Overview
- An Anne Arundel County jury acquitted Schlegel in mid-June on 18 counts of student sex abuse and prosecutors dropped the remaining charges after declining a July 1 retrial request.
- The district is finalizing its internal review under state employment laws ahead of decisions on whether to reinstate or terminate Schlegel before the fall term.
- Parents represented by attorney Thiru Vignarajah launched a petition on July 23 and have filed at least one civil lawsuit against the school board and principal alleging negligent hiring and emotional distress.
- Defense attorney Patrick Seidel and the Teachers Association of Anne Arundel County emphasize Schlegel’s due process rights and condemn the petition and media campaign as harassment and misinformation.
- The controversy spotlights tensions between legal verdicts and community safety concerns, prompting calls for stricter policies and safeguards against educator misconduct.