Washington Post article about Former Farquhar Administrator

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What steps have you taken to rectify this situation other than complaining here? Discuss

Are you suggesting that parents should be able to rectify the corrupt and ineffective public school system in Montgomery County?

Please do tell us how!

Actually, I think the PP is correct. People should take action beyond complaining on this board.

One thing would be to email/call your BoE representative and tell them you want to see a hearing on this topic. They have the ability to call McKnight in front of them and ask what she knew and when.

Another would be to lean on Jawando in particular and let him know that he should be calling for an impartial and independent investigation by a firm/organization unaffiliated with MCPS.

Jawando is running for Senate. This is a chance for him to grandstand if he thinks the political winds are blowing against MCPS

There should be a protest in front of the central office on 8/24 during the next BOE meeting. Invite the media and the public officials. Let advocates give speeches... Do this at every BOE meeting. This will put pressure on the BOE.

Where are the union and the PTA, who are supposed to represent the teachers?

If you think so, then get to work and start organizing.

No one in MoCo is going to protest over this. It’s not the character of people who live here. CO knows this well.

They protested against Trump, abortion, guns... but they won't protest against their own public school system protecting and promoting a serial sexual predator harassing many women over many years...

Wait. The superintendent is a big SJW, and all BOE members are SJWs.

None of this has ever been about values. It has always been about power.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What steps have you taken to rectify this situation other than complaining here? Discuss

Are you suggesting that parents should be able to rectify the corrupt and ineffective public school system in Montgomery County?

Please do tell us how!

Actually, I think the PP is correct. People should take action beyond complaining on this board.

One thing would be to email/call your BoE representative and tell them you want to see a hearing on this topic. They have the ability to call McKnight in front of them and ask what she knew and when.

Another would be to lean on Jawando in particular and let him know that he should be calling for an impartial and independent investigation by a firm/organization unaffiliated with MCPS.

Jawando is running for Senate. This is a chance for him to grandstand if he thinks the political winds are blowing against MCPS

There should be a protest in front of the central office on 8/24 during the next BOE meeting. Invite the media and the public officials. Let advocates give speeches... Do this at every BOE meeting. This will put pressure on the BOE.

Where are the union and the PTA, who are supposed to represent the teachers?

If you think so, then get to work and start organizing.

No one in MoCo is going to protest over this. It’s not the character of people who live here. CO knows this well.

They protested against Trump, abortion, guns... but they won't protest against their own public school system protecting and promoting a serial sexual predator harassing many women over many years...

Wait. The superintendent is a big SJW, and all BOE members are SJWs.

None of this has ever been about values. It has always been about power.

Exactly! And often it’s misuse of power. Like dictating what teachers wear when the Superintendent visits the school. Last I checked there wasn’t a dress code in our contract.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wrote to the BOE. Let's everyone write to BOE. They are responsible for oversight and direction over MCPS and have the authority to take action. Let's use the Beidleman case as the tip of the iceberg - we keep reading in this forum thread that teachers who filed complaints in other cases are blown off and faced retaliation - so he is a symptom of a more systemic problem. Demand independent investigation, not an employer-selected firm. Demand that the BOE carry out its oversight responsibilities including robust follow-up after the facts are known. Demand that the BOE be transparent about the scope and how it will carry out its oversight, as well as making public its findings and follow-up actions. These are reasonable and fundamental demands they can agree on. Do it today!

I wrote to the BOE, the MCCPTA and the county council to voice my concerns. What agencies at the state level could help?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wrote to the BOE. Let's everyone write to BOE. They are responsible for oversight and direction over MCPS and have the authority to take action. Let's use the Beidleman case as the tip of the iceberg - we keep reading in this forum thread that teachers who filed complaints in other cases are blown off and faced retaliation - so he is a symptom of a more systemic problem. Demand independent investigation, not an employer-selected firm. Demand that the BOE carry out its oversight responsibilities including robust follow-up after the facts are known. Demand that the BOE be transparent about the scope and how it will carry out its oversight, as well as making public its findings and follow-up actions. These are reasonable and fundamental demands they can agree on. Do it today!

I wrote to the BOE, the MCCPTA and the county council to voice my concerns. What agencies at the state level could help?

I assume the Maryland State Department of Education? https://www.marylandpublicschools.org/Pages/Default.aspx

[Anonymous]

It really is striking that there hasn't been any sort of protest. I can't organize or participate in one due to professional concerns (also sat out BLM protests for that reason) but damn. Where is all the #MeToo energy?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What steps have you taken to rectify this situation other than complaining here? Discuss

I’ve actually utilized the complaint process for an employee at a different school. Same result as the teachers in the Washington Post article. I was ignored and faced harsh retaliation.

Alexandra Robbins here. Teachers, admins, staff, parents: I'm interested in hearing more about experiences like these. You can reach me at [e-mail] or through the contact form on my website at alexandrarobbins.com - or if you're concerned it's not really me, you can also send an email to my attention via [e-mail]

Thank you so much for the article! I’m sorry it took a WaPo investigation to get MCPS to respond to our teachers. Please keep up the good work!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What steps have you taken to rectify this situation other than complaining here? Discuss

Are you suggesting that parents should be able to rectify the corrupt and ineffective public school system in Montgomery County?

Please do tell us how!

Actually, I think the PP is correct. People should take action beyond complaining on this board.

One thing would be to email/call your BoE representative and tell them you want to see a hearing on this topic. They have the ability to call McKnight in front of them and ask what she knew and when.

Another would be to lean on Jawando in particular and let him know that he should be calling for an impartial and independent investigation by a firm/organization unaffiliated with MCPS.

Jawando is running for Senate. This is a chance for him to grandstand if he thinks the political winds are blowing against MCPS

There should be a protest in front of the central office on 8/24 during the next BOE meeting. Invite the media and the public officials. Let advocates give speeches... Do this at every BOE meeting. This will put pressure on the BOE.

Where are the union and the PTA, who are supposed to represent the teachers?

If you think so, then get to work and start organizing.

No one in MoCo is going to protest over this. It’s not the character of people who live here. CO knows this well.

They protested against Trump, abortion, guns... but they won't protest against their own public school system protecting and promoting a serial sexual predator harassing many women over many years...

Wait. The superintendent is a big SJW, and all BOE members are SJWs.

No one in this county wants to stand up against SJWs because they're afraid of being cancelled even if what they're fighting for is legit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wrote to the BOE. Let's everyone write to BOE. They are responsible for oversight and direction over MCPS and have the authority to take action. Let's use the Beidleman case as the tip of the iceberg - we keep reading in this forum thread that teachers who filed complaints in other cases are blown off and faced retaliation - so he is a symptom of a more systemic problem. Demand independent investigation, not an employer-selected firm. Demand that the BOE carry out its oversight responsibilities including robust follow-up after the facts are known. Demand that the BOE be transparent about the scope and how it will carry out its oversight, as well as making public its findings and follow-up actions. These are reasonable and fundamental demands they can agree on. Do it today!

The BOE has reviewed and ignored similar cases of sexual harassment and bullying. Sometimes the victims were teachers. Sometimes the victims were students. They are complacent in ignoring serious complaints and the retaliation that occurs when a victim files a complaint.

Read the appeal process. Complaints are addressed in closed session by the Board. The victim doesn’t even have the right to be present. At most they can request an in person hearing but can be turned down by the board. The victim’s voice is silenced in their discussion while MCPS sends staff to speak behind victim’s backs in the closed session.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wrote to the BOE. Let's everyone write to BOE. They are responsible for oversight and direction over MCPS and have the authority to take action. Let's use the Beidleman case as the tip of the iceberg - we keep reading in this forum thread that teachers who filed complaints in other cases are blown off and faced retaliation - so he is a symptom of a more systemic problem. Demand independent investigation, not an employer-selected firm. Demand that the BOE carry out its oversight responsibilities including robust follow-up after the facts are known. Demand that the BOE be transparent about the scope and how it will carry out its oversight, as well as making public its findings and follow-up actions. These are reasonable and fundamental demands they can agree on. Do it today!

The BOE has reviewed and ignored similar cases of sexual harassment and bullying. Sometimes the victims were teachers. Sometimes the victims were students. They are complacent in ignoring serious complaints and the retaliation that occurs when a victim files a complaint.

Read the appeal process. Complaints are addressed in closed session by the Board. The victim doesn’t even have the right to be present. At most they can request an in person hearing but can be turned down by the board. The victim’s voice is silenced in their discussion while MCPS sends staff to speak behind victim’s backs in the closed session.

Ultimately, the BOE has too much power and no independent body is overseeing what's actually going on. Why the hell is that?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wrote to the BOE. Let's everyone write to BOE. They are responsible for oversight and direction over MCPS and have the authority to take action. Let's use the Beidleman case as the tip of the iceberg - we keep reading in this forum thread that teachers who filed complaints in other cases are blown off and faced retaliation - so he is a symptom of a more systemic problem. Demand independent investigation, not an employer-selected firm. Demand that the BOE carry out its oversight responsibilities including robust follow-up after the facts are known. Demand that the BOE be transparent about the scope and how it will carry out its oversight, as well as making public its findings and follow-up actions. These are reasonable and fundamental demands they can agree on. Do it today!

The BOE has reviewed and ignored similar cases of sexual harassment and bullying. Sometimes the victims were teachers. Sometimes the victims were students. They are complacent in ignoring serious complaints and the retaliation that occurs when a victim files a complaint.

Read the appeal process. Complaints are addressed in closed session by the Board. The victim doesn’t even have the right to be present. At most they can request an in person hearing but can be turned down by the board. The victim’s voice is silenced in their discussion while MCPS sends staff to speak behind victim’s backs in the closed session.

The President of the BOE has expressed that she doesn't like getting involved in personnel matters that should be handled by HR. This was said before the Beidleman story broke though, so she might feel differently now that there's media attention on the issue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wrote to the BOE. Let's everyone write to BOE. They are responsible for oversight and direction over MCPS and have the authority to take action. Let's use the Beidleman case as the tip of the iceberg - we keep reading in this forum thread that teachers who filed complaints in other cases are blown off and faced retaliation - so he is a symptom of a more systemic problem. Demand independent investigation, not an employer-selected firm. Demand that the BOE carry out its oversight responsibilities including robust follow-up after the facts are known. Demand that the BOE be transparent about the scope and how it will carry out its oversight, as well as making public its findings and follow-up actions. These are reasonable and fundamental demands they can agree on. Do it today!

I wrote to the BOE, the MCCPTA and the county council to voice my concerns. What agencies at the state level could help?

The Office of the Inspector General for Education (and cc the Montgomery County IG because they work together on cases involving schools).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What steps have you taken to rectify this situation other than complaining here? Discuss

Are you suggesting that parents should be able to rectify the corrupt and ineffective public school system in Montgomery County?

Please do tell us how!

Actually, I think the PP is correct. People should take action beyond complaining on this board.

One thing would be to email/call your BoE representative and tell them you want to see a hearing on this topic. They have the ability to call McKnight in front of them and ask what she knew and when.

Another would be to lean on Jawando in particular and let him know that he should be calling for an impartial and independent investigation by a firm/organization unaffiliated with MCPS.

Jawando is running for Senate. This is a chance for him to grandstand if he thinks the political winds are blowing against MCPS

There should be a protest in front of the central office on 8/24 during the next BOE meeting. Invite the media and the public officials. Let advocates give speeches... Do this at every BOE meeting. This will put pressure on the BOE.

Where are the union and the PTA, who are supposed to represent the teachers?

If you think so, then get to work and start organizing.

No one in MoCo is going to protest over this. It’s not the character of people who live here. CO knows this well.

They protested against Trump, abortion, guns... but they won't protest against their own public school system protecting and promoting a serial sexual predator harassing many women over many years...

Wait. The superintendent is a big SJW, and all BOE members are SJWs.

No one in this county wants to stand up against SJWs because they're afraid of being cancelled even if what they're fighting for is legit.

LOL you need to get a life.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It really is striking that there hasn't been any sort of protest. I can't organize or participate in one due to professional concerns (also sat out BLM protests for that reason) but damn. Where is all the #MeToo energy?

This is interesting.

https://parentscoalitionmc.blogspot.com/2023/08/chair-of-county-council-education.html?m=1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wrote to the BOE. Let's everyone write to BOE. They are responsible for oversight and direction over MCPS and have the authority to take action. Let's use the Beidleman case as the tip of the iceberg - we keep reading in this forum thread that teachers who filed complaints in other cases are blown off and faced retaliation - so he is a symptom of a more systemic problem. Demand independent investigation, not an employer-selected firm. Demand that the BOE carry out its oversight responsibilities including robust follow-up after the facts are known. Demand that the BOE be transparent about the scope and how it will carry out its oversight, as well as making public its findings and follow-up actions. These are reasonable and fundamental demands they can agree on. Do it today!

The BOE has reviewed and ignored similar cases of sexual harassment and bullying. Sometimes the victims were teachers. Sometimes the victims were students. They are complacent in ignoring serious complaints and the retaliation that occurs when a victim files a complaint.

Read the appeal process. Complaints are addressed in closed session by the Board. The victim doesn’t even have the right to be present. At most they can request an in person hearing but can be turned down by the board. The victim’s voice is silenced in their discussion while MCPS sends staff to speak behind victim’s backs in the closed session.

The President of the BOE has expressed that she doesn't like getting involved in personnel matters that should be handled by HR. This was said before the Beidleman story broke though, so she might feel differently now that there's media attention on the issue.

Really??? It’s not worth her time to stop abuses of power by MCPS administrators???

She needs to go.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wrote to the BOE. Let's everyone write to BOE. They are responsible for oversight and direction over MCPS and have the authority to take action. Let's use the Beidleman case as the tip of the iceberg - we keep reading in this forum thread that teachers who filed complaints in other cases are blown off and faced retaliation - so he is a symptom of a more systemic problem. Demand independent investigation, not an employer-selected firm. Demand that the BOE carry out its oversight responsibilities including robust follow-up after the facts are known. Demand that the BOE be transparent about the scope and how it will carry out its oversight, as well as making public its findings and follow-up actions. These are reasonable and fundamental demands they can agree on. Do it today!

The BOE has reviewed and ignored similar cases of sexual harassment and bullying. Sometimes the victims were teachers. Sometimes the victims were students. They are complacent in ignoring serious complaints and the retaliation that occurs when a victim files a complaint.

Read the appeal process. Complaints are addressed in closed session by the Board. The victim doesn’t even have the right to be present. At most they can request an in person hearing but can be turned down by the board. The victim’s voice is silenced in their discussion while MCPS sends staff to speak behind victim’s backs in the closed session.

You are spot on. The board is a puppet, and the superintendent is the puppeteer.

When you appeal to the Board of Education, you can request a hearing, but the board will almost always deny it. They will then make an unfair decision which you cannot challenge in person. When you appeal to the State Board of Education, it's the same. You can request a hearing, but they will almost always deny it. The State Board will rubberstamp the County Board's decision.

If you persist and appeal to the Circuit Court, the judge has to have a hearing. But the judge is so reluctant to overturn the State Board's decision that they will always find a way to deny your appeal (they have all kinds of discretion).

The person who calls the shots in this whole process is the superintendent. That's how the administrative/judicial system works in Maryland.