Dedicated to improving responsiveness and performance of Montgomery County Public Schools
Wednesday, February 25, 2015
14 Montgomery County teachers are among the nearly 400 that have been disciplined by the State of Maryland. Tonight at 11, Andrea McCarren shows us why their licenses were revoked or suspended.
Tonight on the WUSA 9 news at 11 PM. Part 2 of Andrea McCarren's report on the sexual abuse of students by teachers and staff.
I think a big issue is that parents are fearful of retaliation. We need to look at that issue very seriously to prevent future abuse. What is going on in the system that creates such a fear???
Some of Daniel Picca's colleagues were outraged by his dismissal, and steamrolled over anyone who disagreed with them, both colleagues and parents. To this day there are people who still think Picca could do no wrong and believe that he was set up, as evidenced by some of the comments that follow Ms. McCarren's reports on Channel 9. Channel 9 should have posted the BOE's decision that not only upheld Picca's termination, but also stated it was way overdue.
The abuses occurring at Kemp Mill Elementary also included abuse toward children by the principal of the school. Dan Picca was finally terminated, but the principal still remains at the school. Is he in the data base? How many directives does he have? He repeatedly took children into a closet with him. He was reported to CPS by parents and teachers.
I do know a few principals who have tried to get rid of teachers that they have received complaints about from other teachers in the building, however the principals can do nothing. Their hands are tied by the compliance director. The principals cannot talk about it and have no power to remove the person. They also come up against MCEA.
If the principal catches the person in action, videos the inappropriate action, then submits it as evidence, then the union MIGHT consider removing the teacher. I've talked to some principals who are angry that the teacher just gets transferred to a different building. Often times principals must sit in meetings and aren't allowed to speak against the teacher. It's outrageous.
Their hands are not tied. They pick up the phone and call 911. Easy.
You have highlighted the problem with MCPS. MCPS is NOT to do any investigations. All teachers and administrators and parents need to do is call the POLICE and Child Protective Services. That's it.
Easy.
But they don't do that. They do internal "investigations", move the teacher, and hide the charges by putting the teachers name on a secret LIST.
I should have been clear, the teachers who reported to principals have reported what they believe is suspicious behavior. I know a principal who did in fact call the police based on a teacher's report, only to be told that they could not do anything because there was not actual breaking of the law, only suspicious behavior.
The teacher did not like the way the teacher in question spoke to the children and that he closed his door when he was with them. The principal was told to tell him to keep his door open and not to use language that might be misinterpreted.
This program investigates reports of suspected child abuse and neglect to ensure the safety of children and help families stay together. This hotline responds to calls about children living in Montgomery County. Service(s): Children's Protective Services
Target Population: Abused Children
Information Number: 240-777-4417
Location(s):
MidCounty DHHS Building 1301 Piccard Drive, Rockville, MD 20850
Teachers and voters. The teachers union picks the BOE. Voters vote for the "apple" ballot. Apple BOE members are elected. The apple BOE tolerates this type of system.
So, the "bully" administrators are now taking the heat for hiding the problems and discouraging reporting, which is illegal. Anyone, especially mandated reporters, are legally bound to report suspicious behavior to CPS or the Police. What is the benefit to such administrators to discourage reporting and face legal problems and possible loss of credentials and employment? MCPS must resolve this culture of intimidation or face major lawsuits.
Yes, you are right. The laws are designed to encourage reporting through the provision of immunity for reports. However, MD is the only State in this country that has no language in our reporting laws about penalties for failing to report. Although most states consider the failure to report a misdemeanor, others consider it to be a felony. Last year, a proposed bill to create a penalty for failing to report plus required training failed to pass. This year there is a different proposal for a graduated response. This approach acknowledges that some mandated require more education to comply with reporting laws, but also strengthens protection for vulnerable children.
Suggest that this issue be put on a ballot, in plain English, instead of some obscure issue that is explained with arcane language in order to confuse the electorate. Or would this be considered heresy?
"Mandated reporters". lol.....now that's a new one and also, the parents and their advocates are the ones intimidating.. .I am bilingual. Read or have someone interpret what the responding poster wrote in the Spanish written article. The poster is pouring his/her heart out about going up and down the school system to get justice for a child and getting everything deflected.
What makes you think that reports to CPS are confidential? I know a teacher who reported to CPS and was then called in by her principal after CPS contacted him about the teacher and the teacher was severely retaliated against. CPS works hand in hand with MCPS. Some principals believe that it reflects negatively upon them to have an outside agency called. Remember, these principals have been trained well on the art of sweeping everything under the rug. Reputation is everything in MCPS. Honesty and integrity are not seen as virtues in MCPS. Why such extreme fear by employees and parents of MCPS? Swift retaliation by people in power. What you are seeing is only the tip of the iceberg. Dana Tofig and MCPS/BOE lawyers are very adept at using their power and legal loopholes to avoid transparency when it comes to this issue. I wonder how many principals are in the MCPS data base? If you look at the records of principals, they are simply moved from school to school as well, or they are left in title I schools with the same directives as teachers who are on notice.
What makes you think that reports to CPS are confidential? I know a teacher who reported to CPS and was then called in by her principal after CPS contacted him about the teacher and the teacher was severely retaliated against. CPS works hand in hand with MCPS. Some principals believe that it reflects negatively upon them to have an outside agency called. Remember, these principals have been trained well on the art of sweeping everything under the rug. Reputation is everything in MCPS. Honesty and integrity are not seen as virtues in MCPS. Why such extreme fear by employees and parents of MCPS? Swift retaliation by people in power. What you are seeing is only the tip of the iceberg. Dana Tofig and MCPS/BOE lawyers are very adept at using their power and legal loopholes to avoid transparency when it comes to this issue. I wonder how many principals are in the MCPS data base? If you look at the records of principals, they are simply moved from school to school as well, or they are left in title I schools with the same directives as teachers who are on notice.
I think a big issue is that parents are fearful of retaliation. We need to look at that issue very seriously to prevent future abuse. What is going on in the system that creates such a fear???
ReplyDeleteBullying and retaliation against the children.
DeleteTake a look at the Twitter feed of the MCPS Public Information Officer today.
Check out yesterday's Tweets before the WUSA 9 story on sexual abuse of students by staff.
I think it's time for UNICEF to do an impartial investigation.
DeleteThey bully staff who try to speak up, why wouldn't they bully families and children?
ReplyDeleteSome of Daniel Picca's colleagues were outraged by his dismissal, and steamrolled over anyone who disagreed with them, both colleagues and parents. To this day there are people who still think Picca could do no wrong and believe that he was set up, as evidenced by some of the comments that follow Ms. McCarren's reports on Channel 9. Channel 9 should have posted the BOE's decision that not only upheld Picca's termination, but also stated it was way overdue.
DeleteThe abuses occurring at Kemp Mill Elementary also included abuse toward children by the principal of the school. Dan Picca was finally terminated, but the principal still remains at the school. Is he in the data base? How many directives does he have? He repeatedly took children into a closet with him. He was reported to CPS by parents and teachers.
DeleteI do know a few principals who have tried to get rid of teachers that they have received complaints about from other teachers in the building, however the principals can do nothing. Their hands are tied by the compliance director. The principals cannot talk about it and have no power to remove the person. They also come up against MCEA.
ReplyDeleteIf the principal catches the person in action, videos the inappropriate action, then submits it as evidence, then the union MIGHT consider removing the teacher. I've talked to some principals who are angry that the teacher just gets transferred to a different building. Often times principals must sit in meetings and aren't allowed to speak against the teacher. It's outrageous.
Their hands are not tied. They pick up the phone and call 911. Easy.
DeleteYou have highlighted the problem with MCPS. MCPS is NOT to do any investigations. All teachers and administrators and parents need to do is call the POLICE and Child Protective Services. That's it.
Easy.
But they don't do that. They do internal "investigations", move the teacher, and hide the charges by putting the teachers name on a secret LIST.
I should have been clear, the teachers who reported to principals have reported what they believe is suspicious behavior. I know a principal who did in fact call the police based on a teacher's report, only to be told that they could not do anything because there was not actual breaking of the law, only suspicious behavior.
DeleteThe teacher did not like the way the teacher in question spoke to the children and that he closed his door when he was with them. The principal was told to tell him to keep his door open and not to use language that might be misinterpreted.
Child Protective Services:
DeleteChild Abuse and Neglect Hotline
This program investigates reports of suspected child abuse and neglect to ensure the safety of children and help families stay together. This hotline responds to calls about children living in Montgomery County.
Service(s): Children's Protective Services
Target Population: Abused Children
Information Number: 240-777-4417
Location(s):
MidCounty DHHS Building
1301 Piccard Drive, Rockville, MD 20850
Who gives "They" the authority to bully families and children?
ReplyDeleteTeachers and voters. The teachers union picks the BOE. Voters vote for the "apple" ballot. Apple BOE members are elected. The apple BOE tolerates this type of system.
DeleteAre you implying that MoCo Voters are gluttons for punishment?
DeleteThe teachers union makes a number of endorsements, not just for BOE members...and in most cases their criteria have nothing to do with education.
DeleteMy spouse is a teacher and uses the Apple Ballot as a guide for whom to vote AGAINST.
DeleteReminds of an old saying that still holds true for most educators. An updated version is.........."he/she who cannot do teaches"
ReplyDeleteBTW all calls to Child protective services are confidential and bound by the laws of confidentiality..
So, the "bully" administrators are now taking the heat for hiding the problems and discouraging reporting, which is illegal. Anyone, especially mandated reporters, are legally bound to report suspicious behavior to CPS or the Police. What is the benefit to such administrators to discourage reporting and face legal problems and possible loss of credentials and employment? MCPS must resolve this culture of intimidation or face major lawsuits.
ReplyDeleteWrong. It's not illegal to not report in Maryland.
DeleteMaryland is, I believe, the only State in the USA that does not have a criminal penalty for failure to report. There is no penalty for not reporting.
There are no consequences for the many MCPS administrators who left abusive teachers in classrooms. None.
Yes, you are right. The laws are designed to encourage reporting through the provision of immunity for reports. However, MD is the only State in this country that has no language in our reporting laws about penalties for failing to report. Although most states consider the failure to report a misdemeanor, others consider it to be a felony. Last year, a proposed bill to create a penalty for failing to report plus required training failed to pass. This year there is a different proposal for a graduated response. This approach acknowledges that some mandated require more education to comply with reporting laws, but also strengthens protection for vulnerable children.
DeleteSuggest that this issue be put on a ballot, in plain English, instead of some obscure issue that is explained with arcane language in order to confuse the electorate. Or would this be considered heresy?
Delete"Mandated reporters". lol.....now that's a new one and also, the parents and their advocates are the ones intimidating.. .I am bilingual. Read or have someone interpret what the responding poster wrote in the Spanish written article. The poster is pouring his/her heart out about going up and down the school system to get justice for a child and getting everything deflected.
ReplyDeleteWhat makes you think that reports to CPS are confidential? I know a teacher who reported to CPS and was then called in by her principal after CPS contacted him about the teacher and the teacher was severely retaliated against. CPS works hand in hand with MCPS. Some principals believe that it reflects negatively upon them to have an outside agency called. Remember, these principals have been trained well on the art of sweeping everything under the rug. Reputation is everything in MCPS. Honesty and integrity are not seen as virtues in MCPS. Why such extreme fear by employees and parents of MCPS? Swift retaliation by people in power. What you are seeing is only the tip of the iceberg. Dana Tofig and MCPS/BOE lawyers are very adept at using their power and legal loopholes to avoid transparency when it comes to this issue. I wonder how many principals are in the MCPS data base? If you look at the records of principals, they are simply moved from school to school as well, or they are left in title I schools with the same directives as teachers who are on notice.
ReplyDeleteWhat makes you think that reports to CPS are confidential? I know a teacher who reported to CPS and was then called in by her principal after CPS contacted him about the teacher and the teacher was severely retaliated against. CPS works hand in hand with MCPS. Some principals believe that it reflects negatively upon them to have an outside agency called. Remember, these principals have been trained well on the art of sweeping everything under the rug. Reputation is everything in MCPS. Honesty and integrity are not seen as virtues in MCPS. Why such extreme fear by employees and parents of MCPS? Swift retaliation by people in power. What you are seeing is only the tip of the iceberg. Dana Tofig and MCPS/BOE lawyers are very adept at using their power and legal loopholes to avoid transparency when it comes to this issue. I wonder how many principals are in the MCPS data base? If you look at the records of principals, they are simply moved from school to school as well, or they are left in title I schools with the same directives as teachers who are on notice.
ReplyDeleteThey are supposed to be confidential in nature according to regulations, but in practice on one bothers to read them let alone comply with them.
Delete