LOUDOUN COUNTY, Va. — The former superintendent of Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS) appeared in court for the first time since it was revealed he and a school spokesperson were indicted after a months-long investigation into the school system's handling of two sexual assaults on campus.
Former Superintendent Scott Ziegler is facing three misdemeanor charges. He offered no comment as he walked into the courthouse Tuesday.
Ziegler sat at the back of the courtroom with his attorney during the brief appearance. He is facing a charge of False Publication, dating back to June 2021 when he was accused of unlawfully, knowingly and willfully delivering false information. He also faces two charges of Prohibited Conduct and "penalizing an employee for a court appearance."
Ziegler was fired earlier this month, shortly after the results of a grand jury investigation into a pair of sex assaults in LCPS were released. The report states there was a "stunning lack of openness, transparency and accountability, both to the public and the grand jury.”
The school system's spokesperson Wayde Byard also appeared in court Tuesday. Byard faces felony perjury charges for statements he made reportedly made in August.
Outside of the courtroom, Byard told WUSA9 that he doesn't know why he's facing perjury charges because neither he nor his attorney has received the details.
Scott Smith, the father of one of the sexual assault victims was in court Tuesday, watching the proceedings. He said he was relieved to see the LCPS leaders in court.
Ziegler has two court dates set for May and July 2023. Byard will be back in court on Jan. 5 to schedule his trial as his attorney was not present Tuesday.
Hours after that court appearance, the first Loudoun County School Board meeting since the indictments, was held.
The meeting began at Tuesday afternoon at 4 p.m. and lasted until 10:45 p.m.
More than 70 people signed up to make comments to the board.
One parent asked the board members, "Are you still pleased?" referring to statements made by some of the board members after the initial grand jury report was released.
Another parent said, "It's time to clean house."
"I'm disgusted with all of you," one student told the board, telling them they failed the students of Loudoun County Public Schools.
"Parents have been yelling from the hilltops about all the corruption, the things that have been going on in our schools the last two years," said Loudoun County parent Colin Doniger.
"I'm glad Ziegler got fired, but it's not enough," Meggan Jenkins with Moms For Liberty told WUSA9. "Plus, he was given a $300,000 golden parachute and it's ridiculous. If the school board members think he's so wonderful they should pay for it out of their own pockets."
The board meeting began with discussion about the eight recommendations made in the grand jury report. Some of the parents told WUSA9 what has unfolded so far is a good start, but that there's a lot that still needs to happen before trust is restored.
"The parents have spoken and from this point forward the parents' voice is going to be the loudest voice," said Loudoun County parent Rene Camp.