Former Loudoun County Superintendent blames sex assault victims in criminal trial.
Loudoun County Superintendent on Trial for Retaliating Against Whistleblower Teacher
The criminal trial of former Loudoun County Public Schools Superintendent Scott Ziegler enters its fourth day as he faces charges of retaliating against a teacher who exposed sexual abuse and cooperated with a special grand jury investigating the school system’s cover-up of a bathroom rape.
In court, former teacher Erin Brooks testified about the disturbing incidents she experienced, including a 10-year-old autistic student repeatedly grabbing her genitals and making sexual gestures with his tongue. When Brooks expressed concerns about her safety, administrators offered her a piece of cardboard to shield herself and even suggested buying her an apron to “slow down the penetration.”
Ziegler’s attorney and the school’s principal attempted to shift blame onto Brooks and her teaching aide, claiming that the student did not exhibit the same behavior with his new teacher and that the teachers failed to implement their suggestions, such as using the apron.
This trial presents an opportunity for Loudoun officials to face criminal consequences following the acquittal of their spokesperson on perjury charges. Outrage over the school system’s cover-up of a rape, coupled with the county prosecutor’s controversial actions, prompted Governor Glenn Youngkin to empower a special grand jury to investigate the school system.
Ziegler is charged with three misdemeanors related to his alleged punishment of a teacher for cooperating with the grand jury and discussing another incident of sexual abuse that she believed the school system wanted to conceal.
Principal Mackey’s Troubling Demonstration
During the trial, prosecutors asked Principal Mackey to demonstrate what she wanted Brooks to do with the cardboard. Shockingly, Mackey stood up and held it in front of her groin, suggesting that Brooks should have been “professional enough” to handle the situation.
Ziegler’s defense repeatedly insinuated that Brooks was responsible for her own assault because she refused to give the autistic student an iPad, leading to his frustration. However, little evidence was presented to support this claim, and it remains unclear why Brooks, an experienced special education teacher, would have a motive to deny the student an iPad.
Brooks and her teaching aide, Vandermeulen, diligently documented the daily assaults they endured and shared this information with Principal Mackey via email. However, Mackey never bothered to open the emails. Fearing another cover-up, Vandermeulen began forwarding some emails to her personal Gmail account.
Vandermeulen broke down in tears on the witness stand, recounting the abuse she suffered from both the student and the school administration when she advocated for it to stop.
Desperate for help, Vandermeulen reached out to Ian Prior, a frequent speaker at school board meetings, who relayed her concerns to the board. Brooks also contacted Prior to ensure the child’s privacy was protected, although it turned out to be unnecessary.
Following the school board meeting, the student was immediately removed from Brooks’ and Vandermeulen’s classroom. However, instead of receiving support, Brooks found herself under investigation by the school system and facing retaliation.
Principal Mackey’s performance evaluation of Brooks, which was read in court, repeatedly blamed her for the assault and claimed her failure to control the classroom led to the student’s removal.
Mackey’s Lack of Professionalism
When asked about the appropriate professional response to having her genitals touched, Mackey responded, “I don’t know.” This shocking admission raises serious concerns about her ability to handle such situations.
Evidence presented during the trial highlighted Brooks’ exceptional teaching skills and positive reviews, making Ziegler’s recommendation to fire her all the more puzzling. The school district accused Brooks of violating the student’s privacy after an education activist vaguely mentioned workplace safety concerns at a school board meeting.
Ziegler’s defense claimed that Brooks’ termination was to protect the school district from potential lawsuits by the assailant’s parents. However, evidence suggests that the parents were unresponsive and that the student may have been experiencing abuse at home.
Principal Mackey testified that she recommended Brooks’ termination without pressure from Ziegler but later admitted that her previous denial of discussing it with him was false. She revealed that she did have a phone call with Ziegler regarding the matter.
The prosecution argued that Ziegler aggressively pushed for Brooks’ firing as retaliation for her Title IX complaint and grand jury testimony.
School board member John Beatty testified that Ziegler falsely claimed Brooks disclosed private information about a child to a conservative activist. Beatty also mentioned Ziegler’s suspicious behavior when questioned about the termination.
Principal Mackey acknowledged that she demanded to see Brooks’ grand jury subpoena when she requested a day off to testify. The grand jury had previously warned school employees and board members not to obstruct their investigation, and Mackey admitted to close communication with the cabinet member who issued the warning.
The special grand jury was initiated by Governor Youngkin in response to The Daily Wire’s report on the school system’s attempt to conceal a sexual assault. The local prosecutor’s controversial actions, including attempting to jail the rape victim’s father, further fueled the need for an investigation. Ziegler faces three misdemeanors, two related to Brooks and one to be tried separately in February for providing false information about sexual assaults in school bathrooms.
How has the culture of secrecy and intimidation within the administration impacted the handling of sexual abuse complaints within the Loudoun County Public Schools?
Ts and public backlash. However, critics argue that this explanation does not justify punishing a teacher for raising legitimate safety concerns and cooperating with a grand jury investigation.
The trial also shed light on the school system’s efforts to cover up the bathroom rape incident, as several witnesses testified about the culture of secrecy and intimidation within the administration. One teacher who reported the assault was allegedly forced into retirement, while another faced continuous harassment until they resigned. These tactics employed by the school system not only hindered justice but also sent a message to other teachers that speaking out would have severe consequences.
Throughout the trial, the defense continuously attempted to undermine the credibility of the whistleblowers. They insinuated that the allegations were exaggerated or even fabricated, despite the overwhelming evidence presented by the prosecution. The defense also relied on victim-blaming tactics, suggesting that the teachers were responsible for their assaults and should have been able to handle the situations better.
However, the testimonies of Brooks and Vandermeulen, along with other corroborating evidence, painted a clear picture of a school system that failed to protect its teachers and students. It revealed a lack of accountability and an apparent disregard for the safety and well-being of their employees.
This case has garnered significant attention and outrage from the community, highlighting the need for systemic changes within the Loudoun County Public Schools. The mishandling of sexual abuse complaints, the culture of secrecy, and the retaliatory actions against whistleblowers have eroded trust in the school system.
As the trial continues, it remains to be seen whether justice will prevail and if the school system will be held accountable. This case serves as a sobering reminder of how important it is to protect whistleblowers and ensure that victims of sexual abuse receive the support and justice they deserve.
The outcome of this trial will not only impact the lives of the individuals involved but will also shape the future of the Loudoun County Public Schools. It is a critical moment for the community and an opportunity to demand transparency, accountability, and meaningful change from the school system.
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