A legal dispute between Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) and two outspoken residents has ended in a costly resolution for the district, as America First Legal (AFL) announced a six-figure settlement secured on behalf of journalist Matthew Foldi and author Bethany Mandel.
The case stemmed from MCPS’s decision to suppress dissenting voices online, specifically, Mandel’s, after she condemned the district’s removal of parental opt-outs from curriculum centered on “LGBT themes.”
A federal judge in Maryland ruled that MCPS’s “Staff Pride” group may have infringed on Mandel’s constitutional rights when it blocked her from viewing and engaging with its content on X.
The court rebuked the group’s attempt to shield its actions with qualified immunity, writing that such a defense “flies in the face of binding precedent available to [them] at the time.”
The ruling also emphasized the discriminatory enforcement of MCPS’s social media engagement, stating, “Mandel was iced out while others who shared the Pride Members’ views and supported the MCPS policies were not similarly restricted.”
AFL initiated the suit in late 2023, arguing that MCPS retaliated against Mandel’s viewpoint because it diverged from that of the school’s internal affinity group.
The resulting settlement not only includes financial compensation but also forces tangible policy reforms.
The “Staff Pride” group must unblock Mandel, and MCPS employees are now subject to a revamped social media code that bans censorship based on differing opinions. Staff will also be obligated to certify their compliance with the new rules.
This censorship episode is part of a larger conflict over parental rights and ideological control in public education.
Mandel’s opposition to the district’s LGBT curriculum policy change mirrors arguments raised in a separate lawsuit, Mahmoud v. Taylor, now before the US Supreme Court.
In a press release, AFL positioned the settlement as a victory for those pushing back against ideological overreach in schools.
“America First Legal is proud to have represented Matthew Foldi and Bethany Mandel in their righteous efforts to hold Montgomery County Public Schools accountable to its constitutional obligations and its fiduciary duties to the public,” said Ian Prior, the group’s senior advisor.
“The right to speak on matters of public concern, and especially on the performance of the government, is paramount in the United States of America. We are pleased that we were able to achieve this result for our clients and all those who have and will speak out and continue to hold Montgomery County Public Schools accountable. Those with radical agendas may be in charge of our public school systems, but the vast majority of Americans oppose their enforced ideology and their ability to speak critically on these issues is the key to returning our schools to normalcy.”
Bethany Mandel reflected on the case’s broader significance: “This settlement sent a message to MCPS and other school districts across the country. Citizens demand transparency and accountability, and a refusal to provide that to journalists and residents has consequences. It’s a shame that it came to this point, but it’s an important victory for common sense in our county.”
