Teacher Removed From School, No Charges Filed As Police Investigate Misconduct

SEVERNA PARK, MD — A teacher was reassigned away from Severna Park Elementary School amid an investigation, Patch confirmed. School officials would not say what they are investigating.

Police told Patch that officers are in the early stages of investigating misconduct allegations at the school. Authorities wouldn't say if the accusations involved the reassigned third-grade teacher, Matt Schlegel.

No charges have been pressed against Schlegel.

Patch emailed Schlegel for a comment on Wednesday. We got an automatic reply saying he's "currently on leave." Schlegel has not otherwise responded to our request for comment.

"We have an active, ongoing investigation into allegations of misconduct at Severna Park Elementary School," Anne Arundel County Police Department spokesperson Marc Limansky told Patch. "No charges have been filed, no arrests have been made, and we have not named any suspects."

Anne Arundel County Public Schools spokesperson Bob Mosier said "an investigation is currently ongoing."

"Mr. Schlegel was reassigned within our school system in mid-March," Mosier told Patch in an email. "Mr. Schlegel has worked for AACPS since 2008 and has been at Severna Park ES since 2016."

Severna Park Elementary School Principal Kyle Butler has twice written to families. Patch obtained and reviewed both letters on Tuesday.

Butler first wrote to families on March 18.

"Mr. Schlegel will be out of our school indefinitely," Butler said in his initial letter, outlining the ensuing substitute teacher plans.

Butler gave families a second update with more details on April 7.

"An allegation involving Mr. Schlegel was presented to me and, as is the normal course of action, I immediately reported that allegation to our school system’s Office of Investigations so that it could be appropriately addressed," Butler wrote in the second letter. "It is not uncommon for that office to remove staff from positions of direct contact with students while issues are investigated. Such an action does not imply guilt, but is simply a precautionary measure to allow the investigation to take place without additional fear or anxiety being imposed on any party."

Butler said he acted swiftly but won't disclose specifics of the case.

"First and foremost, I want to make abundantly clear that I have acted immediately, appropriately, and prudently with any information that has come to my attention," the principal said. "Except in conversations with families that are directly impacted, I cannot – and will not – detail the information that led to Mr. Schlegel being away from our building. Both the families involved and Mr. Schlegel have a right to privacy and confidentiality and a right to have this process play out in its entirety."

Butler added that his team will continue "support to those involved in this case ... for as long as necessary." He invited students to discuss their feelings with school counselors.

"I fully realize both the emotion that comes with a situation like this and the frustration that accompanies not being able to be provided with every answer. I can simply assure you that the process is proceeding appropriately," Butler said. "If there is a point in time where I am able to share more information regarding this matter with you, please be assured I will do so."

Was your family affected by this investigation? Please email jacob.baumgart@patch.com if you wish to share your story.