New report says Montgomery County Public Schools wasted millions on electric buses

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. (7News) — In 2022 Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) was touting itself as one of the leading school districts in America regarding electric buses.

It signed a contract a year earlier with Highland Electric Fleets to deliver more than 300 electric buses to replace its diesel-powered buses.

Our investigation two years ago uncovered that not all buses arrived on their original delivery dates. Four months in only 7 out of the promised 25 buses were transporting your children.

Now a scathing report from the Montgomery County Office of the Inspector General reveals the $160 million contract with Highland for 326 electric school buses turned into a massive delay of buses for years...

The Parents Coalition of Montgomery County, a taxpayer's watchdog group, is outraged.

"What do you think is alarming for parents to see out of that report?" asked 7News Investigative Reporter Scott Taylor.

"Tremendous amount of waste of dedicated education funding. These are our precious education dollars," said Janis Sartucci with the Parents Coalition of Montgomery County...

https://wjla.com/features/i-team/montgomery-county-public-schools-mcps-electric-buses-montgomery-county-inspector-general-report-highland-electric-fleets-contract-deisel-powered-buses-mechanical-issues-charging-issues-maryland-schools-school-bus-transportation#

Once Again, MoCo Inspector General Confirms a @pcmc1 Investigation. Today it's the @mcps Electric School Bus Scheme

Today, the Montgomery County Inspector General released a Memorandum of Investigation that confirmed many of the concerns that the Parents' Coalition has raised about the Montgomery County Board of Education's electric bus scheme. 

But let's look at just one of the false claims that the Board of Education has made about their electric school bus scheme.

Right on the MCPS website it says:

"The school district is on track to have 326 electric school buses by 2025"

But the Board of Education is NOT on track to have 326 electric school buses by 2025.

From the IG's Memorandum of Investigation (Page 2):

"The contractor did not deliver any of the buses expected in FY2022 through FY2024 by August 1st as required by the agreement's delivery schedule."

and on page 3

"the contractor has notified MCPS that they will not be able to meet the delivery goal for the 2024-2025 school year."

 Read the full text of the Inspector General's Memorandum of Investigation below. 

MOI-FY25 MCPS Electric Bus ... by Parents' Coalition of Montg...

MCPS system did not adhere to its policies on emergency procurement, report finds

..."It's more of the same. We've been watching Montgomery County for over 20 years do this same kind of emergency, hide the ball procurement and once again they're doing the same thing they've done in the past," said Janis Sartucci of the Parents' Coalition of Montgomery County.

The Montgomery County Education Association is also upset about the findings writing, stating, "MCPS misspent valuable tax dollars...it shifted time and attention away from what should have been its top priority: our students."

7News also received a text message from a parent who has a student who attends the Montgomery Virtual Academy.

That program was eliminated due to recent budget cuts...

https://wjla.com/news/crisis-in-the-classroom/montgomery-county-public-schools-memorandum-investigation-interim-superintendent-emergency-procurement-policies-parents-student-reaction-mcps#

Montgomery County inspector general saw surge in complaints about school system

In the past 12 months alone, the county watchdog received nearly nine times as many complaints about the school system than it did in the previous year.

Montgomery County’s inspector general fielded a surge in complaints in the past year about Maryland’s largest school system as the district has faced increased scrutiny of its handling of reports about conduct.

The county inspector general received 185 complaints from July 1, 2023, to June 30 of this year about the school system, compared with 22 from the year before, according to data provided by the office this week. The office did not provide more context about the nature of the complaints, though it has released reports this year concerning the school system’s use of funds, allegations of misconduct and a department’s handling of employees’ complaints...

https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2024/07/04/montgomery-county-schools-complaints-inspector-general/

Report: Montgomery County Schools misused funds to respond to Beidleman sexual harassment case

The report says the school district spent more than $200,000 in emergency funds to hire a crisis response team.

https://www.wusa9.com/article/news/education/mcps-joel-beidleman-investigation-misused-funds/65-04edfdd3-a659-4406-998c-e42fcf48da6e

MCPS’ Policies on Handling Complaints ‘In Progress’; 10 Administrators Terminated

Members of Montgomery County council met with the county Inspector General Megan Limarzi and three members of the Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) staff to learn about progress the school district has made in dealing with personnel complaints.

The Office of Inspector General (OIG) had issued several reports faulting how MCPS follows up on staff complaints and for allowing former Principal Joel Beidleman to be promoted despite multiple harassment complaints against him.

Since receiving the report, 10 administrators have been terminated and five others have had job reassignments. 16 cases were determined to be unsubstantiated, officials said during Thursday’s combined hearing with council’s Audit and Education and Culture committees...

https://www.mymcmedia.org/mcps-policies-on-handling-complaints-in-progress-10-administrators-terminated/

 

Board of Education Removes $30M Agenda Item after Parents' Coalition Complaint Filed with Inspector General

Yesterday, a complaint was filed with the Montgomery County Inspector General with regard to Board of Education Agenda Item 6.2, a resolution for a $30 million purchase that included a reference to using student activity funds to pay for the purchase. 

Today at the Board of Education meeting the first order of business was to have that agenda item removed from today's agenda.  

Predictable: The Cover-Up Continues with a Former @mcps Assoc. Sup. Running Council Hearing on MCPS.

On Thursday, February 8, 2024, the Montgomery County Council will hold a hearing "To review findings and recommendations of Office of Inspector General Report #OIG-24-08 and discuss next steps."

That's the title of the hearing as stated in the Staff Memorandum.    

But Council staff neglect to mention that one of its own staffers is a former very, very highly placed MCPS Associate Superintendent whose positions included supervising the MCPS human resources department from 2016-2021. Now that former MCPS Associate Superintendent is advising the Council how to run an oversight hearing on MCPS internal practices?  

Why disclose an obvious conflict of interest?  Who cares about ethics?  

The Council President has already announced his decision to not put any witnesses under oath.  Why get into the messy issue of his staff person who should probably be at the witness table instead of on the Council dais?  

Exactly what did Council staffer Essie McGuire know about complaints regarding Joel Beidleman and when did she know that information?  That question will not be asked by Councilmembers. Ever. 

The former MCPS Associate Superintendent who now works for the Council has once again done an excellent job of supplying the Council with a packet of garbage for tomorrow's hearing.  46 pages of MCPS policies and procedures all easily accessible on the MCPS website via a simple link.  46 pages of policies and procedures copied into the packet for the meeting to make it "look" like Councilmembers are being given something of substance. 

The former MCPS Associate Superintendent who now works for the Council neglects to mention anything about the powers the Council has to put witnesses under oath or to issue subpoenas.  

Once again, a nice thick packet with zero substance.  

9/26/2023 SURPRISE! County Council is "briefed" on MCPS Beidleman Matter by their staff, who is (surprise) former MCPS Assoc. Superintendent & who oversaw MCPS Human Resources

Report: Montgomery County Public Schools lacks protocol around complaints

https://www.dcnewsnow.com/news/local-news/maryland/montgomery-county/report-montgomery-county-public-schools-lacks-protocol-around-complaints/

Now: Next Montgomery County Inspector General Report on MCPS Released. Repeat Issues Noted.

OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL Megan Davey Limarzi, Esq. Inspector General NEWS RELEASE ______________________________________________________________________________ For Immediate Release January 24, 2024 OIG Finds Deficiencies in MCPS Complaint Handling Processes Rockville, Maryland – Montgomery County Maryland Inspector General Megan Davey Limarzi announced today the release of a new Office of the Inspector General (OIG) report, MCPS Complaint Processing, detailing the results of an OIG review of the Montgomery County Public Schools’ (MCPS) complaint handling and investigation processes as they relate to allegations of misconduct by employees. This review is the second of two MCPS related engagements announced by the Inspector General on September 20, 2023. Through this review the OIG sought to determine whether MCPS has effective procedures for the receipt, assignment, investigation, referral, resolution, documentation, and retention of allegations of misconduct by its employees. The OIG also evaluated whether DCI, as MCPS’s primary department for investigating allegations of employee misconduct, follows reasonable steps in conducting its investigations. The review found numerous issues and resulted in 5 findings and 5 recommendations aimed at strengthening MCPS’ handling of employee misconduct related complaints and investigations. Of particular note, many of the same deficiencies were previously identified by other entities and reported to MCPS, but they failed to implement appropriate corrective actions. The report can be found at the following location, https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/OIG/Resources/Files/PDF/IGActivity/FY2024/OIG_24-08.pdf

Please direct all inquiries to: Email: ig@montgomerycountymd.gov Phone: 240-777-8240

Senior staff and administrators with Montgomery County Public Schools listed in a complaint have been cleared of alleged misconduct, according to report from the county Inspector General’s office.

2 MCPS administrators cleared following allegations of misconduct

https://www.fox5dc.com/video/1393732

 

Montgomery watchdog recommends school system revise policies. Seven Employees involved. Beidleman still on leave.

After an investigation, the county inspector general suggested the school system require employees in leadership positions to disclose previous relationships with subordinates

...Among the allegations were that two Montgomery County Public Schools administrators made “inappropriate jokes and statements of a sexual nature directed toward a subordinate,” and that a supervisor was aware.

Megan Davey Limarzi, the county inspector general, wrote in a memorandum released Wednesday that her office did not find any evidence of violations of school policy, in part because there was little information to substantiate the complaint’s details.

The person who filed the complaint ignored multiple requests to talk to investigators, according to the memo...

The complaint included allegations involving seven employees from Maryland’s largest public school system, Montgomery County Public Schools, the inspector general’s office said in an email. None were identified...

...Beidleman has denied the allegations. He was initially placed on leave in August, which remains his status, Cram confirmed Wednesday...

https://wapo.st/48QaokC

Montgomery County Inspector General: MEMORANDUM OF INVESTIGATION - Alleged Misconduct

 https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/OIG/Resources/Files/PDF/IGActivity/FY2024/OIG-MOI-MCPS-SeniorOfficials.pdf

McKnight reveals complainant: "The complainant himself ignored repeated requests from the OIG to connect for information and an interview."

 Statement from Montgomery County Public Schools Concerning an Office of Inspector General Published Memorandum

January 10, 2024

The school district is providing the following statement in response to the memorandum published today, Jan. 10, by the Montgomery County Office of the Inspector General (OIG).

The memorandum can be found on the OIG website. 

------------

The Chief of MCPS’ Office of Human Resources and Development received accusations of alleged violations of policy by MCPS senior staff and administrators. For this reason, Superintendent Dr. Monifa B. McKnight directed her Chief of Staff to immediately inform the Montgomery County Office of the Inspector General (OIG) and asked her office to investigate. The OIG did not find any violations of MCPS policy or regulations by those identified in the complaint. The complainant himself ignored repeated requests from the OIG to connect for information and an interview. We appreciate the very quick and thorough work of Inspector General Megan Davey Limarzi and her team for looking into this matter and, as the report on the MCPS investigations process is finalized and released, we will continue to give full consideration to additional forthcoming recommendations, as our goal is always to ensure a safe teaching and learning environment for students and staff.

https://ww2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/press/index.aspx?pagetype=showrelease&id=13365&type=&startYear=&pageNumber=&mode=

Report: MCPS Should Strengthen Romantic Relationship Disclosure Requirements

A report by the Montgomery County Inspector General’s office declared allegations of misconduct by senior Montgomery County Public School officials “unsubstantiated.”

However, the report that was released Wednesday did note that there were “opportunities for improvement regarding the disclosure of romantic or sexual relationships between staff, as well as requirements that MCPS staff cooperate with investigations.”..

https://www.mymcmedia.org/report-mcps-should-strengthen-romantic-relationship-disclosure-requirements/

Breaking: SURPRISE! County Council is "briefed" on MCPS Beidleman Matter by their staff, who is (surprise) former MCPS Assoc. Superintendent & who oversaw MCPS Human Resources

It's a small world and the County Council can't find anyone to brief them on MCPS education issues except a former MCPS Associate Superintendent who now works for the County Council's Education Committee.  The County Council staffer is Essie McGuire and Ms. McGuire has decided that the topic for discussion at the Council's Thursday, September 28, 2023, Education Committee will be:

Discussion - Review of Initial Report Findings and Processes for Investigations of Employee Misconduct in Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS)

However, after stating that discussion topic Ms. McGuire has papered the Councilmembers with 103 pages of copied MCPS policies and procedures, all easily available on the MCPS website.

Ms. McGuire does not provide the Councilmembers with any information that could assist them in understanding their oversight powers.  She does not provide a list of inquiries that could be made by Councilmembers. 

Ms. McGuire is also a former Executive Director to the MCPS Chief Operating Officer.  In that position Ms. McGuire worked closely with the MCPS Office of Human Resources and was frequently included in Board of Education Closed Meetings.  

How about a new topic for the Council's Thursday Education Committee meeting?

What did Ms. McGuire know about the Beidleman allegations? If she knew, when did she know it and what actions did she take to address or investigate those allegations, if any?  

And then, how about Ms. McGuire stepping away from any Council deliberations involving MCPS Human Resources issues?   

Essie McGuire

(16) Essie McGuire | LinkedIn (note she does not list her time at MCPS on her LinkedIn resume)

Essie McGuire was hired in August of 2016 by MCPS to work in the position of Executive Director for the Chief Operating Officer.

Job description for Executive Director for Chief Operating Officer

Human Resources Job Descriptions - Montgomery County Public Schools, Rockville, MD (montgomeryschoolsmd.org)

Job description includes:  Works closely with the Office of Human Resources and Development regarding personnel and other human resources matters.

In this position she was in Closed Sessions of the Board of Education where personnel issues would be discussed.

For example:  170314 Report of Closed Sessions.pdf (boarddocs.com)

July 1, 2020, Essie McGuire was promoted to MCPS ASSOCIATE SUPERINTENDENT of OPERATIONS 

OHRD Rec Appts Public 200210.pdf (boarddocs.com) (see page 4)

Superintendent Jack Smith's "vision" with 3 administrative heads, one was Essie McGuire.

Parents' Coalition of Montgomery County, Maryland: Interim Superintendent McKnight Removes Superintendent Jack Smith's "Vision for the Future" Administrators. Where are they now? (parentscoalitionmc.blogspot.com)

In 2021, Essie McGuire left MCPS and moved back to old job at County Council

Parents' Coalition of Montgomery County, Maryland: On June 29, 2021, MCPS Associate Superintendent of Operations Essie McGuire was in a Closed Door Meeting of the Board of Education, Tomorrow She Runs the County Council's Briefing on MCPS. (parentscoalitionmc.blogspot.com)

Essie McGuire back to County Council job of staff member handling MCPS matters

20210914_2C.pdf (montgomerycountymd.gov)

MoCo Inspector General determined that when DHHS purchased food during the pandemic, it underreported $5 million in emergency food procurements in an annual report, and it didn’t always wait for confirmation that the food had been delivered before submitting payment.

 

DHHS Cited for Not Following Policy When Addressing Food Insecurity During Pandemic

DHHS Cited for Not Following Policy When Addressing Food Insecurity During Pandemic - Montgomery Community Media (mymcmedia.org)

Breaking: MoCo Inspector General Releases Investigation - Finds Misconduct In MCPS Credit Card Program By MCPS Transportation Staff

OIG Finds Misconduct in MCP... by Parents' Coalition of Montg...

OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL

Megan Davey Limarzi, Esq.

Inspector General

NEWS RELEASE

______________________________________________________________________________

For Immediate Release December 15, 2022

OIG Finds Misconduct In MCPS Purchase Card Program

Rockville, Maryland – Montgomery County Maryland Inspector General Megan Davey Limarzi 

announced today the release of a new Office of the Inspector General (OIG) report of 

investigation, Abuse of Purchase Cards by Montgomery County Public Schools 

Department of Transportation Employees, OIG Publication # 23-006, detailing the results of an

OIG investigation directed at abuses of MCPS’s purchase card program. The investigation was 

initiated in furtherance of the OIG’s mission to prevent and detect fraud, waste, and abuse in 

government activities; and propose ways to increase the legal, fiscal, and ethical accountability 

of County government departments and County-funded agencies.

The OIG analyzed the approximate $570,000 worth of transactions that occurred from July 2020 

to June 2022 through P-Cards assigned to MCPS DOT staff and found approximately $133,000 

in purchases made using P-Cards issued to the former MCPS DOT Assistant Director were 

prohibited by policy. The OIG and MCPS deemed that approximately $6,500 was spent on items 

that were possibly for non-MCPS related use. The OIG also found that MCPS DOT management 

and staff regularly violated MCPS P-Card policies. 

The OIG noted that MCPS took several steps to address program vulnerabilities since allegations 

of misconduct emerged, however opportunities still exist for them to strengthen oversight 

programs. The backstop against program abuses and failures is a strong audit and oversight 

program. The OIG found that MCPS’ P-Card monitoring program is not consistently followed

and P-Card audits of central office departments, like DOT, are not a part of routine audits. The 

OIG made similar observations in a 2016 review and recommended improved oversight. The 

OIG made 5 recommendations as a result of this investigation, some of which are again targeted 

at improving oversight of P-Cards.

The OIG pursued this investigation after consulting with the Montgomery County Police

Department about their investigation of alleged misconduct by the former MCPS DOT Director 

and former MCPS DOT Assistant Director. The OIG shared the results of its investigation with 

the State’s Attorney’s Office.

The full report can be found at 

https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/OIG/Resources/Files/PDF/IGActivity/FY2023/OIG-23-006.pdf

Please direct all inquiries to: Email: ig@montgomerycountymd.gov Phone: 240-777-8240