exec Marc Elrich (@MontCoExec) August 11, 2023
At Large Councilmember Will Jawando commented on the revelations about Beidleman, ” The concerns voiced by members of our community regarding harassment, bullying and fear of reprisals should be taken with the utmost seriousness. That kind of culture is entirely unacceptable in our school system and anywhere.”
I released the following statement related to the serious allegations regarding a Montgomery County Public School (MCPS) principal detailed in @WashPost today.https://t.co/0xEBF9Xo33 pic.twitter.com/Okp95VIH2m
— Councilmember Will Jawando (@CMJawando) August 11, 2023
I support Chairman Jawando’s statement RE: this Washington Post story. I’m also deeply troubled by this story on many levels. https://t.co/gO9cH3Fndm
— Councilmember Gabe Albornoz (@albornoz_gabe) August 11, 2023
MCM reached out to MCPS Communications Director Chris Cram who emailed this comment:
“MCPS maintains its commitment to provide a safe, supportive and inclusive learning environment for our students. MCPS also maintains its commitment to provide an appropriate work environment for its staff. We have identified an external and independent investigation team with expertise in education and employment law to promptly investigate allegations that were raised in the Washington Post’s investigation. The external team will also assess the district processes concerning documenting, reporting and investigating allegations of bullying, sexual harassment, and/or discrimination of any kind. Privacy protocols will be adhered to throughout our response to this matter.”
Here is a link to the Washington Post article.
Dr. Joel L. Beidleman, Principal, Paint Branch High School, pic.twitter.com/KCU5l57NCX
— MCPS (@MCPS) June 27, 2023
