By Adam Pagnucco.
The Montgomery County Education Association (MCEA) has released a smoking statement in reaction to the latest county inspector general report on MCPS. The report could not substantiate allegations of misconduct against MCPS officials, but that was in part because one of them gave “evasive answers” to the inspector general.
MCEA’s statement is printed below.
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Press Statement Responding to OIG Report 1/08/24
Rockville, MD – Educators throughout Montgomery County Public Schools are disgusted but not shocked by the revelations contained in the latest Office of the Inspector General report. The Inspector General (IG) states that the accusations of additional misconduct by administrators were not substantiated, but the IG also implies this was likely the case only because key people refused to cooperate with the investigation.
Honest, ethical leadership throughout the system is created by the tone and behavior demonstrated by the executive administration. We are dismayed that, according to the IG, a leader with knowledge regarding allegations provided “evasive answers” and “made the unlikely claim that they did not recall memorable events noted in the complaint.” The Board of Education must immediately institute policies recommended by the IG, requiring MCPS leaders to report misconduct and to participate fully in any investigations conducted by the employer.
This report is just the most recent evidence demonstrating MCPS executive leadership’s primary concerns are protecting one another and advancing their own careers. Meanwhile, they fail to provide those of us who work directly with students safe working conditions, free of bullying and harassment. Moreover, this inconclusive report gives us little reason to hope that these same administrators will be forthcoming with the truth when further questioned concerning other parts of the investigation.