Who hired Marcus G. Jones to be MCPS Chief of Security and Compliance for MCPS?

Answer:  April L. Key.  

When former Montgomery County Police Chief Marcus G. Jones was announced as the MCPS Chief of Security and Compliance on June 25, 2024, it was a surprise as Chief Jones had just retired from the Montgomery County Police Department.  

Police Chief Marcus G. Jones was announced as the MCPS Chief of Security and Compliance at the June 25, 2024, Board of Education meeting right after the appointment of Thomas W. Taylor as the new MCPS Superintendent.  The announcement was made by Acting Interim Superintendent Dr. Henry Johnson.  Interim Superintendent Monique Felder was not present at the June 25, 2024, Board of Education meeting.  

After Acting Interim Superintendent Dr. Henry Johnson announced the recommended appointment of Marcus G. Jones as MCPS Chief of Security and Compliance, a Board member announced "move approval" and the student member seconded the motion.  The Board President then announced "all in favor raise your hand" and a vote was taken.  The Board President then said, "that's unanimous, congratulations."  The MCPS Press Release on the position repeated the Board vote.

But the exchange by the Board of Education was just a cover for whoever actually hired Mr. Jones. Mr. Jones had already been hired for this new position by April L. Key on June 20, 2024, almost a week before the Board meeting.  

It turns out the rumor posted on a local blog was true.  

The Parents' Coalition has obtained Mr. Jones' offer letter from MCPS via a Maryland Public Information Act request.  The letter offers Mr. Jones the position without any contingency on Board of Education approval.  The letter ends with "Welcome to the MCPS family!" 

The Board of Education did not have any approval authority over the hiring of Mr. Jones per Board of Education Policy GEA, "Leadership positions subject to Board approval shall be those positions classified “O” and higher on the MCPS salary schedule."  Mr. Jones position was classified NS. 

MCPS was in a period of transition in the spring and summer of 2024.  Which of the acting/interim/superintendents had authorized April Key to hire Marcus Jones, or is that a decision she made on her own? 

You might remember the name of April Key, MCPS Chief of Human Resources and Development, from the Beidleman matter or from the Damascus High School sex assault cases. 

MCPS made him reverse Beidleman sex harassment finding—and then retaliated, he alleges

Walker alleged that the administrators who have retaliated against him include two of the most senior leaders in MCPS: Chief of Human Resources and Development April Key and Chief Operations Officer Brian Hull, who was acting superintendent for a short period last fall and who ranks just below Superintendent Monifa McKnight, according to an MCPS organizational chart.

https://bethesdamagazine.com/2024/01/12/mcps-made-him-reverse-beidleman-sex-harassment-finding-and-then-retaliated-he-alleges/

 

 Criticism over MCPS allowing 2 former principals to serve in corrective action workgroup.

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. (7News) — At a February 8 Montgomery County Council meeting about the Inspector General report on MCPS' complaint processing, a councilmember referred to the 2018 Damascus High School sexual assault case.

Laurie-Anne Sayles asked MCPS Chief of Human Resources April Key a pointed question about the school's former principal and former head football coach.

"Is the coach and principal still employed by MCPS?" she queried.

"Yes, they are," answered Key regarding former Damascus High Principal Casey Crouse and former coach Eric Wallich

https://wjla.com/news/local/montgomery-county-public-schools-mcps-faces-criticism-for-employing-former-principals-involved-in-2018-assault-cases-damascus-gaithersburg-high-school-councilmember

Montgomery County Public Schools boosts discipline policy amid rise of violent incidents

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. (7News) — Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) is enacting sweeping changes to its student discipline policy in response to a recent uptick in violent incidents, including bomb threats, weapons on campus, and assaults on staff. S

Starting this fall, students who commit the most serious offenses could face long-term suspension or even expulsion. The updated Code of Conduct reclassifies threats and violent actions as Level 4 or 5 violations — the highest disciplinary categories under the district’s new guidelines.

Offenses such as making bomb threats, physically assaulting school personnel, or bringing weapons onto school property will now carry the most severe consequences.

The move comes after several alarming events during the current school year.

At Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School, two lockdowns in one week in February forced administrators and first responders into emergency mode — one incident involved shots fired near campus, and another centered around a student bringing an airsoft gun to school. These kinds of threats used to be considered minor, but that’s no longer the case.

Data supports the shift. Last year, MCPS recorded 221 weapon-related incidents — an 11% increase over the previous year. Bomb threats also saw a similar rise...

https://wjla.com/news/local/montgomery-county-public-schools-mcps-bomb-threats-weapons-on-campus-and-assaults-on-staff-bethesda-chevy-chase-high-school-lockdown-counseling-services-behavior-intervention-programs-weapons-related-incidents-alternative-learning-options

MCPS parents continue to push for more safety measures after gun incidents

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. - Montgomery County Public Schools held a meeting Tuesday night to address concerns about students and gun safety. It comes after two separate gun-related incidents that put Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School on lockdown last month.

While the recent lockdowns happened at Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School the impact was felt in the surrounding community leaving parents wanting to know how to prevent another emergency.

This was the fourth safety meeting in two and a half years and that has parents concerned and angry. 

A wide array of topics were discussed, from who is responsible for calling a lockdown to where to go for official information. 

"That happened at 10 a.m. Why are kids allowed out of the campus at any time of day?" one attendee asked. "Why can’t they stay on campus during school hours?"..

MCPS parents continue to push for more safety measures after gun incidents | FOX 5 DC

Kennedy High community looks to MCPS to improve safety in Silver Spring school

When junior Alex Acuna walks into John F. Kennedy High School in Silver Spring to start his school day, he feels safe. But in the back of his mind, he says he’s also thinking that walking into the school means it could be his “last day alive.”  

“I’ve seen people who look like grown adults [come into the school] and they were trying to jump my friends,” Acuna said.  

After continued concerns for safety and a back-to-back lockdown and shelter-in-place in January, a group of about 25 Kennedy students, staff and families gathered at the school Wednesday night for a session hosted by the PTSA to discuss how to improve safety in the school moving forward. Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) leaders, including Marcus Jones, the former county police chief who now heads the MCPS Department of Security and Compliance, also attended...

Kennedy High community looks to MCPS to improve safety in Silver Spring school - Bethesda Magazine

Reports of gun, medical emergency led to lockdown, shelter-in-place at Kennedy High

A lockdown after reports of a student with a gun and a shelter-in-place due to a medical emergency Thursday at John F. Kennedy High School are highlighting ongoing safety issues in the Silver Spring school, according to PTA President Ricky Ribeiro.  

Principal Vickie Adamson sent a community letter sent to the Kennedy High community Thursday, saying students notified security staff at the end of fifth period that “a student may be in the possession of a gun.” According to the school’s bell schedule, fifth period ends at 12:48 p.m. School staff called 911, and the school went into a lockdown at 1:01 p.m., according to the letter.  

According to police radio transmissions, Adamson called 911 at 12:56 p.m. after several students reported that they saw a student with a gun in his waistband...

...“These incidents are the culmination of what I have been complaining and advocating about for years,” Ribeiro said. “[There] has been a security problem at the school.”.. 

Reports of gun, medical emergency led to lockdown, shelter-in-place at Kennedy High   - Bethesda Magazine

WTOP: Violence, mold, asbestos: Staffers at Montgomery Co. alternative school voice safety concerns

Teachers and staff at a building that houses two Montgomery County, Maryland, schools — which cater to students with additional needs — claim the school system is not doing enough to ensure students and staff have both a healthy and safe place to learn.

One half of the Blair G. Ewing Center on Avery Road in Rockville has been home to one alternative learning school known by staff as “Avery Road.” The school is one of three that serves students who have behavioral issues or other learning difficulties that require they be removed from their prior public school.

At the beginning of this school year, a second school, known as “Cloverleaf” in Germantown, relocated to the vacant side of the Blair Ewing facility. Two staff members who spoke with WTOP said they arrived to find mold and even warnings about asbestos.

“When we first came in, we had visible mold on ceiling tiles and walls and floors. We had leaks in some of the bathrooms that dripped and flowed down the wall when it rains,” said one teacher WTOP will refer to as “Teacher A.”..

Violence, mold, asbestos: Staffers at Montgomery Co. alternative school voice safety concerns - WTOP News

Councilmember Dawn Luedtke to host 'Let's Talk School Safety' Dec. 9th, 7-8:30pm, Sequoyeh ES

 On Monday, December 9 from 7 p.m.-8:30 p.m., Councilmember Luedtke (D-District 7) is hosting a community meeting on school safety in the cafeteria at Sequoyah Elementary School (17301 Bowie Mill Road, Derwood, MD 20855). Representatives from MPCS and the Montgomery County Police Department will be there.

Join to tell them your concerns, hear from Montgomery County Public Schools Chief of Security and Compliance Marcus Jones and others, and discuss this critical need.

Learn more and pre-submit questions here. 

MCPS leaders discuss increased school security, possible metal detectors

...Former county police chief Marcus Jones, who is now MCPS’ Security and Compliance Chief, said on Wednesday they are in the "early stages" of researching metal detectors. Jones revealed they’re talking with school districts that already have the security tool to see what their experiences have been like. Officials warned that this is something that will have to be budgeted for. They’ll also have to review how to build the use of metal detectors into the school day, especially at the county’s larger high schools. Another major part of the safety conversation includes security staff and clamping down on drug use on MCPS campuses... 

https://www.fox5dc.com/news/mcps-leaders-talk-increased-school-security-possible-metal-detectors?utm_campaign=trueanthem&utm_medium=trueanthem&utm_source=facebook&fbclid=IwY2xjawFJdvVleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHflhSb4xrZaPPuuAfDl-l9J_LYwLMYD1l4vhDt_cOTcI7LeXTQCUZmNlkg_aem_UqQHZzlqPhZmBED2FTt9JQ

Montgomery Co. school safety includes taking ‘a hard look’ at weapons detectors, officials say

...Jones, who retired after nearly four decades with the Montgomery County Police Department, said that he’s in the process of talking to other school districts about their experiences with weapons detections systems.

“I think it’s something we need to take a hard look at,” said Jones.

He said the school system is in the “early stages” of examining how weapons detection systems could be used in the schools, but added, “I think it’s something we may be venturing into in the very near future.”

There are several issues that have to be addressed, such as budgeting and whether the systems would be workable at some of Montgomery County’s largest schools — including Montgomery Blair High School in Silver Spring, which has an enrollment of 3,298 students...

https://wtop.com/montgomery-county/2024/09/mcps-school-safety-includes-hard-look-at-weapons-detection-more-collaboration-between-police-and-school-security/

MCPS Considering Weapon Detectors

...As part of security measures currently in place, Jones said that some high schools are requiring students to wear their student IDs all day. He observed the initiative at a couple of schools and says most students were wearing them...

https://www.mymcmedia.org/mcps-considering-weapon-detectors/

Rules remain in place for Montgomery Co. schools’ Friday night lights

Montgomery County high schools in Maryland begin their football season in two weeks and, once again, safety and security remain atop everyone’s playbook.

Many can’t forget an ugly incident that took place in September 2022 when a fight broke out on the field between Gaithersburg and Northwest high school involving players and coaches that eventually led to both programs being temporarily suspended.

Last September, after a game between two rivals featuring Walter Johnson and Bethesda-Chevy Chase high schools, a fight broke out near the Bethesda Metro station with students from both schools in which several altercations took place.

For this season, Montgomery County Public Schools has implemented some different rules for family, friends, and students, who plan to attend upcoming sports events at county high schools...

https://wtop.com/montgomery-county/2024/08/montgomery-co-schools-implement-new-set-of-rules-for-friday-night-lights/

Former county police chief to earn almost $250K as head of MCPS security

 

Marcus Jones’ pay is higher than his replacement’s salary

Marcus Jones will earn almost $250,000 a year as the chief of security and compliance for Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS), making less than he did as the chief of the county police department but more than his replacement will earn.  

Jones was appointed MCPS security chief by the county school board June 25 directly after retiring as the chief of the Montgomery County police department. Jones served as chief from 2019 to 2024 and worked for the department for almost 40 years. 

MCPS public information officer Liliana Lopez said Jones will earn $249,322 annually plus benefits—the same pay as other department chiefs, such as the MCPS chief of strategic initiatives and the chief academic officer. Last year, chief-level positions were paid $242,060. Lopez said benefits provided to Jones can’t be released because it is considered personnel information...

Former county police chief to earn almost $250K as head of MCPS security  | MoCo360

Groups Speak Out Against Chief Jones’ New Job with County Public Schools

Although retiring Police Chief Marcus Jones hasn’t started his new role as Chief of Security and Compliance for Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS), several groups are speaking out against his appointment.

Young People for Progress, Silver Spring Justice Coalition and Jews United for Justice joined the Decriminalize Montgomery County Campaign to oppose Jones’ recent appointment by the Board of Education.

According to these groups, Jones’ background with the Montgomery County Police Department and his 38 years in law enforcement “makes him unsuitable for working with students.”

Previously, the Decriminalize Montgomery County Campaign fought to end the School Resource Officer program. Under that program, sworn police officers were assigned inside schools...

https://www.mymcmedia.org/groups-speak-out-against-chief-jones-new-job-with-county-public-schools/

Retiring police chief Marcus Jones appointed as MCPS security chief

...The board voted on Jones’ appointment about two hours after he received accolades from the council and other county leaders during the council meeting, including an official county proclamation commending his service.

Jones, 59, announced his retirement in January after serving in the police department for 38 years. He spoke to MoCo360 about his tenure in an interview in February...

https://moco360.media/2024/06/25/retiring-police-chief-marcus-jones-appointed-as-mcps-security-director/

Correction: Superintendent Taylor and Security Chief Jones were NOT Unanimously Appointed to @mcps. @mocoboe member Grace Rivera-Oven was ABSENT.

The Montgomery County Board of Education has multiple options for remote participation by Board of Education members.  The Board of Education also controls their calendar.

Yet, on June 25, 2024, two major appointments (Superintendent and Chief of Security) were made without the full Board of Education participating.  There are 8 Board of Education members. Only 7 voted on these appointments. 

Board of Education member Grace Rivera-Oven has been known to dissent from other MCPS appointments and she was notably absent from the June 25th Board of Education meeting. Even her name plate was removed for the meeting. 

Her seat was filled in by another Board member and no mention was made of her absence at the start of the meeting.  She didn't call in, or video conference in, or express regrets for missing the meeting. 

The appointment of the new Superintendent and the new Chief of Security were both made with only 7 Board of Education members instead of the full 8.  Unanimous of those present, but not unanimous of the full Board of Education.

All superintendents going back to at least 1991 (Vance, Weast, Starr, McKnight & Felder) have been appointed by the full Board of Education without any Board members absent.  

https://mcpsmd.new.swagit.com/videos/308793

...The county school board voted unanimously Tuesday to appoint Thomas Taylor to a four-year term as the new head of Montgomery County Public Schools after a four-month search that followed the resignation of the former superintendent...

https://moco360.media/2024/06/25/school-board-appoints-taylor-as-new-mcps-superintendent/

Montgomery schools taps retiring county police chief for top security post

Montgomery County’s board of education on Tuesday unanimously appointed Marcus Jones — the county’s retiring police chief — as the new chief of security and compliance for Maryland’s largest school system...

https://wapo.st/4brQJIY