Beauvoir Scandal?

[Anonymous]

I think the fact that the individual in question has allegedly disappeared lends credence to the probablity that he was in violation of the law. If he were truly innocent he would not be running away, and would be cooperating with those law enforcement personel and others who wanted to take his statement and/or question him.

[Anonymous]

We are not applying next year. There are plenty of other schools out there with fine reputations. Our money will go to those schools. Beauvoir was my orig favorite, now it's off my list entirely.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think the fact that the individual in question has allegedly disappeared lends credence to the probablity that he was in violation of the law. If he were truly innocent he would not be running away, and would be cooperating with those law enforcement personel and others who wanted to take his statement and/or question him.

I was thinking the exact same thing. He's a cowardly bastard. (He's a lot of other things, too, but if I get started I am afraid I won't be able to stop...)

[jsteele]

I have been in touch with Beauvoir about this thread and Paula Carreiro and I have had a phone conversation. She is understandably concerned about some of the posts in this thread. I will have more to say later about all of this, but it is clearly a developing story. One thing I did want to say is that I am now familiar with the information provided to Beauvoir families. I am confident that the school would provide this to any parents who have concerns about the school. Clearly, the school is limited in what it can say at this time. Nevertheless, I was impressed with the school's willingness to be forthcoming. The school held a meeting tonight for families (it may still be going on at this hour), so perhaps some concerns are being alleviated.

I conveyed to Paula that it is not my interest to limit free discussion in the forum, but at the same time I am concerned about the anonymity allowed on this site being abused. Paula was very supportive of continuous vigorous discussion. We agreed that the forums should not be used for carrying out personal vendettas (my word, not hers) or spreading false information.

Only time will reveal all the facts surrounding the event discussed in this thread. I don't pretend any special knowledge. However, as other posters have, I encourage anyone with concerns to talk directly with the school. I say that not as an apologist for the school, but simply as someone who did exactly that and was impressed with the results.

[Anonymous]

Thank you, Jeff. Your integrity is always welcome.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are not applying next year. There are plenty of other schools out there with fine reputations. Our money will go to those schools. Beauvoir was my orig favorite, now it's off my list entirely.

Who cares I am sure plenty of families will still apply. One less will benefit others.

Posters have been encouraging you all from the start to contact the school. I am so glad Jeff finally did to get details for himself. The school has done all it can. At this point they are focused on the children and making sure they are safe. I want to commend Beauvoir for dealing with a tough situation in an appropriate manner. Thank - you Jeff for bringing some clarity to the situation.

Beauvoir Parent

[Anonymous]

Can you comment on whether the school involved the police immediately or whether they chose to tell the suspected teacher what they knew and escort him off campus without the police? Wouldn't it be obvious to the suspected teacher after being escorted off his campus that the police would eventually be calling? Wouldn't this hinder any future investigation as the suspect would have had time and warning to destroy evidence before a search could be conducted?

This is a truly worrisome aspect to the thread as the actions taken or not taken by the school would affect not only current students but now others. It is difficult for the police to catch these predators and actions to protect one community, avoid bad publicity, and the presence of police only serves to harms more people.

I agree with others that the lack of media coverage is odd. Free discussion of these situations is important to find better ways to protect against this. If the school did hinder either knowingly or accidentally the investigation of a child predator, then I hope this will finally be covered by the media more widely, not in attempt to punish the school, but as a message to other schools to act differently should it occur there.

[Anonymous]

Beauvoir sounds as if it's ruled by a queen bee who's surrounded by a nest of vipers. It's truly a dysfunctional place with a damaged brand. Isn't the board chair a former WorldCom exec who left to join and then resign from WWF? Isn't there a former managing director of Carlyle Group on the board? Wouldn't it be in the school's interest to have it both ways-- escort the teacher off campus but give him time to flee and destroy evidence. If there's no evidence, you can't prosecute for a crime. If you can't prosecute there's limited liability for the school? Oh to be a fly on the wall to listen to discussions between the head, chair and their attorney. And what's this, Beauvoir's head is now doing spin control with the site administrator?

[Anonymous]

The brand may be damaged but Beauvoir's damn good at raising and spending money. Don't they have some endowment campaign going on? Isn't that going to pay for some big fat golden parachutes for administrators?

[Anonymous]

I've read the threads with shock and horror. I'm a parent of an incoming pre-k student and find the entire episode very worrisome and scary. BUT, I'm embarrassed at the mob mentality among these anonymous posts. Very few people (myself included) know the facts surrounding the events. We dont know if a crime was committed, who did it, when it occurred etc. Those with students or future students should be patient and call the school. The speculation, gossip and fear-mongering are simply inappropriate.

I think those of you who suggested that the school made a mistake in the way it handled it are wrong. Let's say Paul tried to detain the teacher and he refused to stay on the school's premises. How would you have her respond? Bring gun toting security into the picture in a school full of 4 to 8 year old children? I'm a lawyer but not a prosecutor, but I cant imagine that the police response would have been lights and sirens with the SWAT team. Most likely MPD would have dispatched and pair of detectives (after some unknown length of response time) to the school to question the teacher and many others. From what I can gather, nothing would have given the police an immediate right to detain the teacher, immediately search his home, or seek immediate judicial authority to do either. Moreover, we have to remember that the teacher could have simply denied knowing how the pictures got on the camera and asked to leave the campus.

The mob mentality on these posts have also obscured a number of other considerations. First, the best and only way to ensure that the teacher did no further harm would be to keep him away from other potential victims. Beauvoir's immediate removal of the teacher was the first and best thing to do. Remember, Paula and her team are EDUCATORS not lawyers, prosecutors etc. Personally, I would have been dissappointed if the schools primary concern was arresting the teacher, rather than the safety of the childen. Second, the school has to be very careful in its reaction not to create a chain reaction of events that violated the privacy of any alleged victim and his family. If there is a victim, he has an absolute right not to have his identity etc broadcast to the public (either thru media dissemination, overreation, etc.). Third, while I assume this is not popular thought, the school also has to be careful not to thru accusations around that are either not provable or not true. This is not simply because of the obvious issues related to the liability the school would face for such harm to the teacher's reputation, but also because such reckless behavior is wrong.

Our family is very concerned about this situation. BUT, we cannot let that concern allow us to engage in reckless speculation and mob-like craziness. The schools, I believe, is handling it in the appropriate fashion. The police are investigating and we will soon have more facts which will allow us to make a better judgement as to whether the situation was handled properly.

[Anonymous]

The Beauvoir families received a follow up letter dated June 20th. It was a marked improvement over the initial letter. Interestingly enough, I thought it was better precisely because it contained ideas and addressed concerns raised throughout this thread. Coincidence? Maybe. But it is pretty clear that the school is paying attention to what is being said here. Particularly given the level of venom being sprayed about, it is a testament to the school (Ms. Carriero, the administration, and the Bd of Trustees) that they have the courage to wade into these sometimes unpleasant if not downright putrid waters, and that they are listening, knowing full well that what is being said around here is hearsay, sometimes outright false, and it would seem "vendetta" driven at times. This also proves the power of the internet and the value of DCUM. Thank you all.

[Anonymous]

You know what I wish?

I wish that someone who truly knows the facts would post here a chronological timeline of what has happened, and what -- factually --- is known to date. I think that would calm down some of this hysteria. Very few of us who aren't directly involved (meaning, have a child there now or going there next year) are going to take the time to call the school and ask for details and quite frankly, I wouldn't blame them for telling people like me that it's none of our business.

Except of course, now that it's become the "talk of DCUM" and beyond, primarily because of this thread. I was at a playgroup recently and people were talking about it; interestingly, not one parent there had a child at Beauvoir so no one really knew the facts.

If Beauvoir is truly being so open about this, they need to recognize that this is being discussed beyond their little family. A few salient facts from those in the know would do a lot to put the gossip to rest. (Yes, I'm a PR professional.)

They could start by telling us -- everyone, not just B parents -- exactly what was found, and where. Photos of Beauvoir student(s), or "anonymousr" kiddie porn? Or maybe it was adult porn, which, disgusting as it is, is not illegal to have in possesion, I don't think. What was done about it at the time? At what point were the police brought in, and why, exactly? Was this teacher leaving the school anyway? And what's up with this mysterious disappearnce?

Too many unanswered questions just leads to more and more "I think I heard" statements. Like it or not, this has become a community story, even if they have managed to avoid the press.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You know what I wish?

I wish that someone who truly knows the facts would post here a chronological timeline of what has happened, and what -- factually --- is known to date. I think that would calm down some of this hysteria. Very few of us who aren't directly involved (meaning, have a child there now or going there next year) are going to take the time to call the school and ask for details and quite frankly, I wouldn't blame them for telling people like me that it's none of our business.

Except of course, now that it's become the "talk of DCUM" and beyond, primarily because of this thread. I was at a playgroup recently and people were talking about it; interestingly, not one parent there had a child at Beauvoir so no one really knew the facts.

If Beauvoir is truly being so open about this, they need to recognize that this is being discussed beyond their little family. A few salient facts from those in the know would do a lot to put the gossip to rest. (Yes, I'm a PR professional.)

They could start by telling us -- everyone, not just B parents -- exactly what was found, and where. Photos of Beauvoir student(s), or "anonymousr" kiddie porn? Or maybe it was adult porn, which, disgusting as it is, is not illegal to have in possesion, I don't think. What was done about it at the time? At what point were the police brought in, and why, exactly? Was this teacher leaving the school anyway? And what's up with this mysterious disappearnce?

Too many unanswered questions just leads to more and more "I think I heard" statements. Like it or not, this has become a community story, even if they have managed to avoid the press.

ITA with this - and I'm also in PR and do a lot of crisis communications. The school appears to have handled this in a way that has not only possibly contributed to the endangerment of more children but has also DEFINITELY contributed to the destruction of their much valued reputation. At some point, despite the school's powerful supporters in the media community, the story of this situation will break - and the way the school has handled things will no doubt be part of the focus of the resulting coverage.

[Anonymous]

All of DC is talking about this. Why in the world hasn't the Post printed anything at all yet? Afraid of libel? Can't they find a Deep Throat?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:All of DC is talking about this. Why in the world hasn't the Post printed anything at all yet? Afraid of libel? Can't they find a Deep Throat?

Where do you live? No one I know is talking about this. Including former Beavoir/current St A's parents.