...Katz has taught at 15 of the county's schools since May 2017
Burtonsville Elementary School
Olney Elementary School
Sherwood Elementary School
Cloverly Elementary School
Pyle Middle School
Kennedy High School
Burnt Mills Elementary School
Brooke Grove Elementary School
Seven Locks Elementary School
Sherwood High School
Wayside Elementary School
Paint Branch High School
Farquhar Middle School
Frost Middle School
Burning Tree Elementary School
In a letter sent to parents, Howard County Public Schools Interim Superintendent Michael Martirano said Katz was a substitute teacher in Howard County as well. Martirano said the news of Katz's arrest has sparked a change in how the school system will do background checks.
"These charges cause me great concern as I'm sure it does for each of you. We take safety of our students seriously and I am greatly chagrined that this individual was trusted to enter our classrooms and teach our children," Martirano said. "As with all HCPSS employees, he underwent a criminal background check, fingerprinting and a detailed reference check when he was hired by HCPSS. I have directed our staff to review the process for evaluating substitutes, and putting in place a system to more periodically conduct background checks."
Montgomery County police said any parents whose children may have had contact with Katz should talk to them and contact SVID detectives at 240-773-5400 if they believe their child was victimized.
Parents received this by email from Kennedy High Principal Joe L. Ruben informing them that Mr. Katz was a substitute teacher there.
ReplyDeleteMarch 17, 2018
Dear Parents and Guardians:
I am writing to inform you about the March 16, 2018, arrest of Mr. Steven Katz, a substitute teacher for Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS). Mr. Katz has been charged with sexual abuse of a minor and 4th degree sex offense stemming from inappropriate contact with a Cloverly Elementary School student. While the charges are unrelated to our school, I am sharing this information with you because Mr. Katz briefly served as a substitute teacher at our school this year.
MCPS has been fully cooperating with Child Protective Services, the Montgomery County Police
Department (MCPD), and the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office on this matter. Pursuant
to our memorandum of understanding with these agencies and MCPS policies and regulations, the
Special Victims Investigations Division of MCPD requested the school and the district not to share any details broadly with the community until now to avoid prejudicing the ongoing investigation.
Mr. Katz has been employed with MCPS as a substitute teacher since May 2017. Mr. Katz was
immediately removed from his position as a substitute teacher after MCPS was made aware of the
allegations of his actions.
The allegations described in the charging documents are very distressing. We do not and will not
tolerate this behavior in our school. School counselors and support staff will be available to provide counseling and support to students as needed.
Providing our students with a safe learning environment is our top priority. If you or your child have any information that may be helpful to the investigation, I ask that you call the Special Victims Investigations Division of the Montgomery County Police Department at 240-773-5400.
Will it lie within the sound discretion of the SAO?
DeleteOtherwise, you're back at square one just like a game of Sorry!
Will it lie within the sound discretion of the SAO?
DeleteOtherwise, you're back at square one just like a game of Sorry!
Where was Martirano when MCPS was looking for a leader? He sounds like he is taking specific actions to address this situation.
ReplyDeleteThis is a standard template letter used by MCPS
ReplyDelete