By Adam Pagnucco.
The Montgomery County Education Association (MCEA) has sent an email to its members discussing a potential class action lawsuit against MCPS. The email refers to a specific memo from a law firm specializing in representing public employees in labor and employment litigation dated August 18. Both the email and the memo are reprinted below.
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Subject: Investigation Update & Invitation to Join MCEA Members’ Class Action
Dear Colleagues,
Thanks to the persistent and courageous actions taken by members of Farquhar Middle School, MCPS has been forced to reckon with its mismanagement of allegations of harassment and abuse. And because thousands of MCEA members demanded a truly impartial investigation, the Montgomery County Inspector General (IG) is now examining how years of allegations were ignored and mishandled by the MCPS Office of Compliance.
The IG is now requesting interviews with witnesses and those who were personally the target of harassment and abuse. If you are contacted, MCEA encourages you to participate in the fact-finding. If you receive a request from the IG, please see here for advice as to how to prepare and what support is potentially available to you.
In addition, several MCEA members have enlisted the help of a private law firm that represents employees who have complaints about abuse and harassment. They are looking to build the strongest possible case by having not only Farquhar employees, but also those from other worksites who may have faced such circumstances, to sign on as parties to the class action. To learn more about how to join the class action, read this message from the private law firm.
The strong stance that we, the members of MCEA, have so far taken is finally showing results. Let’s keep the pressure on. We must ensure that in the future anyone who ever faces a hostile working environment in MCPS will have their concerns addressed.
In solidarity,
Jennifer Martin
President
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The law firm’s memo can be downloaded below.