Dear Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) community: I am aware of the heartache and anger the recent incident at C. Paul Barnhart Elementary School has caused our community and I appreciate the continued support, understanding and patience as Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) and Barnhart administrators work to fully investigate the incident.
CCPS continues to support the families of the students involved. The students are not presently at school. We have been working privately with the families to provide academic and continuous social-emotional support and resources. We also provided additional support for students and staff today at Barnhart and will continue to do so as requested by the school.
As of today, we have gathered additional statements from staff and students and completed a thorough review of school camera footage. Based on our investigation so far, we have no reason to believe this was race-related or there was any intent for anyone to be hurt. However, disciplinary consequences following the CCPS Code of Student Conduct are being imposed due to the serious nature of this incident.
As we do each day, we will protect the identities of all children in our schools. Due to federal and state laws protecting student privacy, we cannot release any other details or disciplinary consequences implemented as they are part of a student’s protected record. It is important for the community to know that the Charles County Sheriff’s Office is conducting its own investigation.
This morning, Barnhart administrators reviewed with school staff protocols in place for student restroom use. This includes ensuring students are traveling to bathrooms in pairs and reminding staff of existing protocols related to hallway and bathroom monitoring.
As expected, the news of this incident has traveled far outside of our community. Please remember that the students involved in this investigation are children. Some of this attention has led to serious threats as well as disturbing rhetoric circulating online. Out of an abundance of caution, we will continue to have additional police resources at the school and supporting staff externally.
CCPS has mental health and counseling resources available for all students and their families. Parents, if you or your child need support please contact the counselor, pupil personnel worker or an administrator at your child’s school.
I am working with the school principal to schedule a meeting with the Barnhart community soon. Thank you for your support of the students and staff across all our schools but especially now, the Barnhart community.
Sincerely, Maria V. Navarro, Ed.D. Superintendent of Schools
