Southern Maryland News

Superinten­dent promises more sexual abuse training for staff

Hill, interim principal to attend Benjamin Stoddert info night

- By JAMIE ANFENSON-COMEAU janfenson-comeau@somdnews.com

Charles County Public Schools will train every employee regarding child sexual abuse through the Stewards of Children program, Superinten­dent Kimberly Hill said during her first school board address of the 2017-18 school year.

Hill addressed the impact of the charges against Carlos Bell, 30, of Waldorf, a former track coach and instructio­nal assistant at Benjamin Stoddert Middle School who was recently charged with 119 counts related to the sexual abuse of children and possible HIV transmissi­on. Authoritie­s allege Bell victimized at least 24 children over the course of two years.

Bell came to the attention of authoritie­s when a parent at La Plata High School, where he coached track, reported an inappropri­ate text message, but charges did not come until June when graphic images of Bell committing sexual abuse were allegedly found on his electronic devices which had been sent to the state crime lab.

Bell was reassigned to the central office pending investigat­ion and told not to have contact with students. Bell was terminated after failing to show up to work at his new assignment.

“We are cooperatin­g fully, as we have since December, with the officers investigat­ing this heinous crime,” Hill said.

Hill also announced that she and Stoddert’s interim principal, Marvin Jones, will attend the second parent informatio­n night at the school on Aug. 16.

The first meeting was held on July 28 under then-principal Kenneth Schroek, and Hill did not attend. The first meeting was held in the format of small, facilitato­r-led focus groups, where parents were asked how they felt and how the school’s relationsh­ip with parents could be improved. The meeting became chaotic, with some parents storming out.

Schroek was removed from his position and transferre­d to the Office of Supporting Services three days later following the announceme­nt of the 119-count indictment.

Hill said the format for the second meeting has been changed in response to parents’ comments.

Hill said the nonprofit Center for Children will be providing sexual abuse prevention training for administra­tors during the school system’s Leadership Institute next week.

Over the following month, every employee will be trained through the Stewards of Children program, a training system designed to teach adults how to prevent, recognize and react responsibl­y to child sexual abuse using real people and real stories, according to the website for Darkness to Light, a Charleston, S.C.based nonprofit aimed at ending child sexual abuse.

Similar trainings and presentati­ons will be offered for parents during the fall and winter through parent-teacher organizati­on meetings, Hill said.

Kenneth Savoid, a school crossing guard at Benjamin Stoddert, was the sole speaker during the public comments phase of Tuesday’s meeting and addressed the revelation­s of child sexual abuse at the school.

“I have to say, that I am appalled that this is going on here in Charles County,” said Savoid, a retired officer of the Prince George’s County Police Department and White Plains resident. “This is a problem that has resurfaced and gone on too long.”

Savoid addressed recent reports of child abuse in Prince George’s County Public Schools as well, saying, “I solemnly suggest that both you and Prince George’s County get it together and trade ideas.”

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