Hunt Valley, Md. (WBFF) — Just weeks after Baltimore County Public Schools’ new superintendent pledged greater transparency and accountability, questions are surfacing over how the district handled the arrest of one of its employees – questions that BCPS, as of now, won’t answer.
On Monday, July 6, Dr. Bill Heiser was officially introduced as Baltimore County Public Schools’ new superintendent. The first media question he took came from Project Baltimore.
“There have been some issues with previous superintendents regarding media access and transparency. Do you believe in transparency and will you make yourself available to the media and the public when issues do arise?” Asked Project Baltimore’s Chris Papst during the July 6 press conference.
“Absolutely. You know, I certainly believe in not only just believe in it, I want to live it,” Heiser replied. “And so you want to be transparent with media, with community, want to make sure that there’s appropriate access.”
Heiser delivered that response less than a month ago. And there are already transparency concerns with BCPS regarding the arrest of district employee Jesse Wasmer.
Monday, July 6, Dr. Bill Heiser was officially introduced as Baltimore County Public Schools’ new superintendent (WBFF)
“Our coalition formed because we wanted to advocate and protect for what’s best for students,” said Amy Adams, with the Baltimore County Parent and Student Coalition. “This is an important issue that hopefully would rise to top priority because it is student safety.”
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On July 15, New Castle County Police, as part of a human trafficking investigation, raided Crystal Spa in Wilmington, Delaware where three women were identified as victims of human trafficking. Multiple suspects located inside the spa were arrested, including Jesse Wasmer who was charged with Attempting to Commit Patronizing a Prostitute.
Wasmer is a well-known Baltimore County Public Schools employee who in 2012 was labeled a hero when he tackled a school shooter, who was holding a firearm, in the cafeteria at Perry Hall High School.
On July 31, Project Baltimore sent an email to BCPS asking the district to “confirm” the Jesse Wasmer arrested in Delaware is the same Jesse Wasmer employed by BCPS as a Pupil Personnel Worker. Later that same day, BCPS replied “confirming” it’s the same person.
Jesse Wasmer, a Baltimore County Schools employee, was charged with Attempting to Commit Patronizing a Prostitute by New Castle Police Department on July 15 (WBFF)
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The following day, on August 1, BCPS sent an email to the school communities where Wasmer was assigned, stating Wasmer had been placed on administrative leave and was barred from the schools. BCPS wrote in the email, “Ensuring a safe learning environment for our students is our top priority.” If that’s true, why did it take 17 days after Wasmer’s arrest for BCPS to tell the public that action was taken?
Starting on August 3, Project Baltimore sent multiple emails to BCPS asking that question. We also asked, “When was BCPS first made aware of Mr. Wasmer’s arrest?” And “How was the district made aware?”
BCPS sent one reply stating “additional information” would not be made available because it was a “personnel matter”.
Baltimore County Public Schools response to Fox45 (WBFF)
Project Baltimore believes taxpayers deserve to know when BCPS was made aware of Wasmer’s arrest and why it took 17 days for the district to alert the public that action was taken. Knowing the answers to those questions could help identify potential issues with how BCPS monitors employees accused of criminal activity. We will stay on this story.
Follow Project Baltimore’s Chris Papst on X and Facebook. Send news tips to cjpapst@sbgtv.com
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