“Respectfully, it looks really elitist to have the Board of Ed move out, to have all of a lot of the leaders … of MCPS, move out of Carver and to leave everyone else there knowing that that building is unhealthy,” Morrison said.

...Many schools have also faced concerns about building conditions, including A. Mario Loiederman Middle in Silver Spring, which advocated for a new HVAC system in May. At the time, staff said the school dealt with inside temperatures reaching as low as 40 degrees and as high as 90 degrees, odd smells, mold throughout the building and moisture collecting on floors and desks...

https://bethesdamagazine.com/2025/09/12/mcps-deep-clean-of-carver-education-center-to-start-monday-after-complaints/

Some Montgomery County schools have mold as 'chewing gum and duct tape' hold together HVAC systems

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. — Some Montgomery County public schools have grown mold over the summer due to high humidity and suboptimal HVAC systems, MCPS Superintendent Thomas Taylor said at a board meeting Wednesday. 

The district is remediating schools across the county and in a handful of spots, Taylor said. Goshen Elementary School, New Hampshire Estates Elementary School and Loiederman Middle School are three schools that were mentioned by name...

https://www.wusa9.com/article/news/education/montgomery-county-schools-mold-hvac-systems/65-c091bd14-eaf0-4a44-8910-cfb6ba181b3f

‘Our Kids Can’t Learn In These Conditions’

   

...“During state testing this week, we were evacuated two times” in Tuesday’s heavy downpour, said 7th grade English teacher Kelly Rankin.

“We assumed there was something, like an actual fire,” she said. Later, the staff was told the alarm sounded due to the overheating of the system...

...Nolan, the SIEU union representative at Loiderman, said she recently was absent three days because of all the mold.

“Our kids can’t learn in these conditions,” declared Joshua Rubin, a world studies teacher, as staff, parents and students cheered and chanted, “Do Your Job” to school administrators.

“We have been through a number of smells. We have been through a number of odors,” said 7th grade English teacher Camilla Barillas, adding, “Frankly we deserve better.”

Sometimes it is 40 degrees in the classroom. Other times, it’s 90 degrees, said Rankin, who has had four different sinus infections. “We can’t wait any longer.”..

https://www.mymcmedia.org/our-kids-cant-learn-in-these-conditions/

ABC7: Former MCPS teacher says he abused 14-year-old girl because he was always drunk or high

ABC7: 

ROCKVILLE, Md. (ABC7) — A former Montgomery County teacher says he showed up to work drunk or high nearly every day --- and that was his defense for having sexual relations with one of his former middle school students.
Robert Wilson III stood stoic Tuesday morning as a judge sentenced him to 18 months in prison.
In April, Montgomery County Police arrested Wilson III for having a sexual relationship with a 14-year-old girl at Loiederman Middle School in Silver Spring.
Wilson III, who was a para-educator at Loiederman, met the girl in October 2014 through an after school math club that he supervised. The girl was 13-years-old at the time.
For the next six months, Wilson III would meet the girl (almost daily) in a school stairwell free of security cameras. There the two would kiss and inappropriately touch one another, court records state.
At sentencing, Wilson III's public defender blamed her client's actions on an alcohol and marijuana addiction, which according to court records, was so severe, Wilson III was at a nearly constant state of intoxication.
Prosecutors say because of the repeated abuse, the teenage victim now suffers from a loss of appetite, sleepless nights and a mood disorder.
Wilson III apologized in court, saying he'll have to explain his actions to his six-month-old daughter when she grows up.
Following sentencing, Wilson III's family left court quite upset, shouting that other Montgomery County teachers have been convicted of worse crimes, and add that those individuals got-off with lighter sentences.
Montgomery County Circuit Court judge Nelson Rupp however saw things differently saying, "No prison time would send the wrong message."
In addition to his 18 month prison sentence, Wilson III will have to register as a Maryland sex offender, undergo random drug testing, substance abuse treatment; mental health consultations and refrain from supervising minors, aside from his two young children.

Special Education Paraeducator - "some of the alleged conduct that led to his arrest may have occurred on school property."

...A former Montgomery County paraeducator is accused of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old female student.

Robert Otis Wilson III, 23, was arrested Thursday night, Montgomery County Police said.

Further details about the allegations have not been released, but Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) said in a statement in part, "We are very concerned and disturbed about the allegations against Mr. Wilson and that some of the alleged conduct that led to his arrest may have occurred on school property."

MCPS said Wilson is currently on administrative leave.

He had worked for MCPS since August 2013, when he started as a special education paraeducator. He later applied for a job at the Division of Food and Nutrition Services warehouse, and began that position March 30.

Wilson also worked as the assistant track coach at Wheaton High School for the past two years.

Members of both school communities are being notified about the arrest, MCPS said.

MCPS said the sex assault allegation came to the attention of a staff member at A. Mario Loiederman Middle School in Silver Spring earlier this month. The claim was then reported to Child Protective Services and the Montgomery County Police Department...

...Authorities interviewed Wilson on Tuesday. They say he admitted he had feelings toward the victim and that he knew it was wrong due to their age difference and his position as a paraeducator...

 http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/Montgomery-County-Middle-School-Teacher-Accused-of-Sexually-Assaulting-Student-301199561.html

Educator accused of sexually abusing minor student at Silver Spr - DC News FOX 5 DC WTTG

Educator accused of sexually abusing minor student at Silver Spr - DC News FOX 5 DC WTTG

 SILVER SPRING, Md. -
A Montgomery County educator, accused of sexually abusing a minor student, is in police custody.
Robert Otis Wilson III was arrested late Thursday night at his Silver Spring home. He is charged with 4 counts of sex abuse after investigators say he was involved in an inappropriate relationship with a 14-year-old female student at the school where he taught.
Wilson, who is described as a para-educator formerly at Loiederman Middle School in Silver Spring, is accused of meeting with the student and engaging in inappropriate touching and kissing beginning in October of 2014.
Wilson, who was assisting the girl with after-school work, allegedly met the student under a stairwell where no security cameras were present. Police say this occurred once a day for several months...

Gazette: Family of girl who reported being groped by teacher is suing MCPS

Gazette story on lawsuit first reported here on October 31st by the Parents' Coalition.

Suit alleges assault by teacher, negligence by officials

Exclusive: Family Sues BOE over Loiederman MS teacher incident

The Parents' Coalition has learned that a lawsuit has been filed in Montgomery County Circuit Court against the Montgomery County Board of Education concerning the incidents surrounding the arrest of Loiederman Middle School teacher Benjamin Cano. 

Cano was sentenced on January 21, 2014, on two misdemeanor sex offenses in the fourth degree and assault in the second degree.

The civil lawsuit filed in September in Montgomery County Circuit Court lists the following counts:

• assault and battery
• negligent hiring/negligent retention
• battery

Damages against the Board of Education are sought in excess of $75,000.

Starr Wants Cell Tower on Another Middle School Playground

The school is surrounded by homes on 3 sides.

The Parents' Coalition has learned that Superintendent Joshua Starr is now proposing a cell tower for the Roberto Clemente Middle School playground.  The proposal will be presented to parents at the November PTA meeting.

By our count, this is the 7th cell tower that Superintendent Starr has proposed for a MCPS playground since he became superintendent.

• Has Superintendent Starr ever made a public statement on why he is pushing for cell towers on MCPS playgrounds? No.

• Has Superintendent Starr ever made a public presentation to the Board of Education about his 7 cell tower construction projects? No. 

• Better question, has the Board of Education ever publicly ASKED about Superintendent Starr's 7 cell tower proposals? No.

If cell tower compounds on public school playgrounds are such a super cool awesome deal, then why all the secrecy?

 

Let's hear the Board of Education and Superintendent Starr discuss these plans in public at the next Board of Education meeting!  

Joshua Starr wants a cell tower at another Red Zone School #celltower #loiedermanmiddleschool

The arrows show where Superintendent Starr
wants to add cell towers to red zone school playgrounds.

Superintendent Joshua Starr does love cell tower compounds on public school playgrounds!

Here's another one he wants to build. This is at least the 6th cell tower he has tried to put on a school playground and the 4th one on a Red Zone school playground.

What has the Board of Education said about these projects?  Absolutely nothing.


The minutes from the November 2013 Loiderman Middle School PTA meeting show the PTA was fed some very bad information about cell towers on MCPS land, but whatever! (Loiderman MS would never "own" the cell tower.  The money isn't distributed 50-50! MCPS takes 30%! The base of cell towers comes with a warning to stay away! And  did anyone talk about where the Wheaton HS tower is now? Bet not.)

~~~~~

From the Loiederman Middle School November 2013 PTA meeting minutes:

The meeting began with a presentation by Drew Montgomery from AT&T Cell Phone Services on
the proposed cell phone tower at Loiederman Middle School. Mr. Montgomery stated that the tower
would serve the immediate neighborhood within one square mile of Loiederman, which has a current
service “hole.”. He began his program with a PowerPoint presentation of current cell phone towers
on select MCPS campuses – some were high school football fields that took advantage of the towers
to place lights for night-time play. The tower would be placed in a 50 x 50 foot compound with
board-on-board fencing and a gated gravel access road. The 100 foot-high monopole would have a 
12 x 12 foot equipment shelter, with space for up to two additional shelters for other cell phone 
carriers. The tower would be owned by Loiederman and AT&T (and potentially two other carriers)
would pay monthly rent. The money, paid into the MCPS would be distributed, with 50% going 
directly to Loiederman and 50% going to feeder schools (e.g. Weller Road and other area
elementary schools). Use of the money is unrestricted and therefore desirable to Loiederman. Mr.
Montgomery fielded questions from parents. When the issue of radiation was brought up, he stated
that radiation was higher by putting a cell phone to one’s ear than standing next to a tower. Other
concerns were the location of the gravel road. One parent proposed installing lights for the tennis
courts. The next step is for AT&T to hold a community meeting away from Loiederman, probably in
January. Ms. Sosik will continue to welcome feedback from the Loiederman community. The
anticipated installment will occur in 6-8 months.

MCPS background check lets "things slip through" the screening process

Gazette:  MCPS official: ‘No red flags’ when Bowman hired

...The school system officials addressed community concern that Bowman, 37, of the 4900 block of Veronica Court in Indian Head has faced other charges in the past.
Goodman said “there were no red flags” among the information the school system had when it hired Bowman, but that the school system might have acted differently if it had known more about him.
In Prince George’s County District Court, Bowman faced charges in 2010 related to second-degree assault and violating a protective order, according to online court records.
The records show he pleaded guilty to only one charge of violating a protective order and was fined $100.
In a school system with a large number of employees, Goodman said, sometimes things slip through the school system’s screening process that includes a background check, transcripts and letters of recommendation...

...One person who attended the meeting asked why the school system allowed Bowman back into the school after its investigation but police had arrested him after they looked into the incidents.
Hellmuth said that the arrest doesn’t signify criminal intent on Bowman’s part...

...He added there are some “nuances” between the statements the female employees gave to the school system and those they gave to police.
After one man raised concerns during the PTA meeting that Bowman returned to work with the female employees, Grundy said Bowman’s reported behavior involving inappropriate, non-sexual touching did not warrant moving him out of the school...

...Lori Sciannella, a substitute teacher who has worked at the school since October, said after the meeting she still had unanswered questions, including whether the employees involved had had an opportunity to go to police when they raised their concerns about Bowman that led to the school’s investigation.
“I would hope that they would tighten up their vetting process,” she said of the school system...

Trial Postponed Until January 8, 2014

Loiderman Middle School teacher Benjamin Cano's trial has been postponed until January 8, 2014.

10/30/2013 Docket Number: 11
Docket Description: MEMORANDUM, POSTPONEMENT
Docket Type: Docket Filed By: Court
Ruling Judge: MASON, MICHAEL D
Docket Text: MEMORANDUM OF COURT (MASON, J.) TO POSTPONE PLEA (TRIAL DATE) TO 01/08/2014 AT 9:00 A.M., FILED. (LP)

Exclusive: Loiederman MS Teacher Plea Agreement on Sex Offense and Assault Charges

On June 12, 2013, Loiederman Middle School science teacher Benjamin Cano was arrested.  The Gazette reported the story:

A science teacher at A. Mario Loiederman Middle School in Silver Spring was arrested Wednesday for several sex offenses that occurred at the school, police said.
Benjamin Robert Cano, 33, of the 200 block of Night Haven Court in Edgewater was arrested and charged with three counts of sexual abuse of a minor and three counts of committing a third-degree sex offense, according to Montgomery County Police.
Cano was released Thursday after posting $50,000 bail...[full story at this link]

On September 30, 2013, a plea agreement was filed in Montgomery County Circuit Court.  The Parents' Coalition has obtained the plea agreement filing which states:

"The agreement is that this will be a Not Guilty Agreed Statement of Facts.  The State will read a full proffer into the record after which it is expected the Court will find the Defendant guilty of one count of forth degree sexual offense and one court of second degree assault.  The State and defense would ask the Court to bind itself to no executed incarceration.  The Defendant agrees to complete a full sex offender evaluation prior to Sentencing.  If the evaluation indicates anything more then a low-risk for recidivism or diagnoses the Defendant as a pedophile the agreement is void.  Both sides are free to allocate as to the length of any suspended sentence and all terms of probation."

 

  2013 by Parents' Coalition of Montgomery County, Maryland

FREE After School Program at 5 Middle Schools: Are Kids with Special Needs Included?

FYI: Middle School Pilot

Serving Argyle, Clemente, Forest Oak, Loiederman, and Neelsville

Together with the Montgomery County Recreation Department and MCPS, the
Collaboration Council is delivering out of school time (OST) programming that
uses positive youth development practices to promote social, emotional,
intellectual, and physical development. We also ensure program quality through a
strong professional development component for our youth workers. Through this
collaborative effort, every child at five middle schools (Argyle, Loiederman,
Clemente, Forest Oak and Neelsville) now has the opportunity to participate in
OST activities, two and a half hours a day, two to four days a week, for three
10 week sessions which include a hot meal and transportation home—all for FREE
and accessible to ALL. See our brochure (English and Espanol) describing this
collaborative effort.

************************

Every Child means Every Child, right?
If you have a child at Argyle, Loiederman, Clemente, Forest Oak, or Neelsville
who has special needs, including significant special needs, PLEASE let us know
if your child is being included in this opportunity.

We Should be Dancin', Yeah: Stayin' Alive in the Red Zone!

by Frederick Stichnoth

Leah Fabel reports today that the Middle School Magnet Consortia schools didn't do well on Maryland State Assessments (MSA). "Middle School magnets show imperfect reform in MontCo," The Washington Examiner, July 29, 2010, page 9.

Loiederman Middle School and Argyle Middle School were "bumped into a probationary category under federal No Child Left Behind legislation. Parkland Middle School's scores were adequate, but below the school district's averages."

Loiederman: what's happening? Failed in math for All students, African-American, Hispanic, Free and Reduced Meals Students (FARMS), Special Education, Limited English Proficiency (LEP); in reading for FARMS, Special Education, LEP. Argyle: failed in math for LEP. Loiederman and Parkland (Community Superintendent Frank Stetson, Board of Education member Christopher Barclay) and Argyle (Community Superintendent Bronda Mills, Board of Education member Christopher Barclay) are part of the Down County Consortium (DCC).

These are magnets (whole school magnets, right?). They have zingy programs in digital design, creative and performing arts, aerospace technology. The idea was to bring in students from the outside, to end the demographic isolation. Isn't it time for Plan B (or is it C?) on isolation? The County Council's 2008  Office of Legislative Oversight Report said that the Northeast Consortium (NEC) and Down County Consortium (DCC) had failed in their stated goals of ending racial isolation and improving performance.

The curricula from these schools, including their cool signatures, are being imported into all middle schools through Middle School Reform. Are cool courses key to Middle School Reform and red zone success?

But, "Magnet school parents insist that test scores are only one measure of a school's success--and an imperfect one." Ok, only one measure--but a pretty basic one. We're talking here about "proficiency," not the Intel Science Award. No proficiency: don't even think about the Seven Keys or remediation free college or career readiness. Test scores are how we keep track. Test scores are how we know if a segment of our students is being grotesquely, inequitably under served.

An imperfect measure? Examiner writer Leah Fabel offers Board of Education Vice-President Chris Barclay's terpsichorean twist on this trouble. Chris not only represents the DCC where this mess is festering, his daughter attends Loiederman. Chris says that "dance and theater allowed her to stay engaged in middle school when it's also a struggle socially." That's the MCPS rationale for cool courses: engagement is good; dropping out isn't.

I don't really want to suggest that Board member Chris Barclay is fiddling while Rome burns. I'm sure that, with the fire raging in the DCC and NEC, Chris and Board of Education member Mike Durso are turning the system upside down to produce equal educational opportunities--not just cute programming.

But, are they dancing between the desks at Pyle Middle School?

Thinking about Pyle and Board of Education member Mike Durso reminds me: a couple of months ago I attended a DCC Board of Education meet and greet, and asked Board members Mike Durso, Shirley Brandman, Judy Docca and Phil Kauffman whether MCPS had the same high expectations of red and green zone students. Mike, Shirley and Judy all assured me that this was so. (What wisdom did Phil's silence indicate?) Mike gave an example: a Latino immigrant had done well; we might not have expected her to do any more than show up, but she beat the odds.

Chris Barclay's daughter stays engaged. Mike Durso's Latina shows up. Kids are scoring basic!!! Is this the same high expectations?

What the heck are they doing about it?

Isn't Leah Fabel great! From triumph to triumph.

Middle school magnets show imperfect reform in MontCo | Washington Examiner

Middle school magnets show imperfect reform in MontCo | Washington Examiner

Montgomery County's vaunted magnet middle schools have failed to produce consistent gains on state test scores hoped for in the lowest-performing areas of the district...

...the 2010 results of the Maryland State Assessments, or MSAs, were poor enough to bump Loiederman and Argyle into a probationary warning category under the federal No Child Left Behind legislation. Parkland's scores proved adequate, but still fell below the school district's averages.

Read more at the Washington Examiner: http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/local/Middle-school-magnets-show-imperfect-reform-in-MontCo-1004475-99496624.html#ixzz0v2BSKHZA

MCPS Middle School Kids Apply for Grant to Fund Teachers

Here's the press release from the Loiederman Student Advocates:

With one click of your mouse, http://www.refresheverything.com/msmc YOU can help keep three magnet middle schools fully funded!

An 8th grade student at Loiederman Middle School has applied for a $250,000 Pepsi Refresh Project Grant and has been selected as a finalist. This grant is for teacher salaries for school year 2011-2012 for ALL three schools. The $250,000 grant receiving the most votes between NOW and March 31, 2010 will WIN the $250,000 grant!!!

Loiederman is part of a three magnet school consortium located in a portion of the Montgomery County Maryland Public School district with a high minority population and percentage of students receiving free and reduced meals.

Argyle, focuses on digital design and development; Loiederman, offers a creative and performing arts focus; and Parkland, provides students the opportunity to explore math and science through aerospace technology and robotic engineering. These three non-admission test required, whole school focused format, magnet public schools are jointly called the Middle School Magnet Consortium (MSMC).

You can vote for her grant once a day ~ every day! http://www.refresheverything.com/msmc

Last week this same eighth grader met with legislators in Annapolis and is also scheduled to meet with Congressman Van Hollen's people on Capitol Hill the 2nd week of March to try and obtain more funds and a longer term funding solution.

Please help keep these important public schools fully funded. Spread the word on every list serve, Face Book, Twitter... and vote EVERY DAY for the MSMC Grant!!!

http://www.refresheverything.com/msmc

Your votes can make a difference! You can learn more about Loiederman Student Advocacy here:

http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/loiedermanms/current/advocacy/advocacy.shtm

Loiederman, Sligo & Maryvale Petition for programs

A. Mario Loiederman Middle School Petition:

We, the students of A. Mario Loiederman School for the Creative and Performing Arts, and our parents, support our school. Our program is unique and unmatched anywhere else in the County, and continues to produce creative and innovative students. We ask your support for Loiederman, and the Middle School Magnet Consortium of Loiederman, Parkland and Argyle.

Full petition at link:
Loiederman Petition - The Petition Site

Sligo Elementary and Maryvale Elementary Schools' Petition:

We, the undersigned, call on the Montgomery County Council to fully fund Superintendent Weast's Recommended FY2011 Operating Budget for Montgomery County Public Schools so as to preserve funding for French immersion programs at Maryvale and Sligo Creek Elementary Schools as well as immersion programs at other county schools, and articulation into middle school immersion and high school language programs. Specifically, we request that:
1) Busing for magnet programs continue. If buses are cut, the programs will not be open to all students in the county, only those with parents who can arrange transportation.
2) Funding for on-site program coordinators be maintained at current levels. Language immersion program coordinators do more than their job title reflects. Among other things they currently provide stop-gap support to students in need and enable teachers to teach effectively in an environment of limited instructional materials and language resources.
Thank you for maintaining the language immersion programs provided by Montgomery County Public Schools by fully funding the FY2011 MCPS Operating Budget request

Full petition at link:
Support immersion programs in Montgomery County - The Petition Site