MoCo school board ordered to pay $518K to former B-CC High teacher accused of racism

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Unbelievable. Glad the teacher got a favorable resolution after all that MCPS induced trauma but sad that there is 500k less going into our kids’ educations next year.

Does the MCPS Board have a budget line item to pay out lawsuits for its incompetence or do we just expect class sizes to be bigger next year?

This. The BOE needs to be held accountable as does Taylor and central office.

I’m just worried more lawsuits are coming as the political climate is very favorable to them.

Meanwhile, I have colleagues who are racist and there doesn’t seem to be anyway to dislodge them from positions working with our most vulnerable students.

Don't blame this on the "political climate." The BCC principal admitted he fabricated evidence defaming a teacher on the stand. The jury didn't even have to deliberate for more than a few hours. MCPS had a crap case. But yes, I would be worried if this is the level of competence MCPS has. So much of our education tax dollars are going to go to pay out people who have legit claims of being harmed by MCPS.

Then why did the jury absolve him of responsibility?

Because he said a whole lot of people at MCPS approved his statement that fabricated evidence. The jury found the MCPS Board responsible.

Well, it's a litlle more Russian doll than that. The jury found that MCPS is responsible and that the board is responsible for MCPS.

Yup, I get why they found the MCPS Board responsible. Ultimately the buck (or 500K bucks in this case) stops with them. But how do you specifically absolve Mooney who did everything? But the only article is from Bethesda Magazine and there's zero explanation about why Mooney walked out without any blame.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Unbelievable. Glad the teacher got a favorable resolution after all that MCPS induced trauma but sad that there is 500k less going into our kids’ educations next year.

Does the MCPS Board have a budget line item to pay out lawsuits for its incompetence or do we just expect class sizes to be bigger next year?

This. The BOE needs to be held accountable as does Taylor and central office.

I’m just worried more lawsuits are coming as the political climate is very favorable to them.

Meanwhile, I have colleagues who are racist and there doesn’t seem to be anyway to dislodge them from positions working with our most vulnerable students.

Don't blame this on the "political climate." The BCC principal admitted he fabricated evidence defaming a teacher on the stand. The jury didn't even have to deliberate for more than a few hours. MCPS had a crap case. But yes, I would be worried if this is the level of competence MCPS has. So much of our education tax dollars are going to go to pay out people who have legit claims of being harmed by MCPS.

Then why did the jury absolve him of responsibility?

Because he said a whole lot of people at MCPS approved his statement that fabricated evidence. The jury found the MCPS Board responsible.

How would they know though

The BOE is responsible for ensuring the superintendent has structures and people who are knowledgable, competent and responsible.

In this case, this ENTIRE chain of people failed:

- Chief of Schools Peter Moran
- Associate Superintendent Sean McGee

These people were responsible for supervising Mooney and reviewed his comms.

The BOE knew about McGee's role in this incident and DESPITE this, they just reconfirmed him as Associate Superintendent this school year.

And they reappointed Peter Moran as chief of schools:

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Unbelievable. Glad the teacher got a favorable resolution after all that MCPS induced trauma but sad that there is 500k less going into our kids’ educations next year.

Does the MCPS Board have a budget line item to pay out lawsuits for its incompetence or do we just expect class sizes to be bigger next year?

This. The BOE needs to be held accountable as does Taylor and central office.

I’m just worried more lawsuits are coming as the political climate is very favorable to them.

Meanwhile, I have colleagues who are racist and there doesn’t seem to be anyway to dislodge them from positions working with our most vulnerable students.

Don't blame this on the "political climate." The BCC principal admitted he fabricated evidence defaming a teacher on the stand. The jury didn't even have to deliberate for more than a few hours. MCPS had a crap case. But yes, I would be worried if this is the level of competence MCPS has. So much of our education tax dollars are going to go to pay out people who have legit claims of being harmed by MCPS.

Then why did the jury absolve him of responsibility?

Because he said a whole lot of people at MCPS approved his statement that fabricated evidence. The jury found the MCPS Board responsible.

Well, it's a litlle more Russian doll than that. The jury found that MCPS is responsible and that the board is responsible for MCPS.

Yup, I get why they found the MCPS Board responsible. Ultimately the buck (or 500K bucks in this case) stops with them. But how do you specifically absolve Mooney who did everything? But the only article is from Bethesda Magazine and there's zero explanation about why Mooney walked out without any blame.

I think it's because the MCPS chain of command was involved and had full knowledge.

If Mooney had gone rogue and acted alone without anyone else in MCPS knowing, then maybe he could have been held individually responsible. But in this case, it was truly a systemic response and failure so the system gets the blame, not the individual.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Unbelievable. Glad the teacher got a favorable resolution after all that MCPS induced trauma but sad that there is 500k less going into our kids’ educations next year.

Does the MCPS Board have a budget line item to pay out lawsuits for its incompetence or do we just expect class sizes to be bigger next year?

This. The BOE needs to be held accountable as does Taylor and central office.

I’m just worried more lawsuits are coming as the political climate is very favorable to them.

Meanwhile, I have colleagues who are racist and there doesn’t seem to be anyway to dislodge them from positions working with our most vulnerable students.

Don't blame this on the "political climate." The BCC principal admitted he fabricated evidence defaming a teacher on the stand. The jury didn't even have to deliberate for more than a few hours. MCPS had a crap case. But yes, I would be worried if this is the level of competence MCPS has. So much of our education tax dollars are going to go to pay out people who have legit claims of being harmed by MCPS.

Then why did the jury absolve him of responsibility?

Because he said a whole lot of people at MCPS approved his statement that fabricated evidence. The jury found the MCPS Board responsible.

Well, it's a litlle more Russian doll than that. The jury found that MCPS is responsible and that the board is responsible for MCPS.

Yup, I get why they found the MCPS Board responsible. Ultimately the buck (or 500K bucks in this case) stops with them. But how do you specifically absolve Mooney who did everything? But the only article is from Bethesda Magazine and there's zero explanation about why Mooney walked out without any blame.

I think it's because the MCPS chain of command was involved and had full knowledge.

If Mooney had gone rogue and acted alone without anyone else in MCPS knowing, then maybe he could have been held individually responsible. But in this case, it was truly a systemic response and failure so the system gets the blame, not the individual.

Not even a statement from MCPS. It's like their central office is asleep.

[Anonymous]

MCPS was sanctioned to the jury for withholding/destroying key evidence — and one of the complaining students said on the stand that Mooney’s letter was not at all what Dan Engler was like. This was a seating chart issue with 10th graders. Other students in the class and three teachers testified for Engler. Engler would have settled for a simple apology years ago.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:MCPS was sanctioned to the jury for withholding/destroying key evidence — and one of the complaining students said on the stand that Mooney’s letter was not at all what Dan Engler was like. This was a seating chart issue with 10th graders. Other students in the class and three teachers testified for Engler. Engler would have settled for a simple apology years ago.

Yup. This is an important point as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why is Mooney off the hook?

Because this is Mcps.

He’s screwed up so many time. BCC deserves better. It’s been declining sharply under Mooney.

Correct. I’m a BCC parent and think that Mooney is a nice person but completely in over his head as Principal. He is utterly incompetent in that role.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Unbelievable. Glad the teacher got a favorable resolution after all that MCPS induced trauma but sad that there is 500k less going into our kids’ educations next year.

Does the MCPS Board have a budget line item to pay out lawsuits for its incompetence or do we just expect class sizes to be bigger next year?

This. The BOE needs to be held accountable as does Taylor and central office.

I’m just worried more lawsuits are coming as the political climate is very favorable to them.

Meanwhile, I have colleagues who are racist and there doesn’t seem to be anyway to dislodge them from positions working with our most vulnerable students.

Don't blame this on the "political climate." The BCC principal admitted he fabricated evidence defaming a teacher on the stand. The jury didn't even have to deliberate for more than a few hours. MCPS had a crap case. But yes, I would be worried if this is the level of competence MCPS has. So much of our education tax dollars are going to go to pay out people who have legit claims of being harmed by MCPS.

Then why did the jury absolve him of responsibility?

Because he said a whole lot of people at MCPS approved his statement that fabricated evidence. The jury found the MCPS Board responsible.

How would they know though

Right, if Mooney drafted the letter including the made-up quote, and then sent it to central office for approval, how would they know the quote was made up?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Unbelievable. Glad the teacher got a favorable resolution after all that MCPS induced trauma but sad that there is 500k less going into our kids’ educations next year.

Does the MCPS Board have a budget line item to pay out lawsuits for its incompetence or do we just expect class sizes to be bigger next year?

This. The BOE needs to be held accountable as does Taylor and central office.

I’m just worried more lawsuits are coming as the political climate is very favorable to them.

Meanwhile, I have colleagues who are racist and there doesn’t seem to be anyway to dislodge them from positions working with our most vulnerable students.

Don't blame this on the "political climate." The BCC principal admitted he fabricated evidence defaming a teacher on the stand. The jury didn't even have to deliberate for more than a few hours. MCPS had a crap case. But yes, I would be worried if this is the level of competence MCPS has. So much of our education tax dollars are going to go to pay out people who have legit claims of being harmed by MCPS.

Then why did the jury absolve him of responsibility?

Because he said a whole lot of people at MCPS approved his statement that fabricated evidence. The jury found the MCPS Board responsible.

How would they know though

The BOE is responsible for ensuring the superintendent has structures and people who are knowledgable, competent and responsible.

In this case, this ENTIRE chain of people failed:

- Chief of Schools Peter Moran
- Associate Superintendent Sean McGee

These people were responsible for supervising Mooney and reviewed his comms.

The BOE knew about McGee's role in this incident and DESPITE this, they just reconfirmed him as Associate Superintendent this school year.

And they reappointed Peter Moran as chief of schools:

McGee and Moran were also the chain of command above now-former principal Doug Nelson at Wootton.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Unbelievable. Glad the teacher got a favorable resolution after all that MCPS induced trauma but sad that there is 500k less going into our kids’ educations next year.

Does the MCPS Board have a budget line item to pay out lawsuits for its incompetence or do we just expect class sizes to be bigger next year?

This. The BOE needs to be held accountable as does Taylor and central office.

I’m just worried more lawsuits are coming as the political climate is very favorable to them.

Meanwhile, I have colleagues who are racist and there doesn’t seem to be anyway to dislodge them from positions working with our most vulnerable students.

Don't blame this on the "political climate." The BCC principal admitted he fabricated evidence defaming a teacher on the stand. The jury didn't even have to deliberate for more than a few hours. MCPS had a crap case. But yes, I would be worried if this is the level of competence MCPS has. So much of our education tax dollars are going to go to pay out people who have legit claims of being harmed by MCPS.

Then why did the jury absolve him of responsibility?

Because he said a whole lot of people at MCPS approved his statement that fabricated evidence. The jury found the MCPS Board responsible.

How would they know though

The BOE is responsible for ensuring the superintendent has structures and people who are knowledgable, competent and responsible.

In this case, this ENTIRE chain of people failed:

- Chief of Schools Peter Moran
- Associate Superintendent Sean McGee

These people were responsible for supervising Mooney and reviewed his comms.

The BOE knew about McGee's role in this incident and DESPITE this, they just reconfirmed him as Associate Superintendent this school year.

And they reappointed Peter Moran as chief of schools:

McGee and Moran were also the chain of command above now-former principal Doug Nelson at Wootton.

And Nelson had been an AP under Mooney at BCC!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Unbelievable. Glad the teacher got a favorable resolution after all that MCPS induced trauma but sad that there is 500k less going into our kids’ educations next year.

Does the MCPS Board have a budget line item to pay out lawsuits for its incompetence or do we just expect class sizes to be bigger next year?

This. The BOE needs to be held accountable as does Taylor and central office.

I’m just worried more lawsuits are coming as the political climate is very favorable to them.

Meanwhile, I have colleagues who are racist and there doesn’t seem to be anyway to dislodge them from positions working with our most vulnerable students.

Don't blame this on the "political climate." The BCC principal admitted he fabricated evidence defaming a teacher on the stand. The jury didn't even have to deliberate for more than a few hours. MCPS had a crap case. But yes, I would be worried if this is the level of competence MCPS has. So much of our education tax dollars are going to go to pay out people who have legit claims of being harmed by MCPS.

Then why did the jury absolve him of responsibility?

Because he said a whole lot of people at MCPS approved his statement that fabricated evidence. The jury found the MCPS Board responsible.

How would they know though

Right, if Mooney drafted the letter including the made-up quote, and then sent it to central office for approval, how would they know the quote was made up?

That's my big question

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Unbelievable. Glad the teacher got a favorable resolution after all that MCPS induced trauma but sad that there is 500k less going into our kids’ educations next year.

Does the MCPS Board have a budget line item to pay out lawsuits for its incompetence or do we just expect class sizes to be bigger next year?

This. The BOE needs to be held accountable as does Taylor and central office.

I’m just worried more lawsuits are coming as the political climate is very favorable to them.

Meanwhile, I have colleagues who are racist and there doesn’t seem to be anyway to dislodge them from positions working with our most vulnerable students.

Don't blame this on the "political climate." The BCC principal admitted he fabricated evidence defaming a teacher on the stand. The jury didn't even have to deliberate for more than a few hours. MCPS had a crap case. But yes, I would be worried if this is the level of competence MCPS has. So much of our education tax dollars are going to go to pay out people who have legit claims of being harmed by MCPS.

Then why did the jury absolve him of responsibility?

Because he said a whole lot of people at MCPS approved his statement that fabricated evidence. The jury found the MCPS Board responsible.

How would they know though

Right, if Mooney drafted the letter including the made-up quote, and then sent it to central office for approval, how would they know the quote was made up?

That's my big question

They wouldn't know that he made up the quote, and that goes to how MCPS investigates and addresses incidents like these to begin with.

[Anonymous]

Ironically the BOE will get an update on legal fees YTD through April. Non SpEd legal fees alone are $3.8million!!!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can someone just tell me if the guy is racist.

Based on the incident as described, I’d say no. This whole thing is absurd and I have no idea why anyone would sign up to be a teacher anymore.

“According to Engler’s complaint, Engler was attempting to keep 10th grade students in his health class in their assigned seats on Feb. 8, 2023, in an effort to help him learn their names. Two students later reported to an administrator that Engler said that if they didn’t sit in their assigned seats, he wouldn’t be able to tell them apart, which they believed he said because they are Black, according to Engler’s complaint.”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ironically the BOE will get an update on legal fees YTD through April. Non SpEd legal fees alone are $3.8million!!!!

That's a good point, how much did they spend on attorney and staff time on this.