MoCo school board ordered to pay $518K to former B-CC High teacher accused of racism

County jury rules that board, not school principal, defamed educator

Article in Bethesda Today by Ashlyn Campbell. To read the entire article go here.

A Montgomery County Circuit Court jury on Wednesday ordered the county school board to pay former Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School teacher Dan Engler $518,000 in damages after finding the board was ultimately responsible for defaming Engler in a 2023 email accusing him of racism that was sent to the B-CC community.   

The jury awarded the damages after a seven-day trial that revolved around the email sent by B-CC Principal Sheldon Mooney in response to a complaint by two Black students that Engler had made racist comments to them in his classroom on Feb. 8, 2023. The email was vetted by numerous Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) administrators, according to court testimony. The school board oversees MCPS. 

In August 2023, Engler and his attorney David Wachen filed a defamation lawsuit against Mooney and the school board seeking more than $75,000 in damages, according to the complaint. Engler, who taught at B-CC for 18 years before going on medical leave in February 2023, now teaches at Walt Whitman High in Bethesda.    

After several hours of deliberation Wednesday, the jury returned a verdict finding the school board defamed Engler, but Mooney did not. The jury awarded Engler a total of $518,000 in damages and interest.

More antisemitism, this time at B-CC High School

 From the principal:

 February 15, 2024

Dear Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School Families,

I am writing to share information regarding a deeply concerning incident that occurred earlier today. This morning a student was walking in the hall during a class change loudly using anti-Semetic language. Specifically the student made the comment “Those stupid Holocaust Survivors.” The incident has been investigated and appropriate consequences have been administered in accordance with the MCPS Student Code of Conduct. In addition, the offending student has and will continue to be educated about the impact of their actions today.

At B-CC we do not tolerate slurs or hate speech of any kind. Our diverse student body and school community is a source of strength for us and statements such as those made today are unacceptable and are contrary to the values we uphold as a school. It is important that we continue our work with all our students to help them understand the inherent value our diversity offers and how hateful and hurtful words impact others. We need your help so that B-CC remains a respectful and inclusive place for all. These actions do not represent the values that B-CC and MCPS uphold.

We have and will continue to have a zero tolerance for hate/biased speech or gestures. Our Board of Education policy and MCPS regulations expressly prohibit the use of language, images, or symbols that promote hatred. Furthermore, we expect every member of our school community, both students and staff, to treat one another with respect and dignity, regardless of their personal characteristics or differences.

I encourage parents to talk with their children about respecting our differences.  Please help them to understand the weight that intolerable words, actions, and symbols carry with them.  If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the school at 240-740-0400.

Sincerely,

 

Shelton Mooney, Ed.D.

Principal

Medical Treatment For Staffers Who Broke Up Fight At Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School

From the Patch, by reporter Mark Hand. full story here.

Two B-CC staff members who tried to break up a fight were knocked to the floor "sought appropriate medical treatment," the principal said.

In a letter to parents, Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School Principal Shelton Mooney said the incident took place in the school’s main lobby during lunch, WTOP reported.

Mooney wrote in the letter that after the two staff members who tried to de-escalate the situation were knocked to the floor, they “sought appropriate medical treatment.”

“Upon completion of the investigation regarding the incident, the students have received disciplinary consequences in accordance with the MCPS Student Code of Conduct,” Mooney wrote.