UPDATED at 12:25 p.m. to include Superintendent Dr. Monifa McKnight’s response.
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A newly released report by the Montgomery County Inspector General’s office concerning Montgomery County Public Schools’ review of misconduct allegations determined that the school district “does not have a comprehensive protocol addressing the receipt, evaluation, tracking and disposition of complaints.”
The review noted “numerous issues” dealing with employee misconduct related complaints and investigations, “many” of which were previously brought to MCPS’ attention.
The report was conducted following complaints concerning former Principal Joel Beidleman, who was promoted despite numerous harassment and sexual harassment complaints filed against him. However, the 20-page report is a review of MCPS policies, not the specific Beidleman case.
The report determined that MCPS’ Department of Compliance and Investigation “does not follow defined criteria when determining what actions to take with complaints.” That department also “does not have comprehensive policies for conducting and documenting investigations.”
Another finding in the report noted, “Electronic case files lacked evidence that DCI consistently followed sound investigative practices.”
The report condemned MCPS for not correcting deficiencies in this area that have been previously pointed out by other entities.
The OIG’s five recommendations all involve formulating and instituting comprehensive policies concerning staff oversight and handling of complaints.
The report does not mention any names of DCI employees, administrators or Board of Education members. The review is the second report on this subject by the OIG concerning MCPS. The other was issued Sept. 20, 2023.
Board of Education members this week asked MCPS Superintendent Dr. Monifa McKnight to step down, although their reason was not made public. Several county councilmembers said they were withholding judgement until they read this report.
McKnight issued this statement in response to the OIG report.
“I am grateful to Montgomery County Inspector General Megan Davey Limarzi and her team for their thorough and rigorous review of longstanding, systemic issues within MCPS.
The OIG report represents an important step toward updating and modernizing processes, policies and procedures to better align them with MCPS values — and most importantly so no one within the MCPS family ever has to endure unchecked abuse, harassment, bullying or retaliation again. 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 — and I appreciate the OIG for acknowledging that progress in today’s report.
I shared updates on that work both in October and earlier this week, outlining the progress that’s been made. But we still have important work ahead, which we will do in collaboration with Board of Education leaders, the County Council and the OIG’s office — who have remained important and trusted partners throughout this process — as we finalize the comprehensive corrective action plan that the Board directed me to develop last year.
Part of overhauling MCPS is cultivating an environment and policies that facilitate greater collaboration and coordination, ensuring that important information is shared with appropriate leaders who are empowered to take action when we recognize rot in the system.
As I’ve said from day one, these issues may not have started on my watch, but as superintendent, they will end on my watch. As a mother, a woman and an educator who has committed decades of her life working to support the students, families and staff at MCPS, I am honored to continue serving this community, and to drive the reforms that will usher in a new era for MCPS — one that embraces accountability, transparency and trust, and that ensures students and staff are able to thrive in the safe and healthy learning and teaching environments I know MCPS is capable of.”
