Bethesda, Maryland — A jury has awarded over $500,000 to a local high school teacher accused of making racially insensitive remarks about a seating arrangement. The case focused on allegations against Daniel Engler, a teacher at Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School, who was claimed to have told two Black students he would struggle to distinguish between them if they were not in their assigned seats.
Engler firmly denied making any racial comments and contended that the students misrepresented his words. The controversy escalated when Principal Shelton Mooney issued a community letter characterizing the incident as a “hate-bias incident” without allowing Engler to defend himself.
Engler subsequently filed a lawsuit against Mooney and the Montgomery County Public Schools Board, asserting that the principal fabricated the comment in question. During the trial, Mooney acknowledged that he had distorted a quote in his message but justified it by stating it reflected the sentiments of students who witnessed the exchange.
Engler’s attorney, David Wachen, characterized the incident as a case of acting without proper investigation. The jury found in favor of Engler after a week-long trial, awarding him $518,000 in damages, which is significantly higher than the $75,000 he initially sought.
In a statement following the verdict, Engler expressed relief, emphasizing the humanity of teachers and the importance of being treated fairly when mistakes occur. He viewed the jury’s decision as a validation of his position.
The Montgomery County school board did not comment on the case, while Mooney and his attorney refused to provide statements following the verdict. The trial featured testimony from several community members, including students who were present during the alleged incident.
The jury concluded that the school board had defamed Engler while ruling that Mooney himself did not bear responsibility. Mooney’s defense suggested that he was not solely at fault, citing that decisions about the community message involved input from other district officials.
This ruling comes at a time when educational institutions are grappling with issues of race and bias, making the case particularly significant within the context of ongoing national discussions.
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