Montgomery County schools staff member whose ‘inappropriate behavior’ was caught on camera says he was unaware
GAITHERSBURG, Md. (FOX 5 DC) - A Montgomery County Public Schools staff member who was caught on camera engaged in "inappropriate behavior" told FOX 5 on Wednesday that he was unaware that he was being recorded.
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Marc Shack – who had been working as a teacher’s aide in a history class for students from Shady Grove Middle School – says he thought the class was over, and he’d logged off.
The school's principal, Alana Murray, said in a letter to parents that the staff member was seen on screen in a breakout room 'engaged in inappropriate behavior.'
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She says the incident is under investigation.
The incident, Murray says, was recorded and posted on social media. "We ask that any student who may have this video posted on social media platforms take down the content and refrain from sharing with other students," Murray added.
"I didn’t do anything intentional. It was a horrible mistake. I didn’t know the camera was on. I thought I logged off of the Zoom classroom," Schack said.
Schack – who says he’s been in education for over 20 years – told FOX 5 that he’s "not a deviant."
"It was not done intentionally. I had no clue that I was on video. I don’t know what else to say. I just found out today. I’m pretty disturbed about the whole situation. I didn’t do anything intentionally, not malicious. I meant no harm because I didn’t even know I was on the recording. I’m a good guy, you know. I was just in privacy of my own home and I didn’t mean any ill will. I didn’t do anything on purpose," Schack said.
She said the incident is under investigation and was reported to law enforcement and to the MCPS's central office.
FOX 5's Stephanie Ramirez spoke with Ramon Korionoff, spokesperson for the Montgomery County State's Attorney's Office, who said, "We will refrain from commenting on this matter at this time as it is an on-going investigation."
On Thursday, Montgomery County Police told FOX 5 that "investigators conferred with the State’s Attorney’s Office and it was determined that the incident did not rise to the level of a criminal offense under Maryland law."