On August 4th, an email was sent to the Paint Branch High School community informing them of the school’s principal, Dr. Joel Beidleman, going on extended leave. Beidleman was named principal at Paint Branch in June and was previously principal at William Farquhar Middle School in Olney. On August 11th, the Washington Post released an article alleging that Beidleman was reported to Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) 18 times in seven years and details alleged sexual harassment, workplace bullying, and other inappropriate conduct at multiple schools, spanning over a decade. The article states that Beidleman was placed on leave by MCPS and that the school system will launch an “independent, external investigation.”
#Statement from @MCPS Board of Education regarding investigation into sexual harassment allegations against Paint Branch High principal. #FULL STORY: https://t.co/vApa0eSgtk pic.twitter.com/N8Gw9v5FDb