New Trial Requested For Former Loudoun Schools Superintendent

LOUDOUN COUNTY, VA — A new trial will be pursued against former Loudoun County Public Schools Superintendent Scott Ziegler in the retaliatory firing of a school teacher.

A jury had found Ziegler guilty of retaliatory firing of a school teacher in September 2023. The case relates to an accusation of Ziegler firing a special education teacher who expressed concerns about being inappropriately touched by a student, court records showed.

On Wednesday, a judge set aside the conviction against Ziegler and sought a new trial, the Associated Press reported.

The teacher, Erin Brooks, was awarded the Special Education Advisory Committee Excellence Award in 2021 for her work in the classroom, her LinkedIn profile says. She worked at Rosa Lee Carter Elementary School in Ashburn before her contract was not renewed in 2022 after coming forward by inappropriate touching by a student, according to FOX 5.

The prosecution in the retaliation case was led by Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares, who along with Gov. Glenn Youngkin had criticized the school system for its handling of two sexual assault cases. In 2021, Loudoun County Public Schools attracted national attention for its handling of sexual assault cases involving a then-15-year-old boy. After the first assault at Ashburn's Stone Bridge High School in May 2021, officials transferred the boy to Broad Run High School in Ashburn. In October 2021, the boy sexually assaulted a victim at Broad Run High School, according to court records.

Ziegler, who was superintendent at the time, was eventually fired by the school board. The retaliation against a teacher case was the only conviction resulting from Miyares' investigation of LCPS following the sexual assaults.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE:

• Former LCPS Superintendent Found Guilty In Retaliation Case
• Loudoun School Sexual Assaults: Grand Jury Releases Report
• LCPS Employees Indicted By Grand Jury
• Teen Sentenced For 2 Sexual Assaults At Loudoun County High Schools: Report
• Loudoun Teen Pleads No Contest To 2nd Sexual Assault
• Loudoun Teen Found Guilty Of Assaulting Girl In Bathroom
• Sentence Changed For Teen Convicted In Loudoun Sexual Assaults

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

The National Sexual Violence Resource Center can provide information about reporting and coping with sexual abuse. Their website also features training materials and tips to prevent sexual abuse. The Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network operates a 24/7 hotline for victims of sexual assault. The hotline can be reached at 1-800-656-4673.