July

3, 2017

Dear CCPS Staff, Parents and Guardians:

The Charles County States Attorney has charged one of our former employees,
Carlos D. Bell, with sexual misconduct charges, including second degree assault and
production of child pornography. Mr. Bell was arrested and charges were filed
Friday in a sealed indictment made public today during a bond hearing. Mr. Bell, a
former instructional assistant at Benjamin Stoddert Middle School, has not worked
in any school building since Dec. 22, 2016. He remains jailed without bond. The
Sheriffs Office has alleged Bell sexually assaulted several male students and believe
there could be more victims.

At 2 p.m. today, the States Attorney, Sheriff, Health Officer and I will present public
information during a press conference about the case. The Sheriffs Office began
investigating Mr. Bell in December 2016 after receiving a complaint from a high
school parent who raised concern about electronic messages from Mr. Bell to her
child. Mr. Bell was also the head indoor track coach at La Plata High School.

Once notified of the investigation, CCPS immediately removed Mr. Bell from his
duties as an employee and directed that he have no contact with students or student
athletes. We have cooperated fully with the Sheriffs Office throughout the
investigation, and we will continue to work with them to ensure that all facts are
uncovered and appropriate actions are taken.

I am alarmed and saddened by these alleged incidents, some of which occurred at
school. Student safety is job one, and clearly we have work to do to determine where
we fell short in this instance, and how we can ensure that this will never happen
again. Our immediate attention will be focused on providing support to any students
that may have been affected by Mr. Bells actions.

Mr. Bell was first employed by Charles County Public Schools in September 2014. In
addition to Stoddert and La Plata, he also worked briefly at J.P. Ryon Elementary
School and as the 201516 school year indoor track coach at Maurice J. McDonough
High School.

I am sending this letter today to all CCPS staff members and parents who have
provided the school system with an email address. We understand the allegations
are alarming to anyone whose children might have had contact with Mr. Bell. We
encourage you to talk with your children, and if they report anything inappropriate
whatsoever, please call 18002255324.

Sincerely,

Kimberly A. Hill, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools