County councilmembers, as well as the public at large, continue expressing concern over a recent Washington Post article concerning a Montgomery County Public School employee who was promoted despite having numerous complaints of abusive and lewd behavior listed in his file.
The Washington Post reported Paint Branch High School Principal Joel Beidleman, who had been Farquhar Middle School principal, had been the subject of numerous complaints of sexual harassment and other inappropriate behavior dating back to 2017.
Those complaints were deemed not to have violated MCPS’ sexual harassment policy, according to the Washington Post.
As of August 4, MCPS placed Beidleman on “extended leave” and initiated “an independent external investigation” into the claims.
During an interview at MCM about her decision to run for U.S. Congress, Councilmember Laurie-Anne Sayles called for a thorough investigation and said the results should be made public.
Council President Evan Glass expressed his concern to MCM.
“I’m deeply disturbed by the Washington Post’s detailed reporting alleging an MCPS principal created a hostile and unsafe workplace. The public needs to know who was aware of this information and why it was not promptly investigated. As we prepare for a new school year, we must ensure that students and teachers feel safe, welcome and respected in the classroom,” he wrote in a statement to My MCM.
Councilmember Natali Fani-Gonzalez also commented.
“Sexual harassment is a crime and should not occur around our most precious treasure, our children. At this time the case is being investigated by the corresponding authority.”
