Schools

Baker Hosts Telephone Town Hall To Discuss Proposed School Takeover

The Prince George's County executive will discuss his plan with county residents Tuesday.

As the debate between Prince George's County Executive Rushern Baker and the school board about his proposal to take control of Prince George's County Public Schools is heating up, Baker is set to address the public in a telephone town hall Tuesday night.

Baker and members of the school board testified in front of the Prince George's delegation about his proposal for Integrated School Governance of Prince George’s County Public Schools over the weekend. However, both parties remain at odds.

Baker's proposal details can be found on the county executive's website.

In his testimony, Baker said there's a "dire" need for the county to end its below average school system performance and described how his proposal would improve school operations.

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Baker tweeted Monday, "Under proposal, CEX appoints education expert to BOE, Council appoints from business community, and a parent rep from PTA."

The proposal has been compared to that of former DC Mayor Adrian Fenty.

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"I don't believe this reform will eliminate our challenges. I do believe that without it, meeting them will be difficult," Baker wrote in a press release to residents. "Fixing education requires many strategies, but certainly it starts with this: every dollar we have must be used efficiently and every resource we have must reach our students. Dividing our government into "County" versus "school" systems has prevented this, so we must realign and unite them. It is a simple but profound necessity."

School Board Chair Verjeana M. Jacobs also addressed the delegation and told them she tried to discuss the proposal with Baker but to no avail, according to a PGCPS press release.

"We had a very frank, direct, and sometimes vigorous discussion. We talked about his motivations for submitting this legislation so late in the legislative session," Jacobs said. "I offered to try to address his concerns, without legislation, perhaps through a memorandum of understanding. He said 'No', that he must have control over the Superintendent of Schools through legislation."

Residents can take part in the telephone town hall by emailing the Office of County Executive at countyexecutive@co.pg.md.us by 11 a.m. on Tuesday. Use “Telephone Town Hall” in subject line and include your name, address, and a landline phone number where you can be reached at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday to participate in the call. Residents must email the executive's office, even if they only want to listen in.

Prince George’s County Delegation Chair Jolene Ivey has asked that the public send feedback on the proposal to the delegation. Testimony should be sent to the delegation's office by email at pg2@mlis.state.md.us by March 27, 2013.

More information about County Executive Baker’s proposal on Integrated School Governance of PGCPS, Key Legislative Aspects, Responsibilities of Key Actors, and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), can be found at http://www.princegeorgescountymd.gov. Additionally, any citizens with concerns, comments, or feedback to this proposal are encouraged to email countyexecutive@co.pg.md.us or call 3-1-1.

The issue has created some debate between residents as well. See what other Prince George's County residents said on Patch and leave your feedback as well.


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