The Parents' Coalition has obtained the Statement of Charges from the May 2, 2013, arrest of MCPS teacher Lawrence Joynes. The Statement of Charges is reproduced below with information redacted.
Read the Statement of Charges and see if you think the Eastern Middle School principal's handling of this was in compliance with Maryland law. Are children to be confronted when there are suspicions about teacher - student relationships, or do child protection laws call for an immediate investigation by Child Protective Services?
Lawrence Joynes was at 5 schools following these incidents at Eastern Middle School:
Eastern Middle School: 1990-1997
Francis Scott Key Middle School
Kemp Mill Elementary School
Cresthaven Elementary School
Sligo Creek Elementary School
New Hampshire Estates Elementary School 2002-2013 [Homeland Security investigation and arrest in Baltimore County]
Note that additional charges were filed as to Mr. Joynes in February and August of this year. This document is just the Statement of Charges that was filed in the District Court of Rockville, Maryland on May 2, 2013.
Obviously, principals are not qualified to deal with perpetrators who are completely evil and devious. Perhaps, this principal is starting a new field entitled "forensic principalship," which would be against Maryland law. Any professional, who suspects child abuse or neglect is required to report or risk loss of their license. Certain bills to criminalize non reporting have been introduced in Annapolis but have not passed.
ReplyDeleteWere the reporting laws the same in 1993 as they are now? If yes, then it was mishandled by the Principal. If no, how are they different, and did the Principal not follow the letter of the law as it existed in 1993? Further, if there are differences, is it correct to judge the Principal's actions with the lens of current law as opposed to the the lens of the law as it existed 20 years ago?
ReplyDeleteThe law has never said when an adult suspects child abuse just ask the child and drop it.
DeleteThe law and MCPS policy has always been to refer the suspected allegations to CPS. In fact, interviewing the child prior to contacting CPS might taint any investigation.
DeleteAt Kemp Mill Elementary School, teachers were abused by the principal for reporting to CPS. Emily Weltchek, a teacher who left the county and is now teaching in private school, was threatened by her principal, Floyd Starnes for reporting an incident to CPS. The secretary of the school and teachers at the school reported the principal for inappropriate behavior toward students and nothing happened to the principal. The principal still sits at Kemp Mill Elementary School. Where is CPS of Montgomery County in all of this? Joynes would still be at New Hampshire Estate ES if Baltimore CPS had not become involved. Why isn't Montgomery County CPS following the law and investigating reports made by teachers and parents against MCPS employees? I thought that MCPS employees were to be removed from their school while being investigated. All of this needs to be thoroughly investigated.
ReplyDeleteNo. Joynes was removed from the classroom only after HOMELAND SECURITY (not Child Protective Services) discovered his extensive collection of child pornography, including pictures taken in a music CLASSROOM.
DeleteJoynes had been allowed to remain in the classroom by MCPS even though there were restrictions on his ability to TOUCH his students and be ALONE with students.
http://parentscoalitionmc.blogspot.com/2013/09/would-you-put-your-child-in-classroom.html
Mr. Joynes would still be in the classroom today if Superintendent Joshua Starr had his way.
Thank you for the clarification. So, if a teacher or parent has information regarding a principal or staff member with regard to suspect behavior, we must now contact homeland security?!! Thank you for that information.
ReplyDelete