Petition to Rescind the appointment of AP at Rock Creek Valley ES

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just because there is not enough evidence to convict him does not convince me that he should be around small children.

Even if it’s not true?

The video. Speaks for itself

The video wasn't even enough to convince the judge to continue the trial. Did you see a video different from the judge's (genuinely asking)?

The judge looked at the video from the angle of “is this man a criminal “. As a parent, I am looking at it as “is this man ethical?”

So no, I do not believe he should have grabbed a developmentally delayed FIVE year old in that manner. No I do not believe he should have even lifted his foot as an intent to stomp near or on that child’s body. Whether he made contact or not, we’ll never know but it certainly looked like he was intending to. And that’s enough for me

. Can someone link to the video?

Would also like to see a link to the video. Not sure how anyone can make declarations either way unless they have seen the video?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I worked with him in two schools and he was always positive and wanted only the best for kids. While he sometimes confronted teachers about how they were teaching and got pushback he never was sexually inappropriate with anyone. This allegation that is being made is truly unfounded and libel. I was very involved in both schools and there were no reports about that ever made.

He didn’t always handle every situation best but his intentions I believe were always good. There were staff who wanted to be left alone and not consider his feedback and they became very defensive and confrontational.

I think it is sad that someone who went through due process and the courts and was cleared to return isn’t being given a fair chance to do his job that he’s devoted his life to doing.

This. I thought we're in progressive Montgomery County, where we welcome 'returning citizens' with open arms. I mean, this isn't even a case where he is a 'returning citizen'. He was cleared! Do we just go with rumors now and disparage people anytime we want? Give him a fair chance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I worked with him in two schools and he was always positive and wanted only the best for kids. While he sometimes confronted teachers about how they were teaching and got pushback he never was sexually inappropriate with anyone. This allegation that is being made is truly unfounded and libel. I was very involved in both schools and there were no reports about that ever made.

He didn’t always handle every situation best but his intentions I believe were always good. There were staff who wanted to be left alone and not consider his feedback and they became very defensive and confrontational.

I think it is sad that someone who went through due process and the courts and was cleared to return isn’t being given a fair chance to do his job that he’s devoted his life to doing.

This. I thought we're in progressive Montgomery County, where we welcome 'returning citizens' with open arms. I mean, this isn't even a case where he is a 'returning citizen'. He was cleared! Do we just go with rumors now and disparage people anytime we want? Give him a fair chance.

+1 I feel like people want permanent retribution on the basis of vibes "just in case."

I'm glad that a robust investigation took place, but once someone has been cleared by both their own employer and by the courts, we need to recognize that they enjoy the same worker protections as any of the rest of us. If there's no there there, he needs to be allowed to return to his job or else we are introducing a precedent for anyone to be permanently punished for any accusation, regardless of evidence or process.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just because there is not enough evidence to convict him does not convince me that he should be around small children.

Even if it’s not true?

The video. Speaks for itself

The video wasn't even enough to convince the judge to continue the trial. Did you see a video different from the judge's (genuinely asking)?

The judge looked at the video from the angle of “is this man a criminal “. As a parent, I am looking at it as “is this man ethical?”

So no, I do not believe he should have grabbed a developmentally delayed FIVE year old in that manner. No I do not believe he should have even lifted his foot as an intent to stomp near or on that child’s body. Whether he made contact or not, we’ll never know but it certainly looked like he was intending to. And that’s enough for me

. Can someone link to the video?

Would also like to see a link to the video. Not sure how anyone can make declarations either way unless they have seen the video?

Below are descriptions of the video from two different reporters:

The video captures Winter grabbing the student by their clothing and physically seating them on a nearby bench. The principal is then seen stomping on the student's right foot, causing the student to cry immediately. Winter can then be seen sitting next to the student, putting his arm around their shoulders.

Two students who witnessed the incident reported it to their teacher, who then informed the assistant principal. The assistant principal subsequently contacted the police. Authorities met with the student and their father, where the student confirmed that Winter had stomped on their foot.

https://www.fox5dc.com/news/principal-maryland-accused-assaulting-student-during-lunchtime

In the video, which was shown in court Monday, Winter can be seen talking to the student. A group of other students walks in between the pair, and then Winter grabs the student’s hoodie and pulls him backward toward a cafeteria table seat and makes him sit down. After several seconds, Winter appears to stomp on the child’s foot, before directing his attention to other students. The student can be seen crying in the video.

https://bethesdamagazine.com/2024/11/25/former-ritchie-park-principal-acquitted/

I would hope that the standard for remaining in an elementary school leadership position is a bit higher than that for "did he commit a crime?"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I worked with him in two schools and he was always positive and wanted only the best for kids. While he sometimes confronted teachers about how they were teaching and got pushback he never was sexually inappropriate with anyone. This allegation that is being made is truly unfounded and libel. I was very involved in both schools and there were no reports about that ever made.

He didn’t always handle every situation best but his intentions I believe were always good. There were staff who wanted to be left alone and not consider his feedback and they became very defensive and confrontational.

I think it is sad that someone who went through due process and the courts and was cleared to return isn’t being given a fair chance to do his job that he’s devoted his life to doing.

This. I thought we're in progressive Montgomery County, where we welcome 'returning citizens' with open arms. I mean, this isn't even a case where he is a 'returning citizen'. He was cleared! Do we just go with rumors now and disparage people anytime we want? Give him a fair chance.

The thing is, MCPS is sort of signaling two contradictory things at the same time.

While their internal investigation and the courts "cleared" him, they also DEMOTED him from principal to assistant principal, which suggests that although he's not being held criminally liable, there was SOME behavior that did not align with their expectations that is leading to the demotion.

So you can't blame people for being concerned. If MCPS TRULY thought the principal was fully innocent and cleared, then why the demotion?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I worked with him in two schools and he was always positive and wanted only the best for kids. While he sometimes confronted teachers about how they were teaching and got pushback he never was sexually inappropriate with anyone. This allegation that is being made is truly unfounded and libel. I was very involved in both schools and there were no reports about that ever made.

He didn’t always handle every situation best but his intentions I believe were always good. There were staff who wanted to be left alone and not consider his feedback and they became very defensive and confrontational.

I think it is sad that someone who went through due process and the courts and was cleared to return isn’t being given a fair chance to do his job that he’s devoted his life to doing.

This. I thought we're in progressive Montgomery County, where we welcome 'returning citizens' with open arms. I mean, this isn't even a case where he is a 'returning citizen'. He was cleared! Do we just go with rumors now and disparage people anytime we want? Give him a fair chance.

The thing is, MCPS is sort of signaling two contradictory things at the same time.

While their internal investigation and the courts "cleared" him, they also DEMOTED him from principal to assistant principal, which suggests that although he's not being held criminally liable, there was SOME behavior that did not align with their expectations that is leading to the demotion.

So you can't blame people for being concerned. If MCPS TRULY thought the principal was fully innocent and cleared, then why the demotion?

It seems the demotion signals that he needs a degree of retraining and more regular supervision.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I worked with him in two schools and he was always positive and wanted only the best for kids. While he sometimes confronted teachers about how they were teaching and got pushback he never was sexually inappropriate with anyone. This allegation that is being made is truly unfounded and libel. I was very involved in both schools and there were no reports about that ever made.

He didn’t always handle every situation best but his intentions I believe were always good. There were staff who wanted to be left alone and not consider his feedback and they became very defensive and confrontational.

I think it is sad that someone who went through due process and the courts and was cleared to return isn’t being given a fair chance to do his job that he’s devoted his life to doing.

This. I thought we're in progressive Montgomery County, where we welcome 'returning citizens' with open arms. I mean, this isn't even a case where he is a 'returning citizen'. He was cleared! Do we just go with rumors now and disparage people anytime we want? Give him a fair chance.

The thing is, MCPS is sort of signaling two contradictory things at the same time.

While their internal investigation and the courts "cleared" him, they also DEMOTED him from principal to assistant principal, which suggests that although he's not being held criminally liable, there was SOME behavior that did not align with their expectations that is leading to the demotion.

So you can't blame people for being concerned. If MCPS TRULY thought the principal was fully innocent and cleared, then why the demotion?

It seems the demotion signals that he needs a degree of retraining and more regular supervision.

This will not happen at a small elementary school. WHY risk it, and why create these optics! Give him a job doing something useful behind the scenes. There is plenty of work going undone this year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just because there is not enough evidence to convict him does not convince me that he should be around small children.

Even if it’s not true?

The video. Speaks for itself

The video wasn't even enough to convince the judge to continue the trial. Did you see a video different from the judge's (genuinely asking)?

The judge looked at the video from the angle of “is this man a criminal “. As a parent, I am looking at it as “is this man ethical?”

So no, I do not believe he should have grabbed a developmentally delayed FIVE year old in that manner. No I do not believe he should have even lifted his foot as an intent to stomp near or on that child’s body. Whether he made contact or not, we’ll never know but it certainly looked like he was intending to. And that’s enough for me

. Can someone link to the video?

Would also like to see a link to the video. Not sure how anyone can make declarations either way unless they have seen the video?

Below are descriptions of the video from two different reporters:

The video captures Winter grabbing the student by their clothing and physically seating them on a nearby bench. The principal is then seen stomping on the student's right foot, causing the student to cry immediately. Winter can then be seen sitting next to the student, putting his arm around their shoulders.

Two students who witnessed the incident reported it to their teacher, who then informed the assistant principal. The assistant principal subsequently contacted the police. Authorities met with the student and their father, where the student confirmed that Winter had stomped on their foot.

https://www.fox5dc.com/news/principal-maryland-accused-assaulting-student-during-lunchtime

In the video, which was shown in court Monday, Winter can be seen talking to the student. A group of other students walks in between the pair, and then Winter grabs the student’s hoodie and pulls him backward toward a cafeteria table seat and makes him sit down. After several seconds, Winter appears to stomp on the child’s foot, before directing his attention to other students. The student can be seen crying in the video.

https://bethesdamagazine.com/2024/11/25/former-ritchie-park-principal-acquitted/

I would hope that the standard for remaining in an elementary school leadership position is a bit higher than that for "did he commit a crime?"

Note that other children who saw the incident were disturbed enough by it to tell their teacher.

[Anonymous]

I don’t know why, but I would feel better about the outcome of this case if there has been a jury, not just one judge. I have been on jury duty for lesser cases than this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don’t know why, but I would feel better about the outcome of this case if there has been a jury, not just one judge. I have been on jury duty for lesser cases than this.

Agree.

[Anonymous]

This is mob mentality at its worst. The man was literally acquitted without even having to put on a case (i.e. a directed verdict) showing how absolutely ridiculous these charges were and then MCPS backtracked on the termination knowing that they did not have the evidence to support the charges. This man has received NUMEROUS accalades as one of the best principals in MoCo over 20+ years and it is absolutely disguesting that people would defame his character with evidence-free allegations and speculation. Do better parents.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is mob mentality at its worst. The man was literally acquitted without even having to put on a case (i.e. a directed verdict) showing how absolutely ridiculous these charges were and then MCPS backtracked on the termination knowing that they did not have the evidence to support the charges. This man has received NUMEROUS accalades as one of the best principals in MoCo over 20+ years and it is absolutely disguesting that people would defame his character with evidence-free allegations and speculation. Do better parents.

And yet MCPS demoted him from Principal to AP. So that signals MCPS does not hold him blameless in the situation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is mob mentality at its worst. The man was literally acquitted without even having to put on a case (i.e. a directed verdict) showing how absolutely ridiculous these charges were and then MCPS backtracked on the termination knowing that they did not have the evidence to support the charges. This man has received NUMEROUS accalades as one of the best principals in MoCo over 20+ years and it is absolutely disguesting that people would defame his character with evidence-free allegations and speculation. Do better parents.

And yet MCPS demoted him from Principal to AP. So that signals MCPS does not hold him blameless in the situation.

Negotiated settlements happen all the time. If there was ANY evidence demonstrating actual physical contact with that child there is not a chance in hell any MoCo BoE lawyer or adminstrator would ever allow him to step foot in a school again. Engage your brains people.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is mob mentality at its worst. The man was literally acquitted without even having to put on a case (i.e. a directed verdict) showing how absolutely ridiculous these charges were and then MCPS backtracked on the termination knowing that they did not have the evidence to support the charges. This man has received NUMEROUS accalades as one of the best principals in MoCo over 20+ years and it is absolutely disguesting that people would defame his character with evidence-free allegations and speculation. Do better parents.

And yet MCPS demoted him from Principal to AP. So that signals MCPS does not hold him blameless in the situation.

I've had personal experience with this principal, and like everyone of us, he is imperfect. If demotion is the consequence for this incident, so be it, but as the PP said, he is a very hard-working, dedicated educator, and let's let him get on with his life. Being charged with a crime and having to go through a trial is horrific enough, even when resoundingly acquitted.

[Anonymous]

In summary: White male principal is the boss. Minority female assistant principal wishes she was the boss. She calls the police (her husband) to support her baseless accusation. His career gets derailed, he loses his job and reputation. Nothing happens to her. The system assures all that there is nothing to see here. This is a tale as old as time...