MOCO BOE update: Beidleman Report summary

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just think what it takes to protect someone like Biedleman. So many people were aware of the allegations. Presumably, not all of them were his buddies. Some of them probably thought the whole situation was messed up. Did they feel empowered to complain about the people who were protecting him? Honestly if this is a case of a few bad apples, then I am Mickey Mouse. MCPS is rotten at the core. McKnight absolutely must have known, probably about Biedleman specifically but definitely about the culture that allowed him to stay. No way he's the only one. Every second that goes by without her being fired is a disgrace and an insult to teachers and students.

I agree with most of your points, however, the Board of Education bears a lot of blame as well. They blindly accepted MCPS’s decision to promote Beidleman just like they rubber stamp most of what MCPS wants them to. There’s no oversight of the Superintendent so they have been complacent in creating the toxicity within the school system that would condone school administrators who sexually harassed staff.

As concerned citizens all we can do is not support their candidacy the next time they run for re-election and support a candidate that runs against them. Same for anybody on the County Council that remains silent solidarity with Jackson Lewis and MCPS in regards to the lack of transparency and accountability.

Jackson Lewis
Even less independent

https://parentscoalitionmc.blogspot.com/2023/09/update-jackson-lewis-pc-paid-48693-and.html?m=1

Is this a credible news source or a very biased crank that is only capable of finding fault?

It's a very biased crank who is only capable of finding fault.

I get the impression that half these threads complaining about MCPS with all these vague allegations are just that Parents Coalition person.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just think what it takes to protect someone like Biedleman. So many people were aware of the allegations. Presumably, not all of them were his buddies. Some of them probably thought the whole situation was messed up. Did they feel empowered to complain about the people who were protecting him? Honestly if this is a case of a few bad apples, then I am Mickey Mouse. MCPS is rotten at the core. McKnight absolutely must have known, probably about Biedleman specifically but definitely about the culture that allowed him to stay. No way he's the only one. Every second that goes by without her being fired is a disgrace and an insult to teachers and students.

I agree with most of your points, however, the Board of Education bears a lot of blame as well. They blindly accepted MCPS’s decision to promote Beidleman just like they rubber stamp most of what MCPS wants them to. There’s no oversight of the Superintendent so they have been complacent in creating the toxicity within the school system that would condone school administrators who sexually harassed staff.

As concerned citizens all we can do is not support their candidacy the next time they run for re-election and support a candidate that runs against them. Same for anybody on the County Council that remains silent solidarity with Jackson Lewis and MCPS in regards to the lack of transparency and accountability.

Jackson Lewis
Even less independent

https://parentscoalitionmc.blogspot.com/2023/09/update-jackson-lewis-pc-paid-48693-and.html?m=1

Is this a credible news source or a very biased crank that is only capable of finding fault?

It's a very biased crank who is only capable of finding fault.

I get the impression that half these threads complaining about MCPS with all these vague allegations are just that Parents Coalition person.

Totally, and i get that Biedleman was reprehensible but all these unsubstantiated allegations about some grand conspiracy seem a bit nuts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just think what it takes to protect someone like Biedleman. So many people were aware of the allegations. Presumably, not all of them were his buddies. Some of them probably thought the whole situation was messed up. Did they feel empowered to complain about the people who were protecting him? Honestly if this is a case of a few bad apples, then I am Mickey Mouse. MCPS is rotten at the core. McKnight absolutely must have known, probably about Biedleman specifically but definitely about the culture that allowed him to stay. No way he's the only one. Every second that goes by without her being fired is a disgrace and an insult to teachers and students.

I agree with most of your points, however, the Board of Education bears a lot of blame as well. They blindly accepted MCPS’s decision to promote Beidleman just like they rubber stamp most of what MCPS wants them to. There’s no oversight of the Superintendent so they have been complacent in creating the toxicity within the school system that would condone school administrators who sexually harassed staff.

As concerned citizens all we can do is not support their candidacy the next time they run for re-election and support a candidate that runs against them. Same for anybody on the County Council that remains silent solidarity with Jackson Lewis and MCPS in regards to the lack of transparency and accountability.

Do you really expect a part time Board with limited staffing to research every appointment in MCPS??? Jackson Lewis is a law firm that has been hired. Their obligation is to do a job and provide the report to the board and advise their client of the best course of action.

Does every appointment in MCPS go before the Board?

However, yes, I expect the Board to take the time to consider the matters that they are responsible for voting for. It’s a dereliction of duty to not make informed decisions before casting a vote or to abstain from votes simply so the Board has a unanimous decision.

The Board should have turned the matter over to the IGs offices instead of hiring representation by Jackson Lewis. The Board has broken its promise for transparency and accountability. The current Board is a large part of the problem because they have neglected their oversight responsibilities of MCPS. They have allowed MCPS administrators to have unlimited power to abuse staff for years without any oversight.

The board established policies to prevent things like this from happening. That’s their job. They’re part time and not in charge of operations. The board has one employee: the superintendent. Everyone else works for the superintendent. If the board ever expects its policies to be followed, they need to hold their one and only employee accountable. If they don’t, the resulting free for all will be even worse than what led to this mess.

I understand the larger point you're making, but it's not true to say that the board has only one employee.

https://ww2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/directory/directory_Boxoffice.aspx?processlevel=10711

Yes, they have a small administrative staff to support board functions, which do not include operational management over MCPS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just think what it takes to protect someone like Biedleman. So many people were aware of the allegations. Presumably, not all of them were his buddies. Some of them probably thought the whole situation was messed up. Did they feel empowered to complain about the people who were protecting him? Honestly if this is a case of a few bad apples, then I am Mickey Mouse. MCPS is rotten at the core. McKnight absolutely must have known, probably about Biedleman specifically but definitely about the culture that allowed him to stay. No way he's the only one. Every second that goes by without her being fired is a disgrace and an insult to teachers and students.

I agree with most of your points, however, the Board of Education bears a lot of blame as well. They blindly accepted MCPS’s decision to promote Beidleman just like they rubber stamp most of what MCPS wants them to. There’s no oversight of the Superintendent so they have been complacent in creating the toxicity within the school system that would condone school administrators who sexually harassed staff.

As concerned citizens all we can do is not support their candidacy the next time they run for re-election and support a candidate that runs against them. Same for anybody on the County Council that remains silent solidarity with Jackson Lewis and MCPS in regards to the lack of transparency and accountability.

Jackson Lewis
Even less independent

https://parentscoalitionmc.blogspot.com/2023/09/update-jackson-lewis-pc-paid-48693-and.html?m=1

Is this a credible news source or a very biased crank that is only capable of finding fault?

It's a very biased crank who is only capable of finding fault.

The parent's coalition is not without fault (for example I find their still constant COVID obsession misguided at best), but lets not pretend like they don't still produce some decent work sometimes when they shine a light on MCPS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just think what it takes to protect someone like Biedleman. So many people were aware of the allegations. Presumably, not all of them were his buddies. Some of them probably thought the whole situation was messed up. Did they feel empowered to complain about the people who were protecting him? Honestly if this is a case of a few bad apples, then I am Mickey Mouse. MCPS is rotten at the core. McKnight absolutely must have known, probably about Biedleman specifically but definitely about the culture that allowed him to stay. No way he's the only one. Every second that goes by without her being fired is a disgrace and an insult to teachers and students.

I agree with most of your points, however, the Board of Education bears a lot of blame as well. They blindly accepted MCPS’s decision to promote Beidleman just like they rubber stamp most of what MCPS wants them to. There’s no oversight of the Superintendent so they have been complacent in creating the toxicity within the school system that would condone school administrators who sexually harassed staff.

As concerned citizens all we can do is not support their candidacy the next time they run for re-election and support a candidate that runs against them. Same for anybody on the County Council that remains silent solidarity with Jackson Lewis and MCPS in regards to the lack of transparency and accountability.

Jackson Lewis
Even less independent

https://parentscoalitionmc.blogspot.com/2023/09/update-jackson-lewis-pc-paid-48693-and.html?m=1

Is this a credible news source or a very biased crank that is only capable of finding fault?

It's a very biased crank who is only capable of finding fault.

The parent's coalition is not without fault (for example I find their still constant COVID obsession misguided at best), but lets not pretend like they don't still produce some decent work sometimes when they shine a light on MCPS.

Hooray for the singular they!

Even a broken clock is right twice a day, if it's an analog clock.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just think what it takes to protect someone like Biedleman. So many people were aware of the allegations. Presumably, not all of them were his buddies. Some of them probably thought the whole situation was messed up. Did they feel empowered to complain about the people who were protecting him? Honestly if this is a case of a few bad apples, then I am Mickey Mouse. MCPS is rotten at the core. McKnight absolutely must have known, probably about Biedleman specifically but definitely about the culture that allowed him to stay. No way he's the only one. Every second that goes by without her being fired is a disgrace and an insult to teachers and students.

I agree with most of your points, however, the Board of Education bears a lot of blame as well. They blindly accepted MCPS’s decision to promote Beidleman just like they rubber stamp most of what MCPS wants them to. There’s no oversight of the Superintendent so they have been complacent in creating the toxicity within the school system that would condone school administrators who sexually harassed staff.

As concerned citizens all we can do is not support their candidacy the next time they run for re-election and support a candidate that runs against them. Same for anybody on the County Council that remains silent solidarity with Jackson Lewis and MCPS in regards to the lack of transparency and accountability.

Jackson Lewis
Even less independent

https://parentscoalitionmc.blogspot.com/2023/09/update-jackson-lewis-pc-paid-48693-and.html?m=1

Is this a credible news source or a very biased crank that is only capable of finding fault?

It's a very biased crank who is only capable of finding fault.

I get the impression that half these threads complaining about MCPS with all these vague allegations are just that Parents Coalition person.

In the case, all the parents coalition did was post MCPS documents. The parents coalition is whacky but the primary documents they post are interesting.

[Anonymous]

I see Parents' Coalition and people who are constantly on TV as getting in the way because they're so over the top they undermine the real problems that exist. I'm low on the totem pole and still know and have known for many years about a good deal of the complaints that are now getting aired, so I find it impossibly hard to believe that Dr. McKnight didn't know as well. I also don't care what the Board is paid or how part time they are. They ran for this position to do a specific job, and they need to do it. I'm hoping those closed door meetings suggest that they're waking up to the reality that neglecting those responsibilities is hurting a lot of people, tarnishing the school system's reputation and putting them in an unflattering light - negligent at best and complicit at worst. I mean, if you don't want to make the tough decisions or aren't up to the job, let others run for office instead.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just think what it takes to protect someone like Biedleman. So many people were aware of the allegations. Presumably, not all of them were his buddies. Some of them probably thought the whole situation was messed up. Did they feel empowered to complain about the people who were protecting him? Honestly if this is a case of a few bad apples, then I am Mickey Mouse. MCPS is rotten at the core. McKnight absolutely must have known, probably about Biedleman specifically but definitely about the culture that allowed him to stay. No way he's the only one. Every second that goes by without her being fired is a disgrace and an insult to teachers and students.

I agree with most of your points, however, the Board of Education bears a lot of blame as well. They blindly accepted MCPS’s decision to promote Beidleman just like they rubber stamp most of what MCPS wants them to. There’s no oversight of the Superintendent so they have been complacent in creating the toxicity within the school system that would condone school administrators who sexually harassed staff.

As concerned citizens all we can do is not support their candidacy the next time they run for re-election and support a candidate that runs against them. Same for anybody on the County Council that remains silent solidarity with Jackson Lewis and MCPS in regards to the lack of transparency and accountability.

Jackson Lewis
Even less independent

https://parentscoalitionmc.blogspot.com/2023/09/update-jackson-lewis-pc-paid-48693-and.html?m=1

Is this a credible news source or a very biased crank that is only capable of finding fault?

It's a very biased crank who is only capable of finding fault.

I get the impression that half these threads complaining about MCPS with all these vague allegations are just that Parents Coalition person.

In the case, all the parents coalition did was post MCPS documents. The parents coalition is whacky but the primary documents they post are interesting.

They made up the entire whacky Beidleman scandal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I see Parents' Coalition and people who are constantly on TV as getting in the way because they're so over the top they undermine the real problems that exist. I'm low on the totem pole and still know and have known for many years about a good deal of the complaints that are now getting aired, so I find it impossibly hard to believe that Dr. McKnight didn't know as well. I also don't care what the Board is paid or how part time they are. They ran for this position to do a specific job, and they need to do it. I'm hoping those closed door meetings suggest that they're waking up to the reality that neglecting those responsibilities is hurting a lot of people, tarnishing the school system's reputation and putting them in an unflattering light - negligent at best and complicit at worst. I mean, if you don't want to make the tough decisions or aren't up to the job, let others run for office instead.

What are the real problems and what have you done to bring them to light?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just think what it takes to protect someone like Biedleman. So many people were aware of the allegations. Presumably, not all of them were his buddies. Some of them probably thought the whole situation was messed up. Did they feel empowered to complain about the people who were protecting him? Honestly if this is a case of a few bad apples, then I am Mickey Mouse. MCPS is rotten at the core. McKnight absolutely must have known, probably about Biedleman specifically but definitely about the culture that allowed him to stay. No way he's the only one. Every second that goes by without her being fired is a disgrace and an insult to teachers and students.

I agree with most of your points, however, the Board of Education bears a lot of blame as well. They blindly accepted MCPS’s decision to promote Beidleman just like they rubber stamp most of what MCPS wants them to. There’s no oversight of the Superintendent so they have been complacent in creating the toxicity within the school system that would condone school administrators who sexually harassed staff.

As concerned citizens all we can do is not support their candidacy the next time they run for re-election and support a candidate that runs against them. Same for anybody on the County Council that remains silent solidarity with Jackson Lewis and MCPS in regards to the lack of transparency and accountability.

Jackson Lewis
Even less independent

https://parentscoalitionmc.blogspot.com/2023/09/update-jackson-lewis-pc-paid-48693-and.html?m=1

Is this a credible news source or a very biased crank that is only capable of finding fault?

It's a very biased crank who is only capable of finding fault.

I get the impression that half these threads complaining about MCPS with all these vague allegations are just that Parents Coalition person.

In the case, all the parents coalition did was post MCPS documents. The parents coalition is whacky but the primary documents they post are interesting.

They made up the entire whacky Beidleman scandal.

You missed that whole big story in The Washington Post?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just think what it takes to protect someone like Biedleman. So many people were aware of the allegations. Presumably, not all of them were his buddies. Some of them probably thought the whole situation was messed up. Did they feel empowered to complain about the people who were protecting him? Honestly if this is a case of a few bad apples, then I am Mickey Mouse. MCPS is rotten at the core. McKnight absolutely must have known, probably about Biedleman specifically but definitely about the culture that allowed him to stay. No way he's the only one. Every second that goes by without her being fired is a disgrace and an insult to teachers and students.

I agree with most of your points, however, the Board of Education bears a lot of blame as well. They blindly accepted MCPS’s decision to promote Beidleman just like they rubber stamp most of what MCPS wants them to. There’s no oversight of the Superintendent so they have been complacent in creating the toxicity within the school system that would condone school administrators who sexually harassed staff.

As concerned citizens all we can do is not support their candidacy the next time they run for re-election and support a candidate that runs against them. Same for anybody on the County Council that remains silent solidarity with Jackson Lewis and MCPS in regards to the lack of transparency and accountability.

Jackson Lewis
Even less independent

https://parentscoalitionmc.blogspot.com/2023/09/update-jackson-lewis-pc-paid-48693-and.html?m=1

Is this a credible news source or a very biased crank that is only capable of finding fault?

It's a very biased crank who is only capable of finding fault.

I get the impression that half these threads complaining about MCPS with all these vague allegations are just that Parents Coalition person.

In the case, all the parents coalition did was post MCPS documents. The parents coalition is whacky but the primary documents they post are interesting.

They made up the entire whacky Beidleman scandal.

You missed that whole big story in The Washington Post?

Obviously made up by the Parents Coalition to distrat us from the real stuff.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I see Parents' Coalition and people who are constantly on TV as getting in the way because they're so over the top they undermine the real problems that exist. I'm low on the totem pole and still know and have known for many years about a good deal of the complaints that are now getting aired, so I find it impossibly hard to believe that Dr. McKnight didn't know as well. I also don't care what the Board is paid or how part time they are. They ran for this position to do a specific job, and they need to do it. I'm hoping those closed door meetings suggest that they're waking up to the reality that neglecting those responsibilities is hurting a lot of people, tarnishing the school system's reputation and putting them in an unflattering light - negligent at best and complicit at worst. I mean, if you don't want to make the tough decisions or aren't up to the job, let others run for office instead.

What are the real problems and what have you done to bring them to light?

Many people have done a good job laying the problems out here and in the press. What I've done specifically is mainly beat my head against a brick wall. I've not been able to effect change but that is not for lack of trying. I think you'd hear that as a common refrain from others who are low in the hierarchy. I think many teachers thought they were doing the right thing and following the right procedures and had no idea their efforts would amount to nothing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I see Parents' Coalition and people who are constantly on TV as getting in the way because they're so over the top they undermine the real problems that exist. I'm low on the totem pole and still know and have known for many years about a good deal of the complaints that are now getting aired, so I find it impossibly hard to believe that Dr. McKnight didn't know as well. I also don't care what the Board is paid or how part time they are. They ran for this position to do a specific job, and they need to do it. I'm hoping those closed door meetings suggest that they're waking up to the reality that neglecting those responsibilities is hurting a lot of people, tarnishing the school system's reputation and putting them in an unflattering light - negligent at best and complicit at worst. I mean, if you don't want to make the tough decisions or aren't up to the job, let others run for office instead.

What are the real problems and what have you done to bring them to light?

Many people have done a good job laying the problems out here and in the press. What I've done specifically is mainly beat my head against a brick wall. I've not been able to effect change but that is not for lack of trying. I think you'd hear that as a common refrain from others who are low in the hierarchy. I think many teachers thought they were doing the right thing and following the right procedures and had no idea their efforts would amount to nothing.

Yet you criticize an organization that has made significants changes to MCPS over many years. You would rather have no one speak up.

You consider it “over the top” to advocate and testify for legislation to keep children from being sexually abused in schools, and for all children to be provided a free public education. You think BOE members and staff should be able to use MCPS credit cards for their personal use. Basically you don’t care about children or funding. And you blame those that do effect change for you failures.

[Anonymous]

Teachers are to blame because they can't even do their job in 40 hours per week. Each and every one of them is lazy and incompetent because they can't manage out of control students who cuss them out and act violently in the classroom. Teachers should all be fired as they obviously can't teach.

[Anonymous]

Inspector General Opens 2 Investigations on School’s Handling of Misconduct Allegations

https://www.mymcmedia.org/inspector-general-opens-2-investigations-on-schools-handling-of-misconduct-allegations/

"In a letter to Board of Education President Karla Silvestre on Thursday, Inspector General Megan Davey Limarzi wrote that one investigation will center around the school district’s process for receiving and responding to allegations of misconduct by school employees.

The other investigation focuses in on misconduct by Beidleman and allegations against him that were received since July as well as earlier complaints that were not investigated."