Washington Post article about Former Farquhar Administrator

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m not sure I understand the logic of those on here who are saying that because MCPS is paying Jackson Lewis, they are not independent. Wouldn’t that be the same for any outside investigator retained by MCPS? And the County Council has made clear this is an MCPS investigation and it doesn’t look like they choose to use whatever investigatory authority/resources they have in the schools (if any) to pursue this. So it’s either MCPS does it themselves or they pay someone outside to do it. I suppose it is the issue of payment from MCPS that has some questioning “independence” but it seems the only alternative right now to MCPS self-investigating.

You are right, you don't understand. This law firm already represents the Board in adversarial litigation. This firm lost its independence in 2021 when they agreed to only represent the Board against staff. They have stayed on to represent the Board through this year. They can not ethically say they are independent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m not sure I understand the logic of those on here who are saying that because MCPS is paying Jackson Lewis, they are not independent. Wouldn’t that be the same for any outside investigator retained by MCPS? And the County Council has made clear this is an MCPS investigation and it doesn’t look like they choose to use whatever investigatory authority/resources they have in the schools (if any) to pursue this. So it’s either MCPS does it themselves or they pay someone outside to do it. I suppose it is the issue of payment from MCPS that has some questioning “independence” but it seems the only alternative right now to MCPS self-investigating.

It’s standard practice for companies that undertake to have an independent investigation conducted to hire a firm with which they have no pre-existing relationship. On its face, it suggests the firm will exercise independent judgment.

If you hire a firm with which you already have a relationship, the appearance of independence is compromised, because people will assume the firm is going to pull its punches to preserve the existing business relationship.

In practice, things are more complicated, because a firm is more likely to get hired to perform such an investigation even for a company or business with which it had no existing relationship if it has a reputation for being moderate, not digging too deep, and finding people other than those at the top to blame.

But in this case the fix would already appear to be in from the inception. A report will get prepared that calls for improving policies and processes, but the venality of McKnight and her gaggle of sycophants will not be fully revealed. And they’ll likely claim the full report is privileged and only release a summary with the recommendations to improve protocols for reporting and investigation of harassment claims.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m not sure I understand the logic of those on here who are saying that because MCPS is paying Jackson Lewis, they are not independent. Wouldn’t that be the same for any outside investigator retained by MCPS? And the County Council has made clear this is an MCPS investigation and it doesn’t look like they choose to use whatever investigatory authority/resources they have in the schools (if any) to pursue this. So it’s either MCPS does it themselves or they pay someone outside to do it. I suppose it is the issue of payment from MCPS that has some questioning “independence” but it seems the only alternative right now to MCPS self-investigating.

It’s standard practice for companies that undertake to have an independent investigation conducted to hire a firm with which they have no pre-existing relationship. On its face, it suggests the firm will exercise independent judgment.

If you hire a firm with which you already have a relationship, the appearance of independence is compromised, because people will assume the firm is going to pull its punches to preserve the existing business relationship.

In practice, things are more complicated, because a firm is more likely to get hired to perform such an investigation even for a company or business with which it had no existing relationship if it has a reputation for being moderate, not digging too deep, and finding people other than those at the top to blame.

But in this case the fix would already appear to be in from the inception. A report will get prepared that calls for improving policies and processes, but the venality of McKnight and her gaggle of sycophants will not be fully revealed. And they’ll likely claim the full report is privileged and only release a summary with the recommendations to improve protocols for reporting and investigation of harassment claims.

Clearly we can't trust MCPS to handle this investigation. It must be spearheaded by County Council and even that is slightly questionable.

[Anonymous]

Email all of the council members! Keep harassing them for accountability!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I very much believe in the diversity. I even have one of those signs in my front yard that every stand up comedian mocks. But I’m going to call this for what I see it.

A male POC in a white female dominated profession continues to get promoted despite known workplace toxicity that he fosters and egregious sexual harassment. And he’s mentored - and even aided - by Eric Minus, another male POC, who knows exactly how the system operates and how you can get away with anything so long as you put on a good face to the people up high and fly the flag of underrepresented populations in education leadership.

It is disgusting. It gives equity, diversity, and public education a bad name.

[phone]

In my opinion, this is an example of how MCPS' version of equity and diversity policies promote corruption. Unfortunately, I don't believe this is exclusive to MCPS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m not sure I understand the logic of those on here who are saying that because MCPS is paying Jackson Lewis, they are not independent. Wouldn’t that be the same for any outside investigator retained by MCPS? And the County Council has made clear this is an MCPS investigation and it doesn’t look like they choose to use whatever investigatory authority/resources they have in the schools (if any) to pursue this. So it’s either MCPS does it themselves or they pay someone outside to do it. I suppose it is the issue of payment from MCPS that has some questioning “independence” but it seems the only alternative right now to MCPS self-investigating.

It’s standard practice for companies that undertake to have an independent investigation conducted to hire a firm with which they have no pre-existing relationship. On its face, it suggests the firm will exercise independent judgment.

If you hire a firm with which you already have a relationship, the appearance of independence is compromised, because people will assume the firm is going to pull its punches to preserve the existing business relationship.

In practice, things are more complicated, because a firm is more likely to get hired to perform such an investigation even for a company or business with which it had no existing relationship if it has a reputation for being moderate, not digging too deep, and finding people other than those at the top to blame.

But in this case the fix would already appear to be in from the inception. A report will get prepared that calls for improving policies and processes, but the venality of McKnight and her gaggle of sycophants will not be fully revealed. And they’ll likely claim the full report is privileged and only release a summary with the recommendations to improve protocols for reporting and investigation of harassment claims.

Clearly we can't trust MCPS to handle this investigation. It must be spearheaded by County Council and even that is slightly questionable.

Once again, they need to be blasted by the news to change their evil ways. Let’s bring back the Washington post . Sadly all they care about is bad press

[Anonymous]

MCPS is independent. All the County Council can do is approve their budget. That's it. It's by design. Oversight of MCPS is from the BOE. The people elect the BOE.

MCPS can hire a truly independent investigator if they want. "Procurement" isn't an excuse, because the BOE in particular has the power to approve hiring a vendor outside of the usual procurement process (and it seems like a very good reason to here).

Judge MCPS by actions. That's what we did and why we left MCPS for private two years ago.

[Anonymous]

Can the State investigate?

Council has no power to investigate. MCPS is some weird kind of independent, yet State-formed and County-funded entity.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can the State investigate?

Council has no power to investigate. MCPS is some weird kind of independent, yet State-formed and County-funded entity.

I'm sure MSDE can investigate. They're the ones who do the school-level report cards that MCPS likes to dismiss or ignore.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can the State investigate?

Council has no power to investigate. MCPS is some weird kind of independent, yet State-formed and County-funded entity.

Who told you council has no power? The council? LOL
They can hold a hearing, subpeona mcps admin and put them under oath.

[Anonymous]

MCPS continues to get flamed in all of their social posts where they want to act like nothing is happening: https://www.facebook.com/mcpsmd/posts/pfbid034iLxyo6vBtgTYYi9M83WfuAXdbHLczYMydaS2ccUhByqYLsJmHV3P6uCwuJ5K7e2l

Why don't they just go dark on social until they're ready to say something substantive??

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can the State investigate?

Council has no power to investigate. MCPS is some weird kind of independent, yet State-formed and County-funded entity.

The County Council can investigate whatever it wants to investigate.

MCPS is not independent. Maryland state law establishes the individual county boards of education, under the authority of the Maryland state board of education.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:These smiling administrators should be embarrassed- I would be if I were in their shoes. They are a bunch of sheep with no backbones. Anyone that stood and applauded supports what she stands for- harassment, bullying, and deceit; hopefully their staff retaliate and demand for these admin to sit back and remain in their offices all year.

Pathetic followers who can’t practice what they preach. And certainly don’t care for students OR staff

Easy to say that from an anonymous post. Not so easy when you are the one in the room. Not everyone in that room is bad. If the culture of fear is as high as folks are saying on here, who would dare interrupt their boss in front of all their colleagues to address? You wouldn't have been the hero in the room if you were a school admin at that meeting.

You don’t need to “call her out “ or “speak up” but you could certainly excuse yourself or ask questions. Why not ask a question about the matter? I’m an mcps teacher and have heard nothing from my administration. Where is their personal email denouncing this type of behavior & conduct? There is none because every single administrator in mcps has been brainwashed by McKnight and are her sheep , blindly following her

It is quite simple. It isn't your admins job to email you about this. It has nothing do with you unless it is a school you work at. Do you have issues with your leadership? By all means take it up with them. I'll make sure to denounce all teachers the next time there is a scandal involving a teacher and bash everyone who doesn't feel the need to get on a soapbox to let the world know how they feel.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:These smiling administrators should be embarrassed- I would be if I were in their shoes. They are a bunch of sheep with no backbones. Anyone that stood and applauded supports what she stands for- harassment, bullying, and deceit; hopefully their staff retaliate and demand for these admin to sit back and remain in their offices all year.

Pathetic followers who can’t practice what they preach. And certainly don’t care for students OR staff

Easy to say that from an anonymous post. Not so easy when you are the one in the room. Not everyone in that room is bad. If the culture of fear is as high as folks are saying on here, who would dare interrupt their boss in front of all their colleagues to address? You wouldn't have been the hero in the room if you were a school admin at that meeting.

You don’t need to “call her out “ or “speak up” but you could certainly excuse yourself or ask questions. Why not ask a question about the matter? I’m an mcps teacher and have heard nothing from my administration. Where is their personal email denouncing this type of behavior & conduct? There is none because every single administrator in mcps has been brainwashed by McKnight and are her sheep , blindly following her

It is quite simple. It isn't your admins job to email you about this. It has nothing do with you unless it is a school you work at. Do you have issues with your leadership? By all means take it up with them. I'll make sure to denounce all teachers the next time there is a scandal involving a teacher and bash everyone who doesn't feel the need to get on a soapbox to let the world know how they feel.

Why hello mcps principal troll!!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:These smiling administrators should be embarrassed- I would be if I were in their shoes. They are a bunch of sheep with no backbones. Anyone that stood and applauded supports what she stands for- harassment, bullying, and deceit; hopefully their staff retaliate and demand for these admin to sit back and remain in their offices all year.

Pathetic followers who can’t practice what they preach. And certainly don’t care for students OR staff

Easy to say that from an anonymous post. Not so easy when you are the one in the room. Not everyone in that room is bad. If the culture of fear is as high as folks are saying on here, who would dare interrupt their boss in front of all their colleagues to address? You wouldn't have been the hero in the room if you were a school admin at that meeting.

You don’t need to “call her out “ or “speak up” but you could certainly excuse yourself or ask questions. Why not ask a question about the matter? I’m an mcps teacher and have heard nothing from my administration. Where is their personal email denouncing this type of behavior & conduct? There is none because every single administrator in mcps has been brainwashed by McKnight and are her sheep , blindly following her

It is quite simple. It isn't your admins job to email you about this. It has nothing do with you unless it is a school you work at. Do you have issues with your leadership? By all means take it up with them. I'll make sure to denounce all teachers the next time there is a scandal involving a teacher and bash everyone who doesn't feel the need to get on a soapbox to let the world know how they feel.

This is a great example of the true toxic tone of mcps leadership. Soak it in folks. Yes, you should be reassuring your staff that these behaviors are unacceptable and that in YOUR building it won’t be tolerated.