Whitman Teacher and Crew Coach Arrested

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This teacher has been arrested. Now we need an accounting of staff members currently working in MCPS after being subjected to a bogus "investigation."

I agree.
As the MCPS Memo pointed out (https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/uploadedFiles/childabuseandneglect/Annual%20CAN%20MEMO%20to%20BOE_Update%20Policy%20JHC%20CAN_FY20.pdf)
for FY20 (which a PP points out is relatively low because of virtual learning), this is what action MCPS took as a result of their "follow up investigation" for cases of alleged abuse and neglect by MCPS employees. (It's on page 7).
No action: 68
Conference/memo for the record: 106
Reprimand or other disciplinary letter:48
Suspension: 0
Removal from employment: 14
Pending: 35

So there are 222 cases in the "no action/conference/reprimand." Not sure how many individuals are involved (this reporting framework is quite a poor way of presenting the numbers, and has to be improved)

Thank you PP for pointing out how many complaints are made but these employees remain in place. The report you are quoting is from September 2020 in a year the school buildings closed on March 12, 2020. These numbers would have been vastly higher if students were in school buildings for the last quarter of FY20.

This is the report from MCPS for the previous year FY19:

https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/uploadedFiles/childabuseandneglect/190828%20Update%20Implementation%20Policy%20JHC(1).pdf

There were 303 employees reported. Of these reports, 282 cases received no action, a conference, or a reprimand for violating the Employee Code of Conduct but they were not removed from their position with MCPS. That means 93% of reports of abuse results in the MCPS employee remain in contact with children.

Does MCPS ever wonder why so many cases of school employees are being reported? A dream job for a child predator is a place where they have access to children and they can do anything they want without consequences.

Does MCPS ever care that they send a message to students that reports of abuse are useless because students are never believed and often are retaliated against when they come forward? Many students choose to stay silent because it’s crystal clear that the staff member will be protected by MCPS unless there’s an arrest by the police.

[Anonymous]

Based on the charging documents it appears most of the grooming and abuse occurred off school grounds. While there may have been grooming actions at the school, these activities on their own (ignoring the greater context) are generally above board.

The MCPS investigation has little teeth here since as another person said they don't have the threat of perjury, criminal charges, nor do they have subpoena powers. In this case, there is no upside for the accused to cooperate; why would a rule breaker admit to it? MCPS can't compel accused to implicate themselves yielding to sham investigations.

What do you ideally want from MCPS here? Putting it into a different context for a sec, I work for large city government; an abusive boss coercing someone using work resources and time is completely different than the same boss doing it on their personal time in public. In both cases the abuser needs to pay the price but the power of the employer is diminished when it occurs elsewhere.

I would love for abuse allegations to be taken seriously but until the investigations have actual teeth nothing will change. Now if they actually had all the evidence, the text messages, the lewd images, and still did nothing; now that's messed up. It's a no win situation, you can't fire someone on bogus accusations nor should you have to wait for criminal charges to act. I wonder how much power the union has here?

Like any other big organization, MCPS only cares about protecting MCPS.

[Anonymous]

What kind of training do the DCI investigators have? Do they even know how to conduct a proper investigation? I’m going to guess they don’t. Also, it’s cheaper to keep a sketchy employee than to hire a new one, as long as no one is any the wiser, and often accused staff are well-liked and well-respected teachers and coaches. They may have protection and advocacy from their school communities, including parents. That gives MCPS some cover. We see that with the Whitman case. Additionally, teachers who are returned to the classroom with only a reprimand don’t get any special additional training, they only have to review whatever training materials they already were supposed to read or view. It’s gross and the perfect petri dish for churning out groomers and abusers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Bumped into my neighbor today whose daughter is on the crew team. She said the crew team knew about this 3 years ago and reported it to MCPS and CPS, and they investigated and said they could find no credible evidence of wrongdoing.

Maybe he got sloppy after that with things like text messages (you can see copies in the indictment) and that's how he finally got caught.

Some misstatements in here. The “crew team” didn’t know anything.

Per the Bethesda Beat article, a rumor was reported to the crew board in 2018. They reported it to mcps and cps (and I think the article also said they reported it to some outside oversight organization?) and no evidence was found supporting the rumor. So the board relied on that when renewing his contract, which yes with hindsight was a bad decision, but do we want people to be able to be fired for rumors alone?

Also remember that the members of the 2018 board are likely not the present members of the board who might have not even known about the 2018 rumor.

This shows how easy it can be for predators to get away with this stuff. I agree with you that he got sloppy by the texts. Most importantly the brave victims came forward.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Here is a question I have reading through these comments.

Bethesda is chock full of well to do entitled folks whose general attitude is rules, regulations, laws, and processes don't apply to them on account of their wealth in society.

Many Bethesda people are K Street lobbyists whose livelihood depends on finding loopholes, writing new loopholes or how to extract their interests after breaking the law. They will write Whitman teachers demanding they change their kid's grade because it impacts their ability to apply for Harvard.

When something bad happens or a mistake is made by a Whitman student, the MO of the Bethesda community for the past three decades is to pass the buck, blame someone else, rig the process and buy the best lawyer and go to court. Say things along the lines of, "my perfect angel could not have done ____ and I fear this will impact their chances at Yale."

After the 1994 drunk driving crash on River Road (going toward the Beltway, right side of road after Wilson Ln), Dr Marco installed a zero tolerance policy which stated if you drink and come to campus you get banned for a year from school activities including graduation. A student tested this in their senior year and got ZT. Well their parents got the best lawyer money could buy and took the school to court and prevailed, they walked the stage.

My question is why are people on this board so angry at the actions of MCPS policy or process, CPS, the police department, the organization that employed Shipley as coach? You can't have it both ways where you get angry that processes and rules aren't being followed when many in the Whitman community seek out ways to bend rules and processes when it suits them.

What does this have to do about a predatory coach and teenager that was allegedly raped? I am curious what your theory is about the former security guard at Richard Montgomery HS?

All I can say is that you and the people amening this have issues.

There are multiple layers to the onion here, and multiple discussions going on here. This is in reference to folks complaining that the process or protocols weren't followed by MCPS, CPS, Safesport, Whitman Crew, etc.

One thing is for sure, even though he is not from Bethesda, Kirkland's behavior fits the Bethesda culture. Clearly bad actions and decisions can be excused with money, imbued with a sense of rules not applying to them. I think its the hypocrisy going on here, Bethesda people sowing rage at rules and processes not being followed but at the same time have no issue throwing people under the bus when it doesnt suit their own professional or personal needs.

Personally, I want accountability and I hope Kirkland pays the price. I am hopeful the District of Columbia court will have a backbone unlike say the Moco courts which are lax.

It sickens me to see how parents and boosters turned a blind eye just so boats could go fast. At what cost??

"The Bethesda culture"? This is incredible. Are there other "cultures" unique to parts of this county that I should be aware of? What is the Rockville culture? What about Aspen Hill? Perhaps you could tell me about Wheaton or Damascus? I am all ears.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Here is a question I have reading through these comments.

Bethesda is chock full of well to do entitled folks whose general attitude is rules, regulations, laws, and processes don't apply to them on account of their wealth in society.

Many Bethesda people are K Street lobbyists whose livelihood depends on finding loopholes, writing new loopholes or how to extract their interests after breaking the law. They will write Whitman teachers demanding they change their kid's grade because it impacts their ability to apply for Harvard.

When something bad happens or a mistake is made by a Whitman student, the MO of the Bethesda community for the past three decades is to pass the buck, blame someone else, rig the process and buy the best lawyer and go to court. Say things along the lines of, "my perfect angel could not have done ____ and I fear this will impact their chances at Yale."

After the 1994 drunk driving crash on River Road (going toward the Beltway, right side of road after Wilson Ln), Dr Marco installed a zero tolerance policy which stated if you drink and come to campus you get banned for a year from school activities including graduation. A student tested this in their senior year and got ZT. Well their parents got the best lawyer money could buy and took the school to court and prevailed, they walked the stage.

My question is why are people on this board so angry at the actions of MCPS policy or process, CPS, the police department, the organization that employed Shipley as coach? You can't have it both ways where you get angry that processes and rules aren't being followed when many in the Whitman community seek out ways to bend rules and processes when it suits them.

What does this have to do about a predatory coach and teenager that was allegedly raped? I am curious what your theory is about the former security guard at Richard Montgomery HS?

All I can say is that you and the people amening this have issues.

There are multiple layers to the onion here, and multiple discussions going on here. This is in reference to folks complaining that the process or protocols weren't followed by MCPS, CPS, Safesport, Whitman Crew, etc.

One thing is for sure, even though he is not from Bethesda, Kirkland's behavior fits the Bethesda culture. Clearly bad actions and decisions can be excused with money, imbued with a sense of rules not applying to them. I think its the hypocrisy going on here, Bethesda people sowing rage at rules and processes not being followed but at the same time have no issue throwing people under the bus when it doesnt suit their own professional or personal needs.

Personally, I want accountability and I hope Kirkland pays the price. I am hopeful the District of Columbia court will have a backbone unlike say the Moco courts which are lax.

It sickens me to see how parents and boosters turned a blind eye just so boats could go fast. At what cost??

"The Bethesda culture"? This is incredible. Are there other "cultures" unique to parts of this county that I should be aware of? What is the Rockville culture? What about Aspen Hill? Perhaps you could tell me about Wheaton or Damascus? I am all ears.

I think they are referring to the lack of personal accountability that runs rampant in Bethesda and by extension at Whitman. Kid takes a test, they get an 87 on it because they didnt study for it. The next day, parent emails the teacher attempting to badger the teacher to change the grade. Does every parent do this, no but according to several Whitman teachers, they get dozens of similar requests per week, especially kids in honors or AP classes. Every year or so there is at least one prominent story of a Whitman student doing something they knew they should not have such as getting drunk then driving, going to a football game drunk, sexual assault, racist graffiti, robbing something, cheating on a test, and in many of these cases they eventually get away with it or get lightly punished. In an effort to not imperil their child's college application, Whitman parents have been known to make mistakes disappear.

Bethesda has an extremely high density of highly compensated, well educated professionals infused with East Coast sensibilities (where you went to college is super important, one upping your neighbors with better schools, more successful kids, vacations is a sport). Other similar places include Oak Park, Kirkland and Bellevue (to a lesser extent), Brookline, Bergen and Westchester Counties. When you have lots of rich competitive privileged people in one place, you end up with some who use their wealth to get themselves or their children out of mistakes they have made. It is not unique to Bethesda.

Not everyone in Bethesda is this way but there are enough who are.

Rockville, Wheaton, Damascus, and Aspen Hill don't have the same concentration of super wealthy residents who engage in this type of behavior.

How would you describe Bethesda?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Here is a question I have reading through these comments.

Bethesda is chock full of well to do entitled folks whose general attitude is rules, regulations, laws, and processes don't apply to them on account of their wealth in society.

Many Bethesda people are K Street lobbyists whose livelihood depends on finding loopholes, writing new loopholes or how to extract their interests after breaking the law. They will write Whitman teachers demanding they change their kid's grade because it impacts their ability to apply for Harvard.

When something bad happens or a mistake is made by a Whitman student, the MO of the Bethesda community for the past three decades is to pass the buck, blame someone else, rig the process and buy the best lawyer and go to court. Say things along the lines of, "my perfect angel could not have done ____ and I fear this will impact their chances at Yale."

After the 1994 drunk driving crash on River Road (going toward the Beltway, right side of road after Wilson Ln), Dr Marco installed a zero tolerance policy which stated if you drink and come to campus you get banned for a year from school activities including graduation. A student tested this in their senior year and got ZT. Well their parents got the best lawyer money could buy and took the school to court and prevailed, they walked the stage.

My question is why are people on this board so angry at the actions of MCPS policy or process, CPS, the police department, the organization that employed Shipley as coach? You can't have it both ways where you get angry that processes and rules aren't being followed when many in the Whitman community seek out ways to bend rules and processes when it suits them.

What does this have to do about a predatory coach and teenager that was allegedly raped? I am curious what your theory is about the former security guard at Richard Montgomery HS?

All I can say is that you and the people amening this have issues.

There are multiple layers to the onion here, and multiple discussions going on here. This is in reference to folks complaining that the process or protocols weren't followed by MCPS, CPS, Safesport, Whitman Crew, etc.

One thing is for sure, even though he is not from Bethesda, Kirkland's behavior fits the Bethesda culture. Clearly bad actions and decisions can be excused with money, imbued with a sense of rules not applying to them. I think its the hypocrisy going on here, Bethesda people sowing rage at rules and processes not being followed but at the same time have no issue throwing people under the bus when it doesnt suit their own professional or personal needs.

Personally, I want accountability and I hope Kirkland pays the price. I am hopeful the District of Columbia court will have a backbone unlike say the Moco courts which are lax.

It sickens me to see how parents and boosters turned a blind eye just so boats could go fast. At what cost??

"The Bethesda culture"? This is incredible. Are there other "cultures" unique to parts of this county that I should be aware of? What is the Rockville culture? What about Aspen Hill? Perhaps you could tell me about Wheaton or Damascus? I am all ears.

I think they are referring to the lack of personal accountability that runs rampant in Bethesda and by extension at Whitman. Kid takes a test, they get an 87 on it because they didnt study for it. The next day, parent emails the teacher attempting to badger the teacher to change the grade. Does every parent do this, no but according to several Whitman teachers, they get dozens of similar requests per week, especially kids in honors or AP classes. Every year or so there is at least one prominent story of a Whitman student doing something they knew they should not have such as getting drunk then driving, going to a football game drunk, sexual assault, racist graffiti, robbing something, cheating on a test, and in many of these cases they eventually get away with it or get lightly punished. In an effort to not imperil their child's college application, Whitman parents have been known to make mistakes disappear.

Bethesda has an extremely high density of highly compensated, well educated professionals infused with East Coast sensibilities (where you went to college is super important, one upping your neighbors with better schools, more successful kids, vacations is a sport). Other similar places include Oak Park, Kirkland and Bellevue (to a lesser extent), Brookline, Bergen and Westchester Counties. When you have lots of rich competitive privileged people in one place, you end up with some who use their wealth to get themselves or their children out of mistakes they have made. It is not unique to Bethesda.

Not everyone in Bethesda is this way but there are enough who are.

Rockville, Wheaton, Damascus, and Aspen Hill don't have the same concentration of super wealthy residents who engage in this type of behavior.

How would you describe Bethesda?

Oh honey, We make just as much as you, sometimes more. We don't brag about it and have different priorities. I don't need an overpriced house at an overinflated public school. I know what those schools are like as I went to them. I do need enough savings to comfortably pay cash for college and graduate school. Our kids are in the same activities as yours. Our kids are in the same AP and other classes as yours.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Here is a question I have reading through these comments.

Bethesda is chock full of well to do entitled folks whose general attitude is rules, regulations, laws, and processes don't apply to them on account of their wealth in society.

Many Bethesda people are K Street lobbyists whose livelihood depends on finding loopholes, writing new loopholes or how to extract their interests after breaking the law. They will write Whitman teachers demanding they change their kid's grade because it impacts their ability to apply for Harvard.

When something bad happens or a mistake is made by a Whitman student, the MO of the Bethesda community for the past three decades is to pass the buck, blame someone else, rig the process and buy the best lawyer and go to court. Say things along the lines of, "my perfect angel could not have done ____ and I fear this will impact their chances at Yale."

After the 1994 drunk driving crash on River Road (going toward the Beltway, right side of road after Wilson Ln), Dr Marco installed a zero tolerance policy which stated if you drink and come to campus you get banned for a year from school activities including graduation. A student tested this in their senior year and got ZT. Well their parents got the best lawyer money could buy and took the school to court and prevailed, they walked the stage.

My question is why are people on this board so angry at the actions of MCPS policy or process, CPS, the police department, the organization that employed Shipley as coach? You can't have it both ways where you get angry that processes and rules aren't being followed when many in the Whitman community seek out ways to bend rules and processes when it suits them.

What does this have to do about a predatory coach and teenager that was allegedly raped? I am curious what your theory is about the former security guard at Richard Montgomery HS?

All I can say is that you and the people amening this have issues.

There are multiple layers to the onion here, and multiple discussions going on here. This is in reference to folks complaining that the process or protocols weren't followed by MCPS, CPS, Safesport, Whitman Crew, etc.

One thing is for sure, even though he is not from Bethesda, Kirkland's behavior fits the Bethesda culture. Clearly bad actions and decisions can be excused with money, imbued with a sense of rules not applying to them. I think its the hypocrisy going on here, Bethesda people sowing rage at rules and processes not being followed but at the same time have no issue throwing people under the bus when it doesnt suit their own professional or personal needs.

Personally, I want accountability and I hope Kirkland pays the price. I am hopeful the District of Columbia court will have a backbone unlike say the Moco courts which are lax.

It sickens me to see how parents and boosters turned a blind eye just so boats could go fast. At what cost??

"The Bethesda culture"? This is incredible. Are there other "cultures" unique to parts of this county that I should be aware of? What is the Rockville culture? What about Aspen Hill? Perhaps you could tell me about Wheaton or Damascus? I am all ears.

I think they are referring to the lack of personal accountability that runs rampant in Bethesda and by extension at Whitman. Kid takes a test, they get an 87 on it because they didnt study for it. The next day, parent emails the teacher attempting to badger the teacher to change the grade. Does every parent do this, no but according to several Whitman teachers, they get dozens of similar requests per week, especially kids in honors or AP classes. Every year or so there is at least one prominent story of a Whitman student doing something they knew they should not have such as getting drunk then driving, going to a football game drunk, sexual assault, racist graffiti, robbing something, cheating on a test, and in many of these cases they eventually get away with it or get lightly punished. In an effort to not imperil their child's college application, Whitman parents have been known to make mistakes disappear.

Bethesda has an extremely high density of highly compensated, well educated professionals infused with East Coast sensibilities (where you went to college is super important, one upping your neighbors with better schools, more successful kids, vacations is a sport). Other similar places include Oak Park, Kirkland and Bellevue (to a lesser extent), Brookline, Bergen and Westchester Counties. When you have lots of rich competitive privileged people in one place, you end up with some who use their wealth to get themselves or their children out of mistakes they have made. It is not unique to Bethesda.

Not everyone in Bethesda is this way but there are enough who are.

Rockville, Wheaton, Damascus, and Aspen Hill don't have the same concentration of super wealthy residents who engage in this type of behavior.

How would you describe Bethesda?

You have concocted a fantasy in your own mind. This absolutely does not happen at any MCPS high school. Furthermore, I am not here to defend Bethesda, but I would venture to guess that if kids are excelling at school and in activities outside of school, that would not be possible without responsibility and personal accountability. You seem to think that these kids are successful because they cheat, instead of because they work hard and manage their time.

But lets say that you are right and that there is this pathology of affluenza of a "lack of personal accountability" (sorry that makes me laugh every time is read it) unique to Bethesda that led to this outcome. The question that I have that has not been addressed is then, what is the pathology of Richard Montgomery HS that led to a student having a sexual relationship with a security guard? Is there an answer for that question? Or was it just a person attaining a position of trust in Rockville? No conspiracy of pathological culture there.

But if you are right and these pathological cultures exist that are unique to areas and school, it would be impossible that Bethesda would be the only place that had one. So it would be great to hear how these area pathologies influence in and out of school behavior in other areas. What is the pathology of kids coming to school unprepared and not doing their homework? What do we make of high school kids getting murdered over drug deals? Or getting assaulted over a pair of sneakers? Do we develop fantastical theories about these kids and their parents?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Here is a question I have reading through these comments.

Bethesda is chock full of well to do entitled folks whose general attitude is rules, regulations, laws, and processes don't apply to them on account of their wealth in society.

Many Bethesda people are K Street lobbyists whose livelihood depends on finding loopholes, writing new loopholes or how to extract their interests after breaking the law. They will write Whitman teachers demanding they change their kid's grade because it impacts their ability to apply for Harvard.

When something bad happens or a mistake is made by a Whitman student, the MO of the Bethesda community for the past three decades is to pass the buck, blame someone else, rig the process and buy the best lawyer and go to court. Say things along the lines of, "my perfect angel could not have done ____ and I fear this will impact their chances at Yale."

After the 1994 drunk driving crash on River Road (going toward the Beltway, right side of road after Wilson Ln), Dr Marco installed a zero tolerance policy which stated if you drink and come to campus you get banned for a year from school activities including graduation. A student tested this in their senior year and got ZT. Well their parents got the best lawyer money could buy and took the school to court and prevailed, they walked the stage.

My question is why are people on this board so angry at the actions of MCPS policy or process, CPS, the police department, the organization that employed Shipley as coach? You can't have it both ways where you get angry that processes and rules aren't being followed when many in the Whitman community seek out ways to bend rules and processes when it suits them.

What does this have to do about a predatory coach and teenager that was allegedly raped? I am curious what your theory is about the former security guard at Richard Montgomery HS?

All I can say is that you and the people amening this have issues.

There are multiple layers to the onion here, and multiple discussions going on here. This is in reference to folks complaining that the process or protocols weren't followed by MCPS, CPS, Safesport, Whitman Crew, etc.

One thing is for sure, even though he is not from Bethesda, Kirkland's behavior fits the Bethesda culture. Clearly bad actions and decisions can be excused with money, imbued with a sense of rules not applying to them. I think its the hypocrisy going on here, Bethesda people sowing rage at rules and processes not being followed but at the same time have no issue throwing people under the bus when it doesnt suit their own professional or personal needs.

Personally, I want accountability and I hope Kirkland pays the price. I am hopeful the District of Columbia court will have a backbone unlike say the Moco courts which are lax.

It sickens me to see how parents and boosters turned a blind eye just so boats could go fast. At what cost??

"The Bethesda culture"? This is incredible. Are there other "cultures" unique to parts of this county that I should be aware of? What is the Rockville culture? What about Aspen Hill? Perhaps you could tell me about Wheaton or Damascus? I am all ears.

I think they are referring to the lack of personal accountability that runs rampant in Bethesda and by extension at Whitman. Kid takes a test, they get an 87 on it because they didnt study for it. The next day, parent emails the teacher attempting to badger the teacher to change the grade. Does every parent do this, no but according to several Whitman teachers, they get dozens of similar requests per week, especially kids in honors or AP classes. Every year or so there is at least one prominent story of a Whitman student doing something they knew they should not have such as getting drunk then driving, going to a football game drunk, sexual assault, racist graffiti, robbing something, cheating on a test, and in many of these cases they eventually get away with it or get lightly punished. In an effort to not imperil their child's college application, Whitman parents have been known to make mistakes disappear.

Bethesda has an extremely high density of highly compensated, well educated professionals infused with East Coast sensibilities (where you went to college is super important, one upping your neighbors with better schools, more successful kids, vacations is a sport). Other similar places include Oak Park, Kirkland and Bellevue (to a lesser extent), Brookline, Bergen and Westchester Counties. When you have lots of rich competitive privileged people in one place, you end up with some who use their wealth to get themselves or their children out of mistakes they have made. It is not unique to Bethesda.

Not everyone in Bethesda is this way but there are enough who are.

Rockville, Wheaton, Damascus, and Aspen Hill don't have the same concentration of super wealthy residents who engage in this type of behavior.

How would you describe Bethesda?

Wow, sounds like the mafia. What I don't get is that if they are so good at making mistakes disappear, how are you finding out about all of the bad things that their kids are doing?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Here is a question I have reading through these comments.

Bethesda is chock full of well to do entitled folks whose general attitude is rules, regulations, laws, and processes don't apply to them on account of their wealth in society.

Many Bethesda people are K Street lobbyists whose livelihood depends on finding loopholes, writing new loopholes or how to extract their interests after breaking the law. They will write Whitman teachers demanding they change their kid's grade because it impacts their ability to apply for Harvard.

When something bad happens or a mistake is made by a Whitman student, the MO of the Bethesda community for the past three decades is to pass the buck, blame someone else, rig the process and buy the best lawyer and go to court. Say things along the lines of, "my perfect angel could not have done ____ and I fear this will impact their chances at Yale."

After the 1994 drunk driving crash on River Road (going toward the Beltway, right side of road after Wilson Ln), Dr Marco installed a zero tolerance policy which stated if you drink and come to campus you get banned for a year from school activities including graduation. A student tested this in their senior year and got ZT. Well their parents got the best lawyer money could buy and took the school to court and prevailed, they walked the stage.

My question is why are people on this board so angry at the actions of MCPS policy or process, CPS, the police department, the organization that employed Shipley as coach? You can't have it both ways where you get angry that processes and rules aren't being followed when many in the Whitman community seek out ways to bend rules and processes when it suits them.

What does this have to do about a predatory coach and teenager that was allegedly raped? I am curious what your theory is about the former security guard at Richard Montgomery HS?

All I can say is that you and the people amening this have issues.

There are multiple layers to the onion here, and multiple discussions going on here. This is in reference to folks complaining that the process or protocols weren't followed by MCPS, CPS, Safesport, Whitman Crew, etc.

One thing is for sure, even though he is not from Bethesda, Kirkland's behavior fits the Bethesda culture. Clearly bad actions and decisions can be excused with money, imbued with a sense of rules not applying to them. I think its the hypocrisy going on here, Bethesda people sowing rage at rules and processes not being followed but at the same time have no issue throwing people under the bus when it doesnt suit their own professional or personal needs.

Personally, I want accountability and I hope Kirkland pays the price. I am hopeful the District of Columbia court will have a backbone unlike say the Moco courts which are lax.

It sickens me to see how parents and boosters turned a blind eye just so boats could go fast. At what cost??

"The Bethesda culture"? This is incredible. Are there other "cultures" unique to parts of this county that I should be aware of? What is the Rockville culture? What about Aspen Hill? Perhaps you could tell me about Wheaton or Damascus? I am all ears.

I think they are referring to the lack of personal accountability that runs rampant in Bethesda and by extension at Whitman. Kid takes a test, they get an 87 on it because they didnt study for it. The next day, parent emails the teacher attempting to badger the teacher to change the grade. Does every parent do this, no but according to several Whitman teachers, they get dozens of similar requests per week, especially kids in honors or AP classes. Every year or so there is at least one prominent story of a Whitman student doing something they knew they should not have such as getting drunk then driving, going to a football game drunk, sexual assault, racist graffiti, robbing something, cheating on a test, and in many of these cases they eventually get away with it or get lightly punished. In an effort to not imperil their child's college application, Whitman parents have been known to make mistakes disappear.

Bethesda has an extremely high density of highly compensated, well educated professionals infused with East Coast sensibilities (where you went to college is super important, one upping your neighbors with better schools, more successful kids, vacations is a sport). Other similar places include Oak Park, Kirkland and Bellevue (to a lesser extent), Brookline, Bergen and Westchester Counties. When you have lots of rich competitive privileged people in one place, you end up with some who use their wealth to get themselves or their children out of mistakes they have made. It is not unique to Bethesda.

Not everyone in Bethesda is this way but there are enough who are.

Rockville, Wheaton, Damascus, and Aspen Hill don't have the same concentration of super wealthy residents who engage in this type of behavior.

How would you describe Bethesda?

Wow, sounds like the mafia. What I don't get is that if they are so good at making mistakes disappear, how are you finding out about all of the bad things that their kids are doing?

IMO, ascribing Shipley's ability to get away with what he did to the "moneyed" atmosphere in Bethesda hides what is really the true culture and applicable to all of MoCo and the nation -- the culture of impunity that surrounds sexual harassment and assault whether it is committed by the wealthy or poor or students or adults. Shipley got away with what he did because he used his position for years to groom people and engage in activities that were viewed as "not criminal". That is the core of this -- you can do many things to a girl and, frankly, unless it rises to the level of forceable rape with hard evidence, the perpetrator will go free or get a very light sentence. (And even if forceable rape with evidence, the perpetrator will still often get off or get a light sentence.)

Over the past few years, girls at Whitman and other MCPS schools, emboldened by the public #MeToo movement, have repeatedly reported sexualized harassment, bullying and assaults, which have largely gone unpunished. This is the culture we need to be concerned about. It doesn't have to do with money; it has to do with sex discrimination in all forms at all levels.

For those that talk about reporting to an Inspector General -- MoCo already has a federally mandated Title IX coordinator. Any concerns about current or past sex discrimination or should be reported to the Title IX coordinator. Anything that could rise to a crime (any kind of touching anywhere) should be reported to the police as well.

[Anonymous]

You have concocted a fantasy in your own mind. This absolutely does not happen at any MCPS high school. Furthermore, I am not here to defend Bethesda, but I would venture to guess that if kids are excelling at school and in activities outside of school, that would not be possible without responsibility and personal accountability. You seem to think that these kids are successful because they cheat, instead of because they work hard and manage their time.

But lets say that you are right and that there is this pathology of affluenza of a "lack of personal accountability" (sorry that makes me laugh every time is read it) unique to Bethesda that led to this outcome. The question that I have that has not been addressed is then, what is the pathology of Richard Montgomery HS that led to a student having a sexual relationship with a security guard? Is there an answer for that question? Or was it just a person attaining a position of trust in Rockville? No conspiracy of pathological culture there.

But if you are right and these pathological cultures exist that are unique to areas and school, it would be impossible that Bethesda would be the only place that had one. So it would be great to hear how these area pathologies influence in and out of school behavior in other areas. What is the pathology of kids coming to school unprepared and not doing their homework? What do we make of high school kids getting murdered over drug deals? Or getting assaulted over a pair of sneakers? Do we develop fantastical theories about these kids and their parents?


Are you saying that Whitman parents do not email teachers in an attempt to change grades? Or badger them otherwise? Parent meddling is a theme from elementary school on, and while it isnt unique to Bethesda, it does happen.

I think it is safe to say most successful Whitman students do not cheat. Whitman students do work hard and manage their time well, they are successful in part due to crippling pressure from their parents who are successful in life and want the same from their kids--not to mention peer pressure. To quote Dr Marco from 2001, "you need to do well on your PSATs or else you may end up at Montgomery College."

Cynical me says Bethesda parents use their children to one up other Bethesda parents. Being on the crew team is a vehicle to this, scholarships, elite college admission, and networking opportunities are all possible outcomes. I think this may be why they powers that be were willing to look the other way for so long.

And yes, bad actors and bad things happen everywhere, it isn't unique to Bethesda. Every place in the world has their own set of issues. Affluenza can be found in any place with a high concentration of affluent people, Bethesda is not unique in this. But it is hard to ignore the vocal minority who games the system, like manufacturing learning disabilities so they get more time on standardized tests or parents who buy multiple BMWs for their kids, is this everyone...no, and is Bethesda the only place this happens, no.

[Anonymous]

You have concocted a fantasy in your own mind. This absolutely does not happen at any MCPS high school. Furthermore, I am not here to defend Bethesda, but I would venture to guess that if kids are excelling at school and in activities outside of school, that would not be possible without responsibility and personal accountability. You seem to think that these kids are successful because they cheat, instead of because they work hard and manage their time.

But lets say that you are right and that there is this pathology of affluenza of a "lack of personal accountability" (sorry that makes me laugh every time is read it) unique to Bethesda that led to this outcome. The question that I have that has not been addressed is then, what is the pathology of Richard Montgomery HS that led to a student having a sexual relationship with a security guard? Is there an answer for that question? Or was it just a person attaining a position of trust in Rockville? No conspiracy of pathological culture there.

But if you are right and these pathological cultures exist that are unique to areas and school, it would be impossible that Bethesda would be the only place that had one. So it would be great to hear how these area pathologies influence in and out of school behavior in other areas. What is the pathology of kids coming to school unprepared and not doing their homework? What do we make of high school kids getting murdered over drug deals? Or getting assaulted over a pair of sneakers? Do we develop fantastical theories about these kids and their parents?

Corrected the formatting.



Are you saying that Whitman parents do not email teachers in an attempt to change grades? Or badger them otherwise? Parent meddling is a theme from elementary school on, and while it isnt unique to Bethesda, it does happen.

I think it is safe to say most successful Whitman students do not cheat. Whitman students do work hard and manage their time well, they are successful in part due to crippling pressure from their parents who are successful in life and want the same from their kids--not to mention peer pressure. To quote Dr Marco from 2001, "you need to do well on your PSATs or else you may end up at Montgomery College."

Cynical me says Bethesda parents use their children to one up other Bethesda parents. Being on the crew team is a vehicle to this, scholarships, elite college admission, and networking opportunities are all possible outcomes. I think this may be why they powers that be were willing to look the other way for so long.

And yes, bad actors and bad things happen everywhere, it isn't unique to Bethesda. Every place in the world has their own set of issues. Affluenza can be found in any place with a high concentration of affluent people, Bethesda is not unique in this. But it is hard to ignore the vocal minority who games the system, like manufacturing learning disabilities so they get more time on standardized tests or parents who buy multiple BMWs for their kids, is this everyone...no, and is Bethesda the only place this happens, no.

[Anonymous]

I see the acronym DCI posted a lot in this thread, but can’t find the Department of Compliance and Investigations on the MCPS website. It appears that Central Office had restructuring and renaming of offices. I am wondering if it’s hard for parents and students to navigate the bureaucracy to alert MCPS of a problem or if there is staff to actually look into complaints.

Can someone please post a link to the office who conducts the MCPS investigations when a teacher is reported? Thanks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I see the acronym DCI posted a lot in this thread, but can’t find the Department of Compliance and Investigations on the MCPS website. It appears that Central Office had restructuring and renaming of offices. I am wondering if it’s hard for parents and students to navigate the bureaucracy to alert MCPS of a problem or if there is staff to actually look into complaints.

Can someone please post a link to the office who conducts the MCPS investigations when a teacher is reported? Thanks.

Department of Compliance and Investigations:
Reports and allegations concerning MCPS Employees will immediately involve the Department of Compliance and Investigations. They can be reached at [e-mail]

Simmons, Ms. Michaele O
Department of Compliance and Investigations (Organizational Chart)
Director II
240-740-2888
[e-mail]

Latchana, Mr. Neil
Department of Compliance and Investigations (Organizational Chart)
Investigation Specialist
240-740-2888
[e-mail]

Zarei, Ms. Nina
Department of Compliance and Investigations (Organizational Chart)
Investigation Specialist
240-740-2888
[e-mail]

For Title IX (includes student on student abuse)
Phone: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
Email: [e-mail]
Address: Carver Educational Services Center
850 Hungerford Drive, Room 162
Rockville, Maryland 20850

Mr. Gregory S. Edmundson
Director, Student Welfare and Compliance
Districtwide Title IX Coordinator
Districtwide Child Abuse and Neglect Contact

Mrs. Kathleen R. Greene
Senior Specialist, Student Welfare and Compliance

Ms. Heather Dublinske
Coordinator, Student Welfare and Compliance
Districtwide COVID-19 Contact

Ms. Linda Hogentogler
Administrative Secretary, Student Welfare and Compliance

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I see the acronym DCI posted a lot in this thread, but can’t find the Department of Compliance and Investigations on the MCPS website. It appears that Central Office had restructuring and renaming of offices. I am wondering if it’s hard for parents and students to navigate the bureaucracy to alert MCPS of a problem or if there is staff to actually look into complaints.

Can someone please post a link to the office who conducts the MCPS investigations when a teacher is reported? Thanks.

Department of Compliance and Investigations:
Reports and allegations concerning MCPS Employees will immediately involve the Department of Compliance and Investigations. They can be reached at [e-mail]

Simmons, Ms. Michaele O
Department of Compliance and Investigations (Organizational Chart)
Director II
240-740-2888
[e-mail]

Latchana, Mr. Neil
Department of Compliance and Investigations (Organizational Chart)
Investigation Specialist
240-740-2888
[e-mail]

Zarei, Ms. Nina
Department of Compliance and Investigations (Organizational Chart)
Investigation Specialist
240-740-2888
[e-mail]

For Title IX (includes student on student abuse)
Phone: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
Email: [e-mail]
Address: Carver Educational Services Center
850 Hungerford Drive, Room 162
Rockville, Maryland 20850

Mr. Gregory S. Edmundson
Director, Student Welfare and Compliance
Districtwide Title IX Coordinator
Districtwide Child Abuse and Neglect Contact

Mrs. Kathleen R. Greene
Senior Specialist, Student Welfare and Compliance

Ms. Heather Dublinske
Coordinator, Student Welfare and Compliance
Districtwide COVID-19 Contact

Ms. Linda Hogentogler
Administrative Secretary, Student Welfare and Compliance

Thanks. Next question, how should a parent report violations of the Employee Code of Conduct but the acts are not criminal or child abuse? Is there a form, person or process a parents are supposed to follow so the acts can be investigated?