By Trend News Line 2024-05-24 21:55:08.
Former Teacher Settles Lawsuit Against Montgomery County Board of Education
A former teacher at William H. Farquhar Middle School, known only as Jane Doe in the lawsuit, has reached a settlement with the Montgomery County Board of Education and Joel Beidleman, a former principal at the school. The settlement, totaling $300,000, was confirmed by Rockville attorney Jerry Hyatt in a recent phone interview.
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Details of the Lawsuit
The lawsuit, filed in late October, alleged that the teacher endured discrimination and a hostile work environment while working under Beidleman at Farquhar. The complaint, spanning 20 pages, outlined instances where Beidleman reportedly sexually harassed her both at school and outside, intimidated her, made inappropriate comments, and threatened her job in retaliation for rebuffing his advances.
Background of the Case
The lawsuit came in the wake of a report by The Washington Post in August 2023, which exposed years of alleged misconduct by Beidleman and inaction by MCPS officials in addressing complaints against staff members. Following the report, Beidleman was promoted to principal of Paint Branch High School but is no longer employed by MCPS.
The fallout from the scandal led to the resignation of MCPS Superintendent Monifa McKnight on February 2, as she attempted to implement measures to address the issues within the school system. In response, MCPS has launched a Correction Action Progress Report webpage to update the public on the steps being taken following an investigation by the Montgomery County Office of the Inspector General.
Reaction and Response
In a statement, attorney Jerry Hyatt expressed his client’s satisfaction with the settlement and hope that the new policies implemented by MCPS will prevent similar incidents in the future. MCPS spokesperson Liliana Lopez and school board communication coordinator Christie Scott declined to comment on the matter, citing legal personnel restrictions.
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Attorneys for Beidleman, Diane E. Feuerherd and Donna E. McBride, did not respond to requests for comment due to the Memorial Day holiday. The settlement represents a step towards justice for the former teacher and highlights the ongoing efforts by MCPS to address allegations of misconduct within the school system.
By settling the lawsuit, the teacher hopes to bring closure to a difficult chapter in her career and contribute to the ongoing reforms within MCPS to ensure a safe and inclusive environment for all staff and students..
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