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Assistant superintendent placed on leave after staff member claims he repeatedly projected a photo of her in a college dance team uniform at meetings
Summary by The Atlanta Editorial Desk · Based on reporting by Dakota Griffin , Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News
· July 22, 2026
· 3 min read
ALBEMARLE COUNTY, Va. ( WVIR ) — Allegations of sexual harassment, discrimination, and intimidation toward women within Albemarle County Public Schools in Virginia are being made against Assistant Superintendent Patrick McLaughlin. Heidi Gilman Bennett, a family counseling officer with Albemarle ...
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Summary created by The Atlanta Editorial Desk — automated, rule-governed Original reporting Dakota Griffin, Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News Original story Read at the source Source published Jul 22, 2026 Indexed here Jul 22, 2026 AI assistance Automated summary drawn from the source’s own published text Prepublication human review No — editorial rules, flagged-item review, and published samples
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Key takeaway Gilman Bennett said she learned of the alleged incidents before the July 16 school board meeting, where she publicly described what she had been told.
Why this matters in The Atlanta
In Atlanta, where community trust in school leadership is paramount, the allegations against Assistant Superintendent Patrick McLaughlin in a neighboring state serve as a stark reminder of the need for vigilant oversight and accountability. While the incident occurred in Virginia, it resonates locally, given the emphasis on fostering safe and respectful learning environments in Fulton County schools. The fact that a staff member allegedly felt intimidated and fearful of speaking out underscores the importance of robust reporting mechanisms and swift action by school administrators. As the Atlanta community continues to navigate its own educational challenges, the McLaughlin case highlights the need for local school leaders to prioritize transparency, equity, and inclusivity, ensuring that all students, staff, and families feel valued and supported. By drawing lessons from this incident, Atlanta's school leaders can reaffirm their commitment to creating a culture of respect and empathy within their own institutions.
About this story
Original reporting by Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News . The Atlanta surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: schools ·
Published: July 22, 2026 ·
Source: Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News ·
Reading time: 3 min
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? ALBEMARLE COUNTY, Va. ( WVIR ) — Allegations of sexual harassment, discrimination, and intimidation toward women within Albemarle County Public Schools in Virginia are being made against Assistant Superintendent Patrick McLaughlin. Heidi Gilman Bennett, a family counseling officer with Albemarle ...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 22, 2026 by Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News and curated for The Atlanta readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Dakota Griffin at Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News. To learn more about how The Atlanta selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more schools coverage from The Atlanta, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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