To: The Board of Education, Anne Arundel County Public Schools

Subject: Concern Regarding AACPS Survivors of Sexual Abuse

Dear Members of Board of Education:

We represent families in the Severna Park community, many of whom have children attending Severna Park Elementary School (SPES). We are writing to you with deep concern and disappointment regarding Anne Arundel County Public School System’s (AACPS) response to the numerous accusations of sexual abuse involving Matthew Schlegel, a teacher at SPES.

More than a year has passed since these allegations first came to light. In that time, AACPS has repeatedly failed to prioritize the safety and well-being of the children.

Rather than acting decisively and transparently, AACPS has not clearly explained why it was unable to act or provide timely information to families. Understanding the reasons behind this failure is critical—not only to acknowledge the impact on affected students and families, but also to ensure that similar harm is not repeated, whether in this district or elsewhere.

Additionally and most notably, AACPS continues to employ Mr. Schlegel despite the volume and severity of the accusations reported by the children, and multiple children and adults stating they witnessed girls sitting on his lap – which is indisputably inappropriate. By maintaining his role as a county employee, AACPS is silencing the children and their families and undermining trust in the school system.

Additional failures in AACPS’ handling of this matter include:

• Parents of SPES students were not notified of the allegations until three weeks after Mr. Schlegel’s sudden removal from the classroom on March 18, 2024.
• Leadership at both the school and county levels failed to acknowledge the accusations directly with students or meaningfully engage families in conversation about the trauma and how to support children affected by it. For instance, many students exhibited clear signs of distress and potential abuse both before and after the allegations became public, yet families were not provided with the necessary resources or guidance to recognize these warning signs or seek appropriate help.
• The SPES parent-teacher organization (PTO) discouraged efforts to increase transparency and provide support for impacted families.

The well-being of the students must take precedent over administrative and legal technicalities. When students report abuse, it is the moral and professional duty of educational leaders to listen, believe them, and act swiftly and compassionately. The failure to do so, as AACPS has done, further traumatizes survivors and sends a message that the protection of accused abusers is prioritized over the safety, dignity, and the voices of the children entrusted to your care.

We respectfully urge the AACPS Board of Education to take immediate action that our children are worthy of in order to change course, restore trust, and create a path towards healing for students, families, and the broader school community.

1. First and most importantly, we ask that the Board immediately and permanently terminate the employment of the teacher accused of child sexual abuse to affirm AACPS’s commitment to student safety and zero tolerance for abuse. In the event that termination is not legally or procedurally possible, we request a detailed explanation of the steps being taken, the timeline involved, and assurances that he will not be permitted access to the students on school property.
2. Second, we ask that the Board provide a detailed explanation for the reason for the inadequate response to the allegations as described above. Clear and transparent communication is essential to rebuilding trust in our community and ensure that other communities can learn from and avoid repeating the challenges in our experience.
3. Finally, we ask that the Board set a priority over the next 6 to 12 months to evaluate and revise AACPS policies regarding staff conduct and personal safety and abuse prevention, and meaningfully engage the community in the process.

We remain committed to working with you to advance these necessary actions and welcome the opportunity for open and ongoing dialogue. Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter and for your leadership during this critical time.