Springbrook HS Staff Letter

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is so disappointing. Years ago, I taught at White Oak Middle School. I moved to a different school because the principal (who is still at WOMS) engages in similar bullying behaviors. This means that students who go from WOMS to Springbrook are spending their entire middle and high school careers in buildings in which this type of toxic behavior is the norm. Hopefully this letter will result in some positive change for teachers and kids.

Can confirm this is still the case at White Oak and the parallels between these two administrators is truly uncanny. It’s a horrible work environment with terrible morale and high turnover every year.

That’s terrible! I’ve heard horror stories since I started MCPS about White Oak (and other admins). Why do they keep the horrible ones in their positions?! Don’t admins have PAR?

+1 I have been warned by 3 different teachers to stay away from WOMS despite it being very close to home. All complained about the principal. I don’t teach HS, but if I did, I’d leave the district before going to SHS. Life is too short. I really hope these teachers can win their school back. Toxic admin need to be ousted from our district.

Unfortunately, Taylor and Moran reappointed all three associate superintendents so not a chance in hell that’s gonna happen.

[Anonymous]

The Principal at WOMS has been there for at least 15 years now. I’m surprised she hasn’t been promoted yet to CO.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s been nearly two weeks since the send date of the letter. Can anyone report if they’ve seen Central Office Support or any changes in the school?

We have not seen anyone from central office to our knowledge. We received an email with the ILT agenda in which it looks like she plans to discuss the letter with Resource Teachers; perhaps she is doing her own investigation. There has been no change in behavior, however.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s been nearly two weeks since the send date of the letter. Can anyone report if they’ve seen Central Office Support or any changes in the school?

We have not seen anyone from central office to our knowledge. We received an email with the ILT agenda in which it looks like she plans to discuss the letter with Resource Teachers; perhaps she is doing her own investigation. There has been no change in behavior, however.

The letter senders did not receive a response to their letter from the BOE or MCEA leadership???

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s been nearly two weeks since the send date of the letter. Can anyone report if they’ve seen Central Office Support or any changes in the school?

We have not seen anyone from central office to our knowledge. We received an email with the ILT agenda in which it looks like she plans to discuss the letter with Resource Teachers; perhaps she is doing her own investigation. There has been no change in behavior, however.

The letter senders did not receive a response to their letter from the BOE or MCEA leadership???

No. No response from anyone yet

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s been nearly two weeks since the send date of the letter. Can anyone report if they’ve seen Central Office Support or any changes in the school?

We have not seen anyone from central office to our knowledge. We received an email with the ILT agenda in which it looks like she plans to discuss the letter with Resource Teachers; perhaps she is doing her own investigation. There has been no change in behavior, however.

The letter senders did not receive a response to their letter from the BOE or MCEA leadership???

No. No response from anyone yet

This is awful. We have a completely unresponsive school system.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s been nearly two weeks since the send date of the letter. Can anyone report if they’ve seen Central Office Support or any changes in the school?

We have not seen anyone from central office to our knowledge. We received an email with the ILT agenda in which it looks like she plans to discuss the letter with Resource Teachers; perhaps she is doing her own investigation. There has been no change in behavior, however.

The letter senders did not receive a response to their letter from the BOE or MCEA leadership???

No. No response from anyone yet

This is awful. We have a completely unresponsive school system.

They respond when it is B-CC or when the Post publishes. Not when Staff are screaming for help at an NEC School.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s been nearly two weeks since the send date of the letter. Can anyone report if they’ve seen Central Office Support or any changes in the school?

We have not seen anyone from central office to our knowledge. We received an email with the ILT agenda in which it looks like she plans to discuss the letter with Resource Teachers; perhaps she is doing her own investigation. There has been no change in behavior, however.

The letter senders did not receive a response to their letter from the BOE or MCEA leadership???

No. No response from anyone yet

The Post ran the Beidleman story because teachers spoke up. Real teachers with real names. This is just an anonymous letter being circulated with no one taking ownership of these allegations. The Post won’t investigate this, there is no one to talk to.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s been nearly two weeks since the send date of the letter. Can anyone report if they’ve seen Central Office Support or any changes in the school?

We have not seen anyone from central office to our knowledge. We received an email with the ILT agenda in which it looks like she plans to discuss the letter with Resource Teachers; perhaps she is doing her own investigation. There has been no change in behavior, however.

The letter senders did not receive a response to their letter from the BOE or MCEA leadership???

No. No response from anyone yet

The Post ran the Beidleman story because teachers spoke up. Real teachers with real names. This is just an anonymous letter being circulated with no one taking ownership of these allegations. The Post won’t investigate this, there is no one to talk to.

The teachers who complained to the Post were anonymous to the public. What are you talking about?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s been nearly two weeks since the send date of the letter. Can anyone report if they’ve seen Central Office Support or any changes in the school?

We have not seen anyone from central office to our knowledge. We received an email with the ILT agenda in which it looks like she plans to discuss the letter with Resource Teachers; perhaps she is doing her own investigation. There has been no change in behavior, however.

The letter senders did not receive a response to their letter from the BOE or MCEA leadership???

No. No response from anyone yet

The Post ran the Beidleman story because teachers spoke up. Real teachers with real names. This is just an anonymous letter being circulated with no one taking ownership of these allegations. The Post won’t investigate this, there is no one to talk to.

The teachers who complained to the Post were anonymous to the public. What are you talking about?

They were not anonymous to the reporters.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s been nearly two weeks since the send date of the letter. Can anyone report if they’ve seen Central Office Support or any changes in the school?

We have not seen anyone from central office to our knowledge. We received an email with the ILT agenda in which it looks like she plans to discuss the letter with Resource Teachers; perhaps she is doing her own investigation. There has been no change in behavior, however.

The letter senders did not receive a response to their letter from the BOE or MCEA leadership???

No. No response from anyone yet

The Post ran the Beidleman story because teachers spoke up. Real teachers with real names. This is just an anonymous letter being circulated with no one taking ownership of these allegations. The Post won’t investigate this, there is no one to talk to.

The teachers who complained to the Post were anonymous to the public. What are you talking about?

They were not anonymous to the reporters.

How do you know that the anonymous letter writers did not leave a means for the BOE, MCEA etc. to get in contact with them?

[Anonymous]

My educated guess if that the director (Dodd), Donna RJ (whom I believe helped with the process to select Biedleman), and Taylor are aware. I feel like they will usually try to see if the Principal can settle this at the school level before they step in. I’m pretty sure it’s beyond solving at this point, but they have to go through the chain of command. I’m imagining that ILT will just be blaming and excuses. Don’t give up SB staff. Keep advocating until changes happen.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My educated guess if that the director (Dodd), Donna RJ (whom I believe helped with the process to select Biedleman), and Taylor are aware. I feel like they will usually try to see if the Principal can settle this at the school level before they step in. I’m pretty sure it’s beyond solving at this point, but they have to go through the chain of command. I’m imagining that ILT will just be blaming and excuses. Don’t give up SB staff. Keep advocating until changes happen.

Yes! Please, SB staff, let the community know how we can help. Valentine and Donna will try to break you, but don't let them.

[Anonymous]

The concerns outlined in the letter pale in comparison to the reality of the situation. Valentine’s actions have repeatedly harmed both students and staff, creating a toxic and demoralizing environment. For instance, after a certain time of day, she refuses to allow students back into the building—even those returning from legitimate obligations like medical appointments. This is not a matter of discipline but a disregard for students’ well-being. Additionally, she has driven out numerous dedicated staff members, berates employees in front of students, and embodies the very definition of a bully.

The impact of her leadership is evident in how students feel about their school. Many have said that attending Springbrook feels like going to a prison every day. When students view their school as a place of confinement rather than a space for learning and growth, it speaks volumes about the environment being fostered.

The issues with Valentine are not new. Central office has been aware of her behavior for years and has allowed it to continue, leaving staff feeling hopeless and unsupported. Despite this, the educators and employees in this building remain committed to the students and community, striving to provide them with the care and education they deserve. It is disheartening that MCPS has not done better for them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The concerns outlined in the letter pale in comparison to the reality of the situation. Valentine’s actions have repeatedly harmed both students and staff, creating a toxic and demoralizing environment. For instance, after a certain time of day, she refuses to allow students back into the building—even those returning from legitimate obligations like medical appointments. This is not a matter of discipline but a disregard for students’ well-being. Additionally, she has driven out numerous dedicated staff members, berates employees in front of students, and embodies the very definition of a bully.

The impact of her leadership is evident in how students feel about their school. Many have said that attending Springbrook feels like going to a prison every day. When students view their school as a place of confinement rather than a space for learning and growth, it speaks volumes about the environment being fostered.

The issues with Valentine are not new. Central office has been aware of her behavior for years and has allowed it to continue, leaving staff feeling hopeless and unsupported. Despite this, the educators and employees in this building remain committed to the students and community, striving to provide them with the care and education they deserve. It is disheartening that MCPS has not done better for them.

You could also try sending the letter to the MoCo OIG, Megan Limarzi.