$290K Contract Approved for PGCPS CEO

At an emergency meeting on Tuesday evening, the Prince George's County Board of Education unanimously approved a contract with newly appointed schools CEO Kevin Maxwell.

Specific details of the contract have not yet been made public, but according to board Chair Segun Eubanks, Maxwell will be earning a base salary of $290,000 plus benefits. 

"It is a standard four year contract, which is what we are legally obligated to give in the state of Maryland," said Eubanks in an interview after the vote. "We of course negotiated this contract in a way that he could start as soon as possible."

Eubanks said that there were no substantive changes made to the contract first offered for negotiation when Maxwell was recruited for the new schools top spot.

According to Eubanks, Maxwell's first day is set for August 1.  

David Cahn, with the group Citizens for an Elected Board, which has advocated against the recent reforms which have put more power over the school system into the hands of the county executive, criticized the lack of a contract for the public to review before the meeting. 

"That's a public document, it was not on Board Docs, it was not available for the public to comment on it," said Cahn during public comment at Tuesday's meeting. "It's a matter of transparency that is missing from this board and I think that's a mistake."

Eubanks disagreed, noting that there is no obligation to disclose the details of a negotiation in progress.

"Until we voted just now, there was no contract to share," said Eubanks. "It was a confidential negotiation between Dr. Maxwell and the board…and once Dr. Maxwell signs it and the board signs it, it will be made completely public."