Chaperones accused of drinking at prom for Prince George’s Co. school; principal placed on leave

HYATTSVILLE, Md. – Three administrators, including the principal, at a Prince George’s County high school are on administrative leave while the school looks into allegations that chaperones were drinking during the school’s prom.

Northwestern held its prom on May 18 at a brand new hotel across the street from the University of Maryland.

An emergency staff meeting was held at Northwestern High School in Hyattsville Wednesday afternoon where an announcement was made to staff about the administrators being placed on leave.

According to Prince George’s County Public Schools spokesperson John White, the school system is investigating a claim that school administrators, who should have been sober and chaperoning the event, were instead drinking at the hotel bar.

White confirmed that Northwestern High School principal Carlene Murray was placed on administrative leave along with assistant principals Christopher Burrows and Patricia Duffy.

White said Duffy and Burrows are accused of drinking while Murray was put on leave for her conduct related to the prom. However, she is not accused of drinking at the event.

FOX 5 reached out to all three administrators through email, but have not received a response as of Wednesday evening.

A source familiar with the administration at the school said Burrows and Duffy were placed on leave immediately after the prom and Murray was placed on leave on Monday.

Hyattsville police confirmed a school resource officer went to the hotel after the prom and obtained footage from surveillance cameras.

A teacher at the school, who asked to remain unidentified, was at Wednesday’s emergency meeting at the school. He said he was not at the prom, but the allegations did not surprise him.

“We have lots of evidence with film, witnesses and people who were there, so it is not surprising at all,” he said.

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Via Fox5DC

Prince George’s County Candidates forum 2/23/2018

Shots Fired in PGCPS, 2 Schools Locked Down as Precaution

Two schools in Prince George’s County were locked down Thursday morning after shots were fired nearby. The incident did not involve students, Prince George’s County Police said.

No one was struck.

Police received a call for the report of shots fired near Oxon Hill High School. According to a preliminary investigation, police said an argument off school grounds led to shots being fired.

A suspect is in custody.

Oxon Hill High School and John Hanson Montessori were locked down as a precaution while authorities investigated, Prince George’s County said. Police said about 10:50 a.m. that the lockdown at Oxon Hill High School was being lifted.

Source: Shots Fired, No One Hurt in Oxon Hill; 2 Schools Locked Down as Precaution | NBC4 Washington http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/Shots-Fired-Near-Oxon-Hill-High-School-No-One-Hurt-411876895.html#ixzz4WtLZH9fb

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PG’s schools still lag as Baker ponders move to Annapolis

Prince George’s County Executive Rushern L. Baker III

By Deborah Simmons – The Washington Times –

ANALYSIS/OPINION:

Prince George’s County Executive Rushern L. Baker III is weighing another run for office. This time it’s the race for governor of Maryland.

Mr. Baker cannot seek re-election to his present post because of the county’s term limits. Indeed, he twice sought the county executive seat and twice lost to Jack Johnson.

In fact, Mr. Baker won the seat in 2010 only after Johnson became embroiled in — and later pleaded guilty to — public corruption charges.

Mr. Baker has pushed for the right to hold on to his current job. In 2014, the same year he won re-election, Prince George’s voters rejected a measure that would have allowed the county executive and council members to serve three four-year terms. It was the third time since the 1990s that voters maintained their hard line against expanding terms.

But once a politician always a politician.

Mr. Baker, a staunch Democrat, now says he and his family will consider a possible challenge to popular GOP Gov. Larry Hogan, telling The Washington Post this week that a decision won’t come until after the November presidential election. (He’s with Hillary, of course.)

“I don’t base [my decision] on what the political climate is,” Mr. Baker said. “It’s whether I think I can do a good job and whether it is right for me and my family at that time — and if I can get the things done that I want to do.”

Having also served nearly a decade in the Maryland House of Delegates beginning in 1994, it’s clear that Mr. Bakerlikes elective politics and politicking. What’s not so clear, however, is that Mr. Baker has a clear vision of the needs of public education in his county, which is in more turmoil now than during the fierce busing desegregation battles of the 1970s. And much of the tension stems from Mr. Baker’s move to take over administration of the troubled system and run it himself.

The school system leadership vacuum stems from the decision by the state to honor Mr. Baker’s request to take the reins a few years back. This year alone, parents, students and teachers have had to deal with child and sex abuse allegations, with some of those allegations involving the troubled Head Start program and special-needs students.

This week, another scandal broke in the news — a cover-up within the school hierarchy. The chief of staff of Mr. Baker’s handpicked superintendent was forced out this week.

The most pressing consideration here is timing. For one thing, there’s the tick-tick-tick of the term-limits clock. Then there’s this economic development project called MGM National Harbor that is expected to open in December. A monster gambling/hotel/entertainment/dining/retail venue, the MGM National Harbor will rival anything in the Washington region, and Mr. Baker has a lot riding personally on its success. When the doors open, you won’t have to gamble on whether Mr. Baker will be all grits and grins, since the project was snagged during his watch.

But one could still question whether his gubernatorial gambit is a distraction, political cover, so to speak. After all, public schooling has always been a key issue in Mr. Baker’s arsenal. He offers a taste of his pitch on his RushernBaker.com website: “His scholastic achievements represented a triumph over early struggles with reading, a success made possible by the tenacity and support of his family and teachers. Rushern, an active reader and accomplished lawyer, has remained a steadfast advocate of the importance of teachers and education throughout his career.”

Would candidate Baker — or Gov. Baker — remain such a steadfast advocate?

Maybe. Maybe not.

For sure, however, Mr. Baker needs to take a lead on the home front, where parents, and local and state leaders are questioning whether he has a firm grip on the education reins.

Prince George’s families and voters have a right to expect Mr. Baker will be their chief and primary advocate. Pronto.

Politics and politicking be damned.

• Deborah Simmons can be contacted at dsimmons@washingtontimes.com.

Via washington times. 

• Sign the Petition here>>Petition to Investigate PGCPS Headstart Child Abuse Launched!
• Read more>>> BOE political cronyism-nepotism refresher
• Read more >>> It is time for Gov. Larry Hogan to step in and Help fix PGCPS.
• Read more >>>PGCPS parents demand changes ASAP at school board meeting.

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Charges against PGCPS bus aide took too long, school union says

Michael Patopie, 38, of Capitol Heights has been charged with second-degree child abuse, sex abuse of a minor, second-degree assault and other sex offenses,

PRINCE GEORGE’S CO., MD (WUSA9) – As prosecutors announced charges against a bus aide accused of sexual abuse, the union that once represented him says it took too long and concerns reported by another member were ignored.

“We’re being directed to report [abuse],” said Shirley Kirkland. “Once it’s reported it’s up to the peers to do what they’re supposed to do and that’s not happening.”

Kirkland is the President of the union that represents support professionals working for Prince George’s County Public Schools George’s, ACE-AFSCME Local 2250.

She says a now retired bus driver, reported Michael Patopie to her superiors in November of 2015, after witnessing inappropriate behaviors. The superiors, Kirkland says, ignored it.

“[The driver] made the report that she thought she saw this member or this gentleman inappropriately touching a student. She even let them know that she thought she saw him kiss the student on the temple,” Kirkland said.

“She did everything that she was supposed to do… She made the report and she reported it to her peers. It wasn’t taken seriously.”

Police arrested Patopie Tuesday morning and charged him with second degree child abuse, sexual abuse of a minor, and assault.

According to police, Patopie was caught on tape, inappropriately touching two students – a four year old and five year old – in November of 2015 and in May of 2016.

Kirkland says the arrest should’ve happened sooner, if the reports of the bus driver were taken seriously.

“It would’ve been earlier,” she said, “had it been addressed properly.”

Since, by her account, it wasn’t, Kirkland says it’s time for the person in charge of the school system to step aside.

When asked if CEO Kevin Maxwell should resign, Kirkland said, “yes. I do, and I’m saying that because there’s no way in the world these things should be taking place and you know nothing about it.”

In response to those calls, a spokesperson for Maxwell told WUSA9, Dr. Maxwell is “committed” to the school system.

“This work is personal to him: He was raised in Prince George’s County, began his career in education here and lives in this community,” the spokesperson wrote in an email. “Dr. Maxwell hopes to address the school system’s longstanding challenges through better collaboration and communication with all stakeholders.”

Maxwell has previously said he did not learn about the allegations against Patopie until August of this year.

In a statement today he said he is “sickened” by the allegations.

“I am horrified by the nature of these crimes, sickened and angry that this individual may have preyed upon our students. We will cooperate fully with our law enforcement partners to ensure that he is held accountable,” the statement said.

A spokesperson for the school system says they’ve begun the process of firing Patopie.

He is currently being held on $500,000 bond.

via wusa9

• Sign the Petition here>>Petition to Investigate PGCPS Headstart Child Abuse Launched!
• Read more>>> BOE political cronyism-nepotism refresher
• Read more >>> It is time for Gov. Larry Hogan to step in and Help fix PGCPS.
• Read more >>>PGCPS parents demand changes ASAP at school board meeting.

Shirley Kirkland (Seen here) is the President of the union that represents support professionals working for Prince George’s County Public Schools George’s, ACE-AFSCME Local 2250. – Kirkland when asked if CEO Kevin Maxwell should resign, Kirkland said, “yes. I do, and I’m saying that because there’s no way in the world these things should be taking place and you know nothing about it.”

Shirley Adams – A former President of ACE-AFSCME Local 2250 Union and Prince George’s County school bus driver told News4 she twice reported a school bus aide’s inappropriate behavior to her boss before telling Child Protective Services. County Bureau Chief Tracee Wilkins reported.

Chief Executive Officer Kevin Maxwell visits Suitland High school on Aug. 23, 2016. (Marvin Joseph/The Washington Post)

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PGCPS School Bus Aide Accused of Molesting Students Charged

Michael Patopie, 38, of Capitol Heights has been charged with second-degree child abuse, sex abuse of a minor, second-degree assault and other sex offenses,

A school bus aide has been charged following allegations he molested special education, pre-kindergarten children on a Prince George’s County school bus.

Michael Patopie, 38, of Capitol Heights has been charged with second-degree child abuse, sex abuse of a minor, second-degree assault and other sex offenses, the Prince George’s County State’s Attorney’s Office said.

• School Bus Driver Says She Reported Aide Accused of Abuse

Police say Patopis inappropriately touched two students while they were on the school bus in November 2015 and in May 2016.

A former Prince George’s County school bus driver told News4 she saw Patopie inappropriately touching the victims in November 2015 and reported it to her supervisors. Months later, she anonymously reported the incident to Child Protective Services (CPS).

CPS then alerted the parents of one of the victims, a 4-year-old boy with special needs. The victim’s parents were told bus cameras caught the abuse and they were shown enough video to identify their son, but they had not seen the alleged abuse.

The parents said they were told the same thing happened to another child on the bus. According the charging documents, the second victim is 5 years old and reported the alleged abuse to his mother.

The children involved have verbal delays and trouble communicating.

“My son might say one or two words, but he does not say sentences at all, and I saw something change, but I just didn’t think of that,” the mother of the 4 year old said.

The bus was carrying students from James Ryder Randall Elementary School in Clinton, Maryland. An unrelated investigation found students in the school’s Head Start program were forced to hold objects over their heads for a long time as punishment in June.

Prince George’s County Police confirmed they are investigating the incident, which was reported to CPS May 24 and to police June 20. The boy reported more information to police in August, according to sources. The boy’s father said the incident happened in November.

PGCPS CEO Dr. Kevin Maxwell said he didn’t find out until August, when school started.

“When I became aware of it, I had those folks placed on administrative leave,” he said. “I can’t act on what I don’t know.”

Many parents say they’re struggling to understand why the school district’s leader didn’t know about the allegations.

Prince George’s County Public Schools confirmed the aide and his supervisor are on administrative leave. Maxwell said the school system is “moving to immediately seek” Patopie’s termination.

“I am horrified by the nature of these crimes, sickened and angry that this individual may have preyed upon our students,” Maxwell said.

Patopie is being held at the Prince George’s County Department of Corrections on a $500,000 bond.

Seven months ago, the community was horrified after learning a former teacher’s aide was reportedly sexually abusing students at another county school.

Source: School Bus Aide Accused of Molesting Prince George’s County Students Charged | NBC4 Washington http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/School-Bus-Aide-Accused-of-Molesting-Prince-Georges-County-Students-Charged-394949241.html#ixzz4LUcQLrCE

• >>>Sign the Petition here>>Petition to Investigate PGCPS Headstart Child Abuse Launched!
• Read more>>> BOE political cronyism-nepotism refresher
• Read more >>> It is time for Gov. Larry Hogan to step in and Help fix PGCPS.
• Read more >>>PGCPS parents demand changes ASAP at school board meeting.

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PHOTOS: Protesters demand rules change, resignations at PGCPS.

During a protest Monday, Co-Chair of the group Citizens For An Elected Board, David Cahn (in front with white hat) said politics is being given priority over children. (WTOP/Kristi King)

UPPER MARLBORO, Md. — Fed up with recent scandals and repeated allegations of student abuse and neglect by employees of Prince George’s County schools, protesters Monday demanded new leadership and changes to how school officials are selected.

 Protesters want Maryland’s legislature to repeal a 2013 law that gave the Prince George’s county executive the power to appoint the county school board’s chair, vice chair and the school system’s CEO, among other positions.

The law is commonly referred to as HB 1107.

“We’ve got no accountability here,” said David Cahn, the co-chair of Citizens for an Elected Board. He pointed to the fact that the school board doesn’t control the CEO, Kevin Maxwell, who is appointed by County Executive Rushern Baker. And many members of the board are also appointed by Baker.

Protesters called for the resignations of Baker and Maxwell, as well as school board chair Segun C. Eubanks and vice chair Carolyn M. Boston.

About 20 protesters at the gathering included school board member Edward Burroughs III (District 8), Democratic Central Committee Assistant Secretary Belinda Queen-Howard (District 25), as well as parents and members of the public.

“HB 1107 needs to be repealed,” said the father of a four-year-old special needs student who is part of an ongoing investigation involving allegations of student abuse by a school bus aide. WTOP is not using the father’s name to protect his child’s identity.

“Now (power) is just handed to one person because of this law,” he said. “So, we need to repeal that law and put it the hands of the board so they can do votes and change the system, so it’ll be a better place for kids.”

https://twitter.com/kingWTOP/status/780479151136346112

 The recent cases of abuse and neglect should not be confused with how school leaders are chosen in the county, a spokesman for Prince George’s County Executive Rushern Baker told WTOP.

Scott Peterson said in a statement that the 2013 governance changes have helped pave the way for recent successes including historic highs in graduation rates and a top ten statewide ranking in English and language arts scores.

Read Peterson’s entire statement to WTOP below:

“We should always applaud citizens who come together and exercise their right to assemble and express their concerns about an issue that impacts our County.

When HB 1107 was passed in 2013, it was designed to create a governance structure that would better position Prince George’s County Public Schools to be more successful academically and operationally, and ultimately to move us from the bottom to the top in the state’s school system rankings.

Three and a half years later, we have

•  Significantly expanded full-day pre-kindergarten (we’ve increased this important first phase of education for our youngest students from 8 programs to 50 pre-kindergarten programs),
• Implemented more rigorous academic standards and programs, and provided more choice for students and parents, throughout all grades,
• Achieved historic highs in graduation rates (close to 80% of our students are graduating) and 9th grade promotion rates (which means that fewer of our students are dropping out),
• Improved test scores significantly (our students ranked in the Top 10 of statewide English and Language Arts scores),
• Increased enrollment in our schools substantially (130,000 students are now attending), and the overall college and career readiness of our children is improving as well.

The recent cases of deplorable behavior by some school employees are extremely disturbing, but we should not confuse these incidents with the governance changes that have paved the way for our success over the last few years. These challenges are a reflection of an organization that is going through a much needed cultural change after an inordinate number of leadership and policy changes that may have blurred our primary focus on the safety of our children. This is a defining moment for our school system and just as we focused like a laser on reforming our academic programs and offerings, we must approach the safety of our children with the same unwavering focus and vigor.

The achievements of PGCPS over the last three years cannot be overlooked. We must keep marching forward and build on our academic successes by creating an attitude and culture in our schools where everyone, from the bus driver to the principal, is focused on sustaining an absolutely safe and nurturing learning environment for all students.”

via WTOP

• >>>Sign the Petition here>>Petition to Investigate PGCPS Headstart Child Abuse Launched!
• Read more>>> BOE political cronyism-nepotism refresher
• Read more >>> It is time for Gov. Larry Hogan to step in and Help fix PGCPS.
• Read more >>>PGCPS parents demand changes ASAP at school board meeting.

 Below is a session of the event in pictures.

During a protest Monday, Co-Chair of the group Citizens For An Elected Board, David Cahn (in front with white hat) said politics is being given priority over children. (WTOP/Kristi King)

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Vote NO on Question D in Prince George’s County.

There are many ways to accomplish goals and a way to involve the communities into a discussion. Several schools have been closed in prince Georges county community in a very short span of time to save millions they said.

Now, the county council wants to look out for themselves and spend 1 million plus to add on two (2) seats that the community can do without. We can have at large members without adding all this on on a cash strapped county. Please  “VOTE NO on Question D” and if we are going to address this,  the council needs to involve the people from the grounds up.

Spread the word and circulate this information widely. “Vote No” on “Question D” during the November 8, 2016 Presidential Election.

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Activists, parents call for change within the PGCPS system

Activists, parents call for change within the Prince George’s County school system (ABC7)

UPPER MARLBORO, Md.  — About 20 activists rallied for change in front of the Prince George’s County Administration Building on Monday in Upper Marlboro.
The activists say problems have grown too many and too great for the current leadership of the system.

“We’re tired of the stale baked goods,” said Jacques Chevalier. “We’re tired of Mr. Maxwell, who is not fulfilling what he needs to do in Prince George’s County as head of the school system.”

“We’ve had one scandal after another and now we are at a point where the scandals involve the abuse and molestation of children,” said Tonya Wingfield.

Charles Nichols was among the marchers. He says his four-year-old, special needs son was molested by a school bus aide in an incident that is now being screened by the Maryland State Attorney’s office for possible charges.

Nichols spoke openly for the first time at the rally.

“I’m out here as a father trying to speak for my son,” said Nichols. “The bus aide that molested my son is still walking around, nobody has been charged.”

In addition to the ousting of school system CEO Kevin Maxwell, the group wants to repeal the 2013 law, which gave County Executive Rushern Baker control over the school board and the system CEO.

In response, Baker issued a statement saying his leadership is making the system better academically.

Via WJLA

• >>>Sign the Petition here>>Petition to Investigate PGCPS Headstart Child Abuse Launched!
• Read more>>> BOE political cronyism-nepotism refresher

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Timeline reveals depth of Prince George’s head start crisis

UPPER MARLBORO (WUSA9) – From allegations of child abuse, to cries of “cover up”, the Prince George’s County School system has been upended by a scandal in the Head Start program that forced federal officials to take over, and cost the a county $6.4 million grant.

Here is a timeline that helps explain how school officials kept an allegedly abusive teacher working with children while failing to meet federal demands to protect children’s safety.

THE INCIDENT

Dec. 17, 2015: A Head Start teacher at the H. Winship Wheatley Early Education Center in Capitol Heights, Md. allegedly humiliates a 3-­year-­old boy who wet himself during naptime. The teacher is accused of forcing the child to stand in front of his classmates with wet clothes on. She is accused of forcing him to mop up urine while she takes photos. She sends the photos and mocking texts to the child’s mother.

WORKER ACCUSED OF DISCOURAGING REPORT

Dec. 22, 2015: Victim’s mother discusses her concerns with a Head Start Family Service worker but is discouraged from reporting the incident, according to a federal report.

FIRST REPORT KEPT “IN HOUSE” DESPITE THE LAW

Jan, 12, 2016: The mother has a change of heart and formally reports the incident to the Family Service Worker. Despite a law requiring immediate reporting to Prince George’s County Child Protective Services or police, the worker keeps the matter in­house by sending an email reporting a “Parent Concern” to Principal Julie Orgettas and Head Start Program director Sandra Kee.

TEACHER PLACED ON LEAVE, BUT NOT FOR LONG

Jan. 14, 2016: The Wheatley teacher is placed on administrative leave.  She will be reinstated and moved to another school within a month and will continue to work with children even after federal investigators begin an inquiry and confirm the allegations.

VICTIM’S MOM TELLS TOP OFFICIALS EARLY ON

Jan. 19, 2016: The victim’s mother sends an email, including screen­grabs of the abusive photos and texts throughout the administration of the Prince George’s County School System. Recipients include: School System CEO Dr. Kevin Maxwell, program supervisor Laura Barbee­ Matthews, area instruction director Dr. Judith White, and Executive Director of Curriculum and Instruction Dr. Gladys Whitehead.

OUTSIDE AUTHORTIES FINALLY NOTIFIED

Jan. 20, 2016: The abuse incident is formally reported to Prince George’s County Child Protective Services by the school system, 8 days later than legally required.  While CPS does not return a finding against the teacher, her actions appear to have violated Head Start and PGCPS policies against bullying students and taking and sharing photographs of children.  Even so, she is cleared to return to the school.

VICTIM’S MOM APPLIES FOR PROTECTIVE ORDER

Feb. 8 2016: With the teacher off suspension, the victim’s mother swears out peace order against teacher to prevent her from entering the building where the child is, according to Maryland court online records.

HEAD START OFFICIALS NOTIFIED

Feb. 10, 2015 PGCPS Head Start Director notifies Head Start Regional office of the incident.

“SHE WILL BE MISSED”: TEACHER IS TRANSFERRED

Feb. 19, 2016: The teacher is assigned to work at a different Early Education Center.  An announcement to parents from Principal Orgettas to parents says, “She will be missed, but we wish her well with this new opportunity.”  While no longer being paid from the federal Head Start grant, the teacher remains an employee of PGCPS and is assigned to work directly with children.

 

FEDERAL INVESTIGATORS GO TO WORK

Feb. 22, 2016: A federal investigation is launched by the US Administration for Children and Families. This is the same day PGCPS announces the formation of a school safety task force as the system grapples with allegations that teacher’s aide Deonte Carraway produced child porn at the Sylvania Woods Elementary School

SCHOOL OFFICIALS ACCUSED OF BLOCKING PROBE

Feb. 23, 2016: Federal investigators demand documentation on the school system’s reports to Child Protective Services but school officials “refused to provide the information”, according to the investigators’ report.

TOP OFFICIALS NOTIFIED OF DEFICIENCIES BUT TEACHER STILL ON THE JOB

Feb. 29, 2016: Prince George’s County Public Schools is formally notified by the US Administration for Children and Families that the report of abuse is confirmed. A demand to correct “deficiencies” is included in the report. Among the recipients of the report is PGCPS CEO Kevin Maxwell. The teacher in the matter remains on the job at her new assignment.

PGCPS NEEDS MORE TIME

March 4, 2016: Extension requested to submit corrective action plan, which was subsequently granted.

PGCPS TRIES TO CORRECT PROBLEMS

Mar. 10, 2016: As part of an effort to comply with the Federal findings, at least 10 Head Start teachers and staff get retrained on confidentiality rules.

PARENT COUNCIL BRIEFED ON SITUATION

March 16, 2016: The Head Start Advisory Council, a group made up of parents, holds a meeting and discusses the federal findings, according to minutes of the meeting.

ALLEGATIONS OF A “COVER-UP”

April 7, 2016: PGCPS CEO Maxwell’s Chief of Staff George Margolies sends an email to a deputy superintendent reporting that he has successfully prevented a Board of Education member from putting the Head Start Advisory Council’s minutes on the agenda for public discussion in an upcoming Board meeting. Opponents will later seize on this as proof of an attempted “cover­up” at the highest levels. Maxwell denies this. He says the email was taken out of context and, in fact, it was a discussion about how to handle reporting of various matters to the Board of Education over a period of years without clogging the Board’s agenda.

THE CLOCK IS TICKING

April 11, 2016: The deadline set by federal investigators for the correction of deficiencies.

April 12-14, 2016:  Federal follow-up inspections occur which determine deficiencies are not corrected.  PGCPS officials claim they were not notified of these findings until August.

NO PUBLIC DISCUSSION AT BOARD OF EDUCATION

April 14, 2016: Board of Education meets but does not discuss Head Start in public session. The minutes of the Advisory Council are posted on­line as “follow up items” and go unnoticed by the public and press. Board Chairman Dr. Segun Eubanks later says the board was briefed on Head Start during a private executive session that some members did not attend.

PGCPS GRAPPLES WITH CRISIS

May 31, 2016: The School Safety Task Force formed after the Deonte Carraway child porn case releases 61 recommendations including calls for better background checks, supervision and training of staff.

MORE NEGLECT AND ABUSE DISCOVERED

June 9 , 2016: An unattended 5­year old wanders away from the Langley Park Head Start program and arrives home alone.

June 15, 2016: Head Start teachers at the James Ryder elementary school are accused of humiliating and abusing preschoolers by forcing them to hold boxes of heavy books overhead as punishment.

June 10­-17, 2016: A federal follow up investigation determines new deficiencies are present and others remain uncorrected.  PGCPS officials say they were not informed of this until August.

THE HAMMER FALLS

Aug 12, 2016 The US Administration for Children and Families formally notifies the PGCPS that it’s $6.4 million Head Start grant is suspended because of the system’s failure to protect children. The report notes that some PGCPS officials refused to provide requested information during the investigation.  A process begins to transfer the management and budget of Prince George’s County Head Start to a Denver­-based contractor.

TEACHER SUSPENDED AGAIN NOW THAT CASE IS PUBLIC

August 18, 2016:  The teacher in the December abuse incident at the Wheatley school is placed on administrative leave for a second time.  This time she will be recommended for firing.

SCHOOL CEO STRUGGLES WITH QUESTIONS

Aug. 23, 2016: At a press event on first day of school, Maxwell says he didn’t know about the Head Start situation until “sometime in April”,  Despite federal records showing he and other top officials were notified on February 29.  Maxwell says: “We’ve had a very small number of people make a very large number of people look very poorly.”

PGCPS THOWS IN THE TOWEL

Aug. 25, 2016: The Prince George’s County Board of Education votes not to appeal the Head Start grant suspension which will allow PGCPS to negotiate an interim operating agreement and leaves open the door to re-apply for the grant in the future.

BACK TO SCHOOL

Aug 29, 2016: Head Start’s first day of school.

TEACHERS AND STAFF FIRED

Sept 1, 2016 Maxwell announces that 6 employees involved in the scandal, including the teacher in the Wheatley incident have been put on administrative leave. He says he has fired 3 and recommends 3 others for immediate firing by the Board of Education.

CEO FACES QUESTIONS

Sept. 20, 2016:  Maxwell tells a WUSA9 reporter that “the teacher was immediately moved out of Head Start Program” in the early days of the scandal.  He did not mention she was merely transferred off the Head Start Grant and continued to work as a PGCPS teacher at another school.

TOP STAFFER FIRED

Sept. 21, 2016:  Chief of Staff George Margolies is fired after his email is leaked to WUSA9.

CALLS FOR CEO TO RESIGN AND AN OUTSIDE AUDIT

Sept. 22, 2016:  As dissident Board members call for Maxwell to step down, PGCPS announces it will request an independent audit of the situation from the Maryland State Department of Education.

via wusa9

On Sept. 21, 2016:  PGCPS Chief of Staff George Margolies was fired after his email was leaked to WUSA9 for engaging in misconduct and cover ups .

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