Misconduct Complaint Against 2 MoCo School Officials Unfounded: Report

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, MD — Allegations that two senior Montgomery County Public Schools officials made inappropriate jokes and statements of a sexual nature were determined to be unfounded, according to a memorandum released Wednesday by the county's Office of the Inspector General.

The allegations stemmed from a written complaint submitted to the school system's chief of human resources and development and later referred to the county chief of staff.

"The complainant alleged that MCPS administrators made inappropriate jokes and statements of a sexual nature directed toward a subordinate," according to the OIG memo. "The supervisor of one of the administrators was reportedly aware of the alleged misconduct. The complaint also alleged that a senior MCPS official was present at a social gathering during which an MCPS employee was intoxicated and attempted to remove their clothing in front of MCPS colleagues. Lastly, the complaint alleged that another MCPS administrator was involved in an improper romantic and/or sexual relationship with a subordinate, and that a senior MCPS official was aware of the relationship while it was on-going."

The OIG conducted interviews with all of the MCPS employees relevant to the complaint and reviewed responsive records. The complaint lacked important details, including dates, locations, and other corroborating information. When the the OIG tried to obtain that information, the person who filed the complaint ignored multiple requests for interviews and additional details.

The investigation was further impeded by an MCPS administrator who provided evasive answers to investigators' questions and was unable to recall memorable events described in the complaint.

The OIG noted that the MCPS' Employee Code of Conduct requires employees to "respond honestly to a work-related inquiry by MCPS, law enforcement, or other authorized investigative officials." The OIG recommended adding a mandate to MCPS policy to ensure that employees cooperate fully with investigations.

The OIG was unable to substantiate the claims made in the complaint. However, it did identify improvements MCPS could make to ensure greater transparency and limit conflicts of interest. Investigators recommended that MCPS require anyone in a senior position notify their supervisor of any previous romantic and/or sexual relationships with an employee within their supervisory chain. MCPS would then evaluate the relationship to determine if it impacted the person in the senior position's ability to supervisor the subordinate.

Currently, MCPS policy prevents anyone in a leadership position from supervising a person with whom they are in a relationship.

Montgomery County Councilmember Will Jawando (At-Large), who chairs the Education and Culture Committee, applauded the Board of Education for taking a step forward in transparency and accountability within the school system.

"It has been two months since the allegations of employee misconduct by an MCPS principal were revealed through the press," he said. "At the EC Committee session held on Sept. 28, I called for the full release of a redacted report and my colleagues echoed that sentiment. It is only through transparency that we are able to have effective accountability and facilitate improvement in processes that protect our school community."