A TEACHER SHOULDN'T HAVE TO GO BANKRUPT TO FIGHT FOR HIS REPUTATION AND CAREER. ON FEB. 8, IT WILL BE THREE YEARS SINCE DAN AND HIS FAMILY'S ORDEAL BEGAN. LET'S TRY TO END IT BY THIS FEB. WITH 1,000 GIFTS OF $50.

(MARYLAND DOES NOT ALLOW LEGAL FEES TO BE REIMBURSED IN DEFAMATION CASES -- EVEN IF YOU WIN!)

Many of you have followed Dan Engler’s incredible legal odyssey. In 2023, he was forced to sue Montgomery County Public Schools for defamation after the then-principal sent an email containing a fabricated quote to approximately 7,000 students, teachers, staff, parents, and guardians at B-CC High School. Later, the principal would admit multiple times under oath that he made up the quote, that he had never spoken to Dan before sending the email, and that he was completely unaware of any MCPS standard investigative procedures to be followed.

In July 2025, the case went to trial. After 8.5 days, it took the jury just over two hours to return a verdict in Dan’s favor – finding the school system and the Board of Education liable for the damage done to Dan, his family, and his career. The jury awarded Dan $518,000. The judge in the case also sanctioned MCPS for withholding/destroying evidence before the case went to the jury. Dan is one of the only people to sue MCPS and win, holding them accountable.

If that were the end of it, you wouldn’t be reading this request. But Maryland is one of eight states that imposes a $400,000 maximum cap on judgments against government entities. MCPS also threatened to appeal the verdict, which would have caused additional legal expenses and distress. Dan agreed to settle for $395,000. It still took MCPS months to execute the settlement agreement, and they even attempted to remove some of his contractually guaranteed rights, which the teacher’s union found to be a serious violation.

The ripple effects of this case, in terms of benefits to the broader community, have been enormous. For the first time, last summer, all MCPS administrators were required to undergo training on how to conduct investigations. This had not happened before – and it’s not just teachers. Countless numbers of students have been harmed by poorly conducted or nonexistent investigations involving disciplinary issues. There has also been a leadership change at B-CC, resulting in a new principal. MCPS may also finally be required to honor legal notices to preserve documents and communications, as well as provide timely discovery in legal matters. Other legal cases involving the mistreatment of teachers and students will also greatly benefit from Dan’s courage in seeing this case through to trial.

The cost to Dan has been enormous. The trial, legal fees, and expert testimony left Dan with $520,000 in total legal expenses, even after he received a generous discount from his attorneys. We hope you can help Dan clear his remaining $120,000 in debt, so that Dan and Krista can work towards regaining their lives. We know that economic times are difficult, but any amount you can contribute will make a tremendous difference.

With deepest thanks. Lyric Winik (former B-CC PTSA President) joined by Marilyn Emery, Price Floyd, Liz Waters, and Ami Susan and Michael Petrucelli