Montgomery County Public Schools' review of employee histories reveals criminal violations

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. (7News) — 7News presses Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) for answers after a recent review of employee histories reveals criminal violations.

We reached out to MCPS to learn more about the cases. The school system confirmed recent screenings flagged 22 employees...

...We talked to a former MCPS student and parent who is also a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Certified Sex Offender Treatment Provider.

She said MCPS is putting its students in danger.

"My response is a deep sense of disappointment and outrage. What this means is MCPS is failing in its most basic duty to help create safe environments for our children," Jennifer Gross said.

MCPS blamed the background check backlog on the previous administration and said it rescreened more than 10,000 employees between September and December of 2025...

https://wjla.com/news/local/story/montgomery-county-public-schools-mcps-background-checks-criminal-violations-employee-screening-child-protective-services-safety-concerns-maryland-education-issues-backlog-policy-fbi-rapback

Former MCPS Teacher Pleads Guilty to Felony Theft from Rockville Dance Studio

Erin Kelly, a former Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) teacher, pled guilty Tuesday to theft of more than $100,000.

She also pled not guilty embezzlement, a misdemeanor. The theft charge is a felony.

The Rockville resident is scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 7. She could be sentenced to up to 20 years and a $25,000 fine.

Kelly, 41, has been on leave from her position as an Odessa Shannon Middle School team leader for alternative programs, following her indictment by a grand jury for allegedly embezzling $161,000 from a dance studio in Rockville...

Former MCPS Teacher Pleads Guilty to Felony Theft from Rockville Dance Studio - Montgomery Community Media