Washington Post article about Former Farquhar Administrator

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This whole situation makes me realize why truly great leaders use MCPS as a stepping stone (Sirgo, Dyson, Yarbrough, etc). What a mess.

+1. This school system has fallen so far. It’s giving me PG vibes.

Pg is sounding good right now.

[Anonymous]

MCCPTA has finally put out a statement on the situation: https://www.thesentinel.com/communities/statement-regarding-the-board-of-education-oversight-responsibilities-relating-to-allegations-of-sexual-harassment-and/article_3a9b8b38-3d57-11ee-a756-1b538eccf70b.html

Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) must foster a culture that is a safe environment for students, support staff, teachers, and administrators. The MCCPTA Executive Committee condemns the systemic failures that allowed the continued sexual harassment and bullying outlined in The Washington Post article on August 11, 2023.

As stakeholders of this system, we call on the Board of Education to fulfill its oversight duties and diagnose and disclose the failures that occurred. The system has failed. The public deserves an explanation, commitment that actions will be taken to rectify the process, and full visibility into the progress of those actions.

While we applaud the swift decision to launch an investigation, we are concerned by the Board of Education’s absence in selecting the firm and identifying for the public the independent body that will be directing the work of the investigators. Any investigation, whether by a law firm or similar entity, must be carried out by an institution without any previous affiliation with MCPS or the Board of Education. The integrity of the investigation is compromised if MCPS is allowed to select their own investigators, to influence the scope of the review, to receive reports directly, or to continue their long standing practice of masking their systemic weaknesses and failings under the guise of inability to comment on personnel matters.

Further, we call on the Board of Education, as part of this review, to launch a thorough examination of MCPS’ current processes for reporting, evaluating, and elevating complaints. Such an examination should emphasize ensuring that victims are not further traumatized by the expectation of adherence to a process, but are instead offered a streamlined, empathetic reporting system based on the substance of the complaint without fear of retaliation or retribution. Families with complaints across a broad range of issues often experience the same system failures and the all-too-familiar lack of response described in the article. We expect this review to result in an overhaul of all complaint processes in favor of simple, clear procedures that are conducive to swift decisions that ensure the safety of students and staff at all times.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This whole situation makes me realize why truly great leaders use MCPS as a stepping stone (Sirgo, Dyson, Yarbrough, etc). What a mess.

+1. This school system has fallen so far. It’s giving me PG vibes.

Pg is sounding good right now.

Hell, Frederick looks good right now. As I said earlier, MCPS leaders know what they were doing when they headed over to FCPS.

[Anonymous]

Knew*

[Anonymous]

I just watched the video. Pathetic.
I can’t believe she said this issue can’t take up all of our time. And she goes on to rah rah about the new school year. She is already trying to sweep the scandal under the rug.
Her tone came across to me as why are y’all making such a big deal of this?

Big mistake to make her superintendent.
She comes across as clueless and uncaring

[Anonymous]

I actually feel sorry for MCPS teachers after watching this video. And after multiple complaints about this guy were completely ignored. Clearly MCPS Central has utter and complete disregard and disdain for teachers.
It is coming through loud and clear.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't think he's been moved to the HR department. He is "unassigned" aka you aren't going to be at PB or a principal anywhere, and while you're on leave and we figure out what to do with you, we have to give you some title. That's what this is. As much as I hate MCPS, this isn't malicious intent.

We have to give you a title??!?!?!! Why?

Do sex offenders get a desk in HR???

He doesn't have a desk at HR, he is on administrative leave. It's a database holder.

One thing that would make this unnecessary is to fire him for cause.

Even that is the right thing to do, there still has to be some sort of investigation that is completed before that decision is made. Until then....he needs to be in a holding pattern in the HR system....

MCPS already DID an investigation, remember? He has been cleared. He has a new desk in HR for a reason, McKnight supports him and cleared him.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:MCCPTA has finally put out a statement on the situation: https://www.thesentinel.com/communities/statement-regarding-the-board-of-education-oversight-responsibilities-relating-to-allegations-of-sexual-harassment-and/article_3a9b8b38-3d57-11ee-a756-1b538eccf70b.html

Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) must foster a culture that is a safe environment for students, support staff, teachers, and administrators. The MCCPTA Executive Committee condemns the systemic failures that allowed the continued sexual harassment and bullying outlined in The Washington Post article on August 11, 2023.

As stakeholders of this system, we call on the Board of Education to fulfill its oversight duties and diagnose and disclose the failures that occurred. The system has failed. The public deserves an explanation, commitment that actions will be taken to rectify the process, and full visibility into the progress of those actions.

While we applaud the swift decision to launch an investigation, we are concerned by the Board of Education’s absence in selecting the firm and identifying for the public the independent body that will be directing the work of the investigators. Any investigation, whether by a law firm or similar entity, must be carried out by an institution without any previous affiliation with MCPS or the Board of Education. The integrity of the investigation is compromised if MCPS is allowed to select their own investigators, to influence the scope of the review, to receive reports directly, or to continue their long standing practice of masking their systemic weaknesses and failings under the guise of inability to comment on personnel matters.

Further, we call on the Board of Education, as part of this review, to launch a thorough examination of MCPS’ current processes for reporting, evaluating, and elevating complaints. Such an examination should emphasize ensuring that victims are not further traumatized by the expectation of adherence to a process, but are instead offered a streamlined, empathetic reporting system based on the substance of the complaint without fear of retaliation or retribution. Families with complaints across a broad range of issues often experience the same system failures and the all-too-familiar lack of response described in the article. We expect this review to result in an overhaul of all complaint processes in favor of simple, clear procedures that are conducive to swift decisions that ensure the safety of students and staff at all times.

Glad they sent out this letter.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I actually feel sorry for MCPS teachers after watching this video. And after multiple complaints about this guy were completely ignored. Clearly MCPS Central has utter and complete disregard and disdain for teachers.
It is coming through loud and clear.

+1. This wouldn’t make me very “MCPS Proud”.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I just watched the video. Pathetic.
I can’t believe she said this issue can’t take up all of our time. And she goes on to rah rah about the new school year. She is already trying to sweep the scandal under the rug.
Her tone came across to me as why are y’all making such a big deal of this?

Big mistake to make her superintendent.
She comes across as clueless and uncaring

Agree.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I actually feel sorry for MCPS teachers after watching this video. And after multiple complaints about this guy were completely ignored. Clearly MCPS Central has utter and complete disregard and disdain for teachers.
It is coming through loud and clear.

I have felt sorry for MCPS teachers for a long time. Imagine working for such a dysfunctional organization. So demoralizing.

I’m amazed when good teachers do stay and am very grateful to them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This whole situation makes me realize why truly great leaders use MCPS as a stepping stone (Sirgo, Dyson, Yarbrough, etc). What a mess.

+1. This school system has fallen so far. It’s giving me PG vibes.

Pg is sounding good right now.

Hell, Frederick looks good right now. As I said earlier, MCPS leaders know what they were doing when they headed over to FCPS.

Yup. If I’m any neighboring county, I’m making a subtle, strategic blitz for MCPS staff right now (who do the right thing). Morale is at rock bottom.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This whole situation makes me realize why truly great leaders use MCPS as a stepping stone (Sirgo, Dyson, Yarbrough, etc). What a mess.

Yarbrough was the worst! Huge bully. Paint Branch has a long history of poor leadership

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't think he's been moved to the HR department. He is "unassigned" aka you aren't going to be at PB or a principal anywhere, and while you're on leave and we figure out what to do with you, we have to give you some title. That's what this is. As much as I hate MCPS, this isn't malicious intent.

We have to give you a title??!?!?!! Why?

Do sex offenders get a desk in HR???

He doesn't have a desk at HR, he is on administrative leave. It's a database holder.

One thing that would make this unnecessary is to fire him for cause.

Even that is the right thing to do, there still has to be some sort of investigation that is completed before that decision is made. Until then....he needs to be in a holding pattern in the HR system....

MCPS already DID an investigation, remember? He has been cleared. He has a new desk in HR for a reason, McKnight supports him and cleared him.

He does not have a desk in HR.

[Anonymous]

McKnight really comes across poorly in that video.

As an MCPS teacher, I can clearly see that the upper management does not understand and appreciate how much trust has been undermined by these actions. You cannot ignore and promote for YEARS this kind of a person and simultaneously expect people to take your pledges for equity, safety in schools, and commitments to staff and students seriously.

Actions speak louder than words. These leaders are untrustworthy and need to go.