schools
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 Laredo News Editorial Desk · Based on reporting by Dakota Griffin , KGNS — Sitewide
· 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 ...
Story provenance No corrections
Summary created by Laredo News Editorial Desk — automated, rule-governed Original reporting Dakota Griffin, KGNS — Sitewide 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 Laredo News
In Laredo, the allegations against Assistant Superintendent Patrick McLaughlin in Virginia's Albemarle County Public Schools serve as a stark reminder for local school administrators to reexamine their own policies and procedures regarding staff conduct and harassment. The claims of sexual harassment and intimidation made against McLaughlin highlight the need for a thorough review of power dynamics within school districts. As Laredo's own school district continues to navigate issues of equity and inclusion, the community must remain vigilant in ensuring that all students and staff feel safe and supported. The fact that the alleged behavior in Virginia was allowed to persist for years raises questions about the effectiveness of reporting mechanisms and the willingness of administrators to address sensitive issues. Laredo's school leaders would do well to study this case and consider how they can foster a culture of respect and accountability within their own district.
About this story
Original reporting by KGNS — Sitewide . Laredo News 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 KGNS — Sitewide . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: schools ·
Published: July 22, 2026 ·
Source: KGNS — Sitewide ·
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 KGNS — Sitewide and curated for Laredo News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Dakota Griffin at KGNS — Sitewide. To learn more about how Laredo News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more schools coverage from Laredo News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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