SPEAK OUT: Should Baker Have More Control Over PGCPS?

The Prince George’s County Board of Education (BOE) released a statement Monday declaring its opposition to County Executive Rushern Baker’s recent move to gain more control over public schools, saying the proposed legislation falls short of reform and is an unnecessary distraction.

If passed, Baker claims the legislation would give autonomy to the superintendent and more resources to the schools. It would also give him more control of the superintendent hiring process and the proposed $1.7 billion Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS) budget.

But the nine-member elected BOE argues that the bill would reduce public oversight and does not recognize student achievement:

If Mr. Baker truly wants to improve education in Prince George’s County, he should start by helping to promote more parental engagement. He should also help by finding funds to attract and retain our teachers. Our youth should not be used as political gambling chips. They are our hope for tomorrow. This bill undermines the progress our students are making. It places our schools in an untenable situation. Mr. Baker's proposal is an unnecessary distraction that gambles away the future of our children.

Do you think Prince George’s County Public Schools would be better served if Baker had more control? Or do you think the Board of Education should maintain fiscal and management responsibilities? Let us know in the comments.