Bravo to this former MCPS Student for Speaking Up! Another arrest of a MCPS teacher for a sex offense. Board of Education Continues Their Silence on These Arrests and Convictions. No Support for the Victims from Board of Education.

Please note that this announcement to the public was written by Derek G. Turner, the former public information officer for MCPS, Mr. Turner is now one of 3 administrators running MCPS.  Superintendent Jack R. Smith promoted Mr. Turner from the position of public information officer to administrator in charge of 1/3 of MCPS.  

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Dear Parents and Guardians:

I am writing to inform you about the arrest of Mr. Maxwell Bero, a Watkins Mill High School teacher, head boys’ varsity lacrosse coach and assistant varsity football coach, on charges of sex abuse of a minor and multiple counts of third-degree sex offense. The charges stem from alleged inappropriate sexual contact between Mr. Bero and a former Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) student while Mr. Bero was employed at Col. E. Brooke Lee Middle School during the 2014-2015 school year.

MCPS is fully cooperating with law enforcement on this matter. Mr. Bero has been placed on administrative leave.

Mr. Bero has been employed with MCPS since 2009. He worked as a substitute teacher at various MCPS schools from 2009 to 2013. In 2013, he worked as a long-term substitute at Wheaton High School and also served as head boys’ varsity lacrosse coach and assistant varsity football coach. He worked at Lee Middle School from 2013 to 2016, and has worked as a social studies teacher at Watkins Mill High School since 2016.

These charges are deeply concerning and unacceptable and represent a complete breach of trust, responsibility, integrity and the law. We hold our employees to a high standard of character and these allegations violate that. Please know that the safety of our students is our top priority and we are committed to ensuring we maintain a safe learning environment for all.

Counseling staff will be available to connect with students virtually and provide any needed counseling or support this week. Students who may need to speak with someone can reach out to their school’s counseling office for support. 

If you or your child has any information that may be helpful to the investigation, please call the Special Victims Investigations Division of the Montgomery County Police Department at 240-773-5400.

Derek G. Turner
Chief of Engagement, Innovation, and Operations
Montgomery County Public Schools

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Estimados padres, guardianes, miembros del personal y estudiantes,

Les escribo para informarles sobre el arresto del Sr. Maxwell Bero, maestro de Watkins Mill High School, entrenador de lacrosse y asistente del entrenador de fútbol americano, acusado de abuso sexual de un menor y múltiples cargos de delitos sexuales en tercer grado. Los cargos radican en un presunto contacto sexual inapropiado entre el Sr. Bero y un ex alumno de Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) mientras el Sr. Bero trabajaba en Col. E. Brooke Lee Middle School durante el ciclo escolar 2014‒2015.

MCPS está cooperando plenamente con las autoridades de seguridad en este caso. El Sr. Bero ha sido puesto en licencia administrativa.

El Sr. Bero trabaja en MCPS desde el 2009. Trabajó como maestro suplente en varias escuelas de MCPS del 2009 al 2013. En el 2013, trabajó como suplente a largo plazo en Wheaton High School y también se desempeñó como entrenador titular de lacrosse masculino y como asistente del entrenador de fútbol americano. Él trabajó en Lee Middle School del 2013 al 2016, y ha trabajado como maestro de estudios sociales en Watkins Mill High School desde 2016.

Estos cargos son profundamente alarmantes e inaceptables y representan una total violación de la confianza, la responsabilidad, la integridad y la ley. Nosotros exigimos de nuestros empleados un alto nivel de conducta y estas acusaciones son una violación de eso. Por favor sepan que la seguridad de nuestros estudiantes es nuestra mayor prioridad y estamos comprometidos a asegurarnos de mantener un entorno de aprendizaje seguro para todos.

Los consejeros escolares estarán disponibles para conectarse con los estudiantes virtualmente y proporcionarles cualquier asesoramiento o apoyo que necesiten esta semana. Los estudiantes que necesiten hablar con alguien pueden acudir a la oficina de los consejeros escolares de su escuela para recibir apoyo.

Si usted o su hijo tienen alguna información que pueda ser útil a la investigación, por favor llame a la División de Investigaciones de Víctimas Especiales del Departamento de Policía del Condado de Montgomery, teléfono 240-773-5400.