FORMER MCPS MIDDLE SCHOOL TEACHER SENTENCED TO 50 YEARS IN PRISON Maxwell Bero, 31, of Point of Rocks, Md., was sentenced to 50 years in prison, with all but eight years suspended

Maxwell Bero, 31, of Point of Rocks, Md., was sentenced to 50 years in prison, with all but eight years suspended, after he pleaded guilty to two counts of sex abuse of a minor.

Friday, Montgomery County Circuit Court Judge David Boynton sentenced Bero on the two felony counts. Bero will be on supervised probation for an additional five years and will be listed on the sex offender register for the rest of his life.

The two victims, both eighth graders at the time, were in Bero’s care and custody as his role as a middle school teacher at Col. E. Brooke Lee Middle School in Silver Spring.

According to the court statement of charges, on July 28, 2020 the Montgomery County Police Special Victims began an investigation on events in 2014 and 2015 concerning two eighth graders...

https://www.mymcmedia.org/former-mcps-middle-school-teacher-sentenced-to-50-years-in-prison/?fbclid=IwAR1BPCw-vpraRxTLwAFh4MCMmd5-lYIX62OU9sgu24Iu_cbAE-70fQks6fg

EX-CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATE PLEADS GUILTY #EBrookeLeeMiddleSchool

Maxwell Bero, a Watkins Mill High School teacher who last year ran against Rep. David Trone for Congress, pleaded guilty this week to sexually abusing a 14-year-old student in 2014 and 2015...

https://marylandreporter.com/2021/04/12/state-roundup-as-90-day-session-comes-to-a-close-lawmakers-overturn-hogan-vetoes-on-police-reform-juvenile-justice/

School Teacher Arrested for Inappropriate Sexual Contact with Student; Possibility of Additional Victims a Concern

Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – Special Victims Investigations Division (SVID) have arrested and charged Maxwell Alexander Bero, age 30, of Gate Rail Road in Clarskburg, with offenses related to his inappropriate sexual contact with a fourteen-year-old female.  The offenses occurred from August 2014 to June 2015, when the female victim was an eighth-grade student and Bero was her teacher at the Col. E. Brooke Lee Middle School in Silver Spring.  The sexual interactions occurred after school hours on school property.

On July 28, 2020, SVID detectives began an investigation into allegations of sexual abuse of the (now 19-year-old) victim by Bero.  Detectives learned that during the 2014-2015 school year, Bero engaged in inappropriate sexual contact and exchanged inappropriate sexual materials and messages with the juvenile victim/student.

Earlier today, August 26, Bero was served with an arrest warrant charging him with offenses to include sexual abuse of a minor and multiple counts of committing a third-degree sexual offense. He was transported to the Central Processing Unit. Bond information is not available at this time.

Detectives are concerned there may be additional victims of Bero and are asking anyone who believes that he/she is a victim to call SVID detectives at 240-773-5400.

Bero’s current teaching assignment is at Watkins Mill High School in Gaithersburg.  Bero has been placed on administrative leave by the school system.  Inquiries regarding his employment should be directed to Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS).

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.

Former assistant principal convicted of DUI will work in MCPS central office

An administrator who left Damascus High School after a driving while impaired conviction has left her latest position at Col. E. Brooke Lee Middle School for a job at the district’s central office.

Maniya Jules was at Lee Middle School in Silver Spring for one month. In a letter to families last week, Lee Principal Kim Hayden-Williams announced that Jules would move to Montgomery County Public Schools’ Equity Initiative Unit.

When Jules pleaded guilty in July to driving while ability impaired for a second time, parents criticized the school system for letting her stay in her job. Shortly after, she was reassigned to Lee, where she was an assistant principal from July 1 to Aug. 5...

https://bethesdamagazine.com/bethesda-beat/schools/two-months-after-leaving-damascus-high-administrator-shifting-jobs-again/

@mcps Admin. Says: "The lack of compliance to county and state policy is so widespread that it was an unacceptable way to do business."

...In 1997, Montgomery County Public Schools hired Jules as a special education teacher. Over the years she rose the ranks to the administration level.

Arora explained that Jules' job at Damascus High School was negatively impacted by the October 31, JV football team locker room sexual assaults. The case rocked the tight knit community and quickly made national headlines due, in large part, to the sheer brutality and alleged negligence by school leaders.

"Ms. Jules’ department was being questioned pretty heavily and pretty routinely," Arora noted. "She was being asked to provide statements on a regular basis, answer to parents, things of that nature."

The workdays were long and the worknights consisted of drinking copious amounts of alcohol to cope with persistent police investigators and upset parents...

..."I never witnessed and experienced a more challenging and stressful work assignment. The lack of compliance to county and state policy is so widespread that it was an unacceptable way to do business...

...Despite the two, recent DWI convictions, Jules has managed to keep her administrative job with MCPS...

..."If on my probation you pick up another drunk driving offense and I hear about it, short of an extraordinary reason, I will give you all of the backup time. And that is to hopefully help deter you from picking up another drunk driving offense," the judge said during the December 2017 sentencing hearing.

Jules' second DWI arrest occurred 15 months later, within her 18-month probation window. It remains unclear why the judge in the first case did not keep to his word of imposing all of the "backup time" for failure to comply.

Lee Middle School Parents Voice Concern About New Assistant Principal

Some parents at Col. E. Brooke Lee Middle School in Silver Spring are questioning the hiring of a new administrator who started at the school Monday, the same day she was sentenced for driving under the influence of alcohol.

Maniya Jules, 51, of Potomac pled guilty on Monday and was sentenced to 60 days in jail with all but two days suspended by a Montgomery County Circuit Court judge, according to court records. Jules was placed on three years of probation with conditions that she abstain from alcohol and receive professional treatment, according to court records. Jules was also fined $250 and the judge ordered an interlock device be installed on her car that requires the driver to blow into a mouthpiece before starting the vehicle.

Jules, who was assistant principal at Damascus High School at the time of her arrest, was cited for driving under the influence of alcohol in 2017, according to court records.

In late June, Lee Middle School Principal Kimberly Hayden Williams sent a letter to community members announcing Jules was reassigned to the school and will serve as an assistant principal.

“She is bringing a wealth of knowledge and experiences to Lee Middle school and we are looking forward to welcoming her to our community,” the principal wrote...

https://bethesdamagazine.com/bethesda-beat/schools/lee-middle-school-parents-voice-concern-about-new-assistant-principal/

ABC7: Ex-Damascus asst. principal charged with 2 DUIs assigned to new job at middle school

ROCKVILLE, Md. (ABC7) — A former assistant principal at Damascus High School who was charged with drunk driving twice in less than two years will become an assistant principal at Col. E. Brooke Lee Middle School in Silver Spring...

https://wjla.com/news/local/damascus-dui-middle-school-mcps

Today: KID Museum spokesperson is Emma Starr, Museum wants $5.93 Million from County

Today at the Montgomery County Council the KID Museum in Bethesda will be asking for over $5 million from Montgomery County's budget.  The packet for today's meeting is shown below.  Former superintendent Joshua Starr's wife is the spokesperson for the museum.  Here is what she had to say about the request.    

...But the nonprofit has outgrown the space, KID Museum spokeswoman Emma Starr said. The museum is currently serving 55,000 people each year at the library, but would like to increase that total to 250,000, she said.
“Right now, we are excited about the proposed partnership,” Starr said, adding the county and Montgomery County Public Schools are supportive of the museum’s mission. “We like to say that we have a shared vision of what’s important in innovation, education and diversity. We share this vision of bringing impactful learning experiences to kids.”
http://www.bethesdamagazine.com/Bethesda-Beat/2018/County-City-of-Rockville-Mull-Plan-To-Buy-Office-Building-as-New-Home-for-KID-Museum/

Fortunately, Montgomery County is flush with cash and our public schools are not in need of any funding.  We can spend money on a museum (is it a museum?).  Too bad there aren't any free (actual) museums in D.C. for public school students to visit.  

2018 KidMuseum by Parents' Coalition of Montgomery County, Maryland on Scribd

Montgomery County Public School Security Employee Charged with Sex Offense

Detectives from the Montgomery County Police Department – Special Victims Investigations Division (SVID) have arrested Mike Anthony Lievano, age 21, of University Boulevard in Silver Spring, and have charged him with having inappropriate sexual contact with a 14-year-old Col. E. Brooke Lee Middle School female student while he worked as a security employee at the school.  Montgomery County Public School administrators placed Lievano on administrative leave as soon as they learned of these allegations.
On Thursday, May 4, SVID detectives were notified of the allegations.  Detectives interviewed the victim who told investigators that she and Lievano communicated via text messages and started dating on March 29, 2017.  During that time, Lievano engaged in inappropriate sexual contact with the victim at her home and at his home.
On May 5, Lievano was interviewed by detectives and made admissions relating to the allegations.  Detectives continued to investigate and a warrant was obtained for Lievano’s arrest, charging him with sexual abuse of a minor, a third-degree sex offense, and fourth-degree sex offense.  Lievano turned himself in to investigators late last night and was transported to the Central Processing Unit.  He is being held on a $10,000 bond.
Anyone who believes that his/her child may have been victimized by Lievano in a similar way should call the Special Victims Investigations Division at 240-773-5400.

Detectives Investigate Death at E. Brooke Lee Middle School

Published on February 9, 2015 

Detectives from Montgomery County Police-Major Crimes Division are investigating the death of a 7^th grade male student that occurred today at Colonel E. Brooke Lee Middle School.  The death is being investigated as a suicide.
At approximately 2:29 p.m., 4^th District officers and Fire Rescue Personnel were dispatched to E. Brooke Lee Middle School located at 11800 Monticello Avenue in Silver Spring.  A male student had been found unresponsive in a bathroom.  He was transported to the hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.
Investigators and Montgomery County Public Schools staff continue to coordinate their efforts.  Police will not be releasing the student’s identity at this time.
Anyone with information regarding this event is asked to contact Montgomery County Police-Major Crimes Division at 240-773-5070.

 http://www.mymcpnews.com/2015/02/09/detectives-investigate-death-at-school/