Montgomery County School District faces serious allegations of neglect in the face of sexual misconduct.
Montgomery County School District faces serious allegations of neglect in the face of sexual misconduct. A former teacher has filed a lawsuit against the district and Principal Dr. Joel Beidleman, claiming that Farquhar Middle School did not take any action when she brought forth her claims.
The complaint against Beidleman recounts over 30 instances of sexual harassment followed by threats and intimidation. He allegedly requested that the female teacher, referred to as Jane Doe, meet him at various hotels for sexual encounters. He made inappropriate comments about her body and appearance, which did not cease even during an after-work happy hour.
When Doe turned Beidleman down, he began to invade her privacy further. Using the school’s surveillance camera system, he spied on her conversations with co-workers out of malice and jealousy. Additionally, he caused Doe to feel that the state of her employment was in jeopardy, saying “I might have to reconsider your job here for next year.”
According to the lawsuit, since 2016, there have been close to 30 written or verbal reports submitted by staff, parents, and union stewards of the school, regarding Beidleman’s misconduct. Rather than take action, Montgomery County School District allegedly altered the results of their investigation. Beidleman’s promotion to high school principal would be in danger if he was found guilty, so “MCPS subsequently ordered a change to that conclusion to the report ‘to reflect that there was not enough evidence to substantiate’ the Plaintiff’s claim. MCPS also changed certain dates of the investigation on documents to aid Beidleman.”
A local teacher’s union has begun to collaborate with firms in order to prepare to file a class-action lawsuit. Other employees who may have been victims of sexual misconduct and intimidation may have the chance to seek justice as a result.
The district is accused of deliberately overlooking Principal Beidleman’s harassment and intimidation in order to maintain his status. Regarding his promotion, MCPS superintendent Monifa McKnight states that “if there is any rot, we will root it out.”
Authors: Alexis Kabat and Andy Goldwasser
