Tag: board of education

Parent Calls for Improvement Plan Instead of $120k Survey

Leave a comment
Lori Morrow presented a version of this testimony during the public comment portion of the May 12th Board of Education Meeting. The views expressed are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Prince George’s County Advocates for Better Schools.

by Lori Morrow

A few weeks ago, I watched the April 28th Board of Education meeting at home and
was surprised to hear about a $120,000 survey to determine community
perceptions of PGCPS. I agree with comments made by some board members that
night: We already know many of the negative perceptions that persist from existing surveys.

IMG_0510A few months ago, I noticed each of the school pages on the PGCPS website includes a link to the 2013 School Climate Survey, as well as a note indicating the next biannual survey would be published in Fall 2015. I recall getting an email to fill out the survey last June, and know that my son participated in a survey this school year.

I’ve been attempting to get a copy of this climate survey report and, after more than two months and many emails, I was finally able to access a copy of the report this very morning from a helpful staff member in the Research and Evaluation Department. I was particularly interested in the report for my son’s middle school because of comments I regularly hear from him. While a quick comparison with the 2013 report does show some improvement for the school, a number of areas are rather disappointing.

For example:

  •  31% of Parents disagree with the statement that they are proud to send their
    child to this school
  • 31% of Parents do not believe that teachers will provide students individual
    attention if needed.
  • 44% of Students disagree with the statement that they feel safe in school.
  • 61% of Students do not believe that students respect the authority of
    teachers at this school.
  • 54% of Students do not feel like they are an important part of their school
    community.

Continue reading →

Join Effort to Keep School Board Elections Nonpartisan

Leave a comment

by Tommi Makila

The views expressed are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Prince George’s County Advocates for Better Schools.

By law, Maryland school boards are to be nonpartisan. With the reorganization of the Prince George’s County Public Schools governance structure in 2013, the Board of Education was stripped of much of its power. However, this takeover of the school system has not been enough for the political establishment. Our partisan elected officials are shamelessly meddling in the school board elections through their endorsements and slates, making these elections “nonpartisan” in name only.

Politicization of the school system and the school board is not in the best interest of our students. In a well-governed school system, decision-makers feel more accountable to voters than to the political establishment and its agenda. But party endorsements of school board candidates undermine this principle, shifting the balance of power away from the voter and toward the party establishment.

To combat this corrosive influence, a group of concerned citizens is launching an effort: the “Alliance for Nonpartisan School Board Elections.” Our goal is to educate residents about the issue and mobilize advocacy efforts. We call for political parties to keep school board elections nonpartisan by refraining from endorsing Board of Education candidates or putting them on party slates and sample ballots. As the first step for the Alliance, we have established a Facebook group as a way of connecting interested individuals with each other. If this is an issue you care about, please join the group! You can find it through this link or by searching for “Alliance for Nonpartisan School Board Elections” on Facebook.

Continue reading →

Q & A with K. Alexander Wallace, District 7 Board of Education Candidate

1 Comment

img_0010_0This is part of a series of interviews with PGCPS Board of Education candidates. K. Alexander Wallace was appointed to the Board of Education in November 2015 and is one of two candidates from District 7 (see district map here) whose names will be on the ballot in the general election. Mr. Wallace answered questions generated by members of Prince George’s County Advocates for Better Schools. 

Prince George’s County Advocates for Better Schools does not endorse or oppose Board of Education candidates.

Tell us about your background and why you are running for the Board of Education.

In the spring of 2015, I went to the Board of Elections and filed for my candidacy to run for the District 7 seat on the Board of Education for Prince George’s County, a county that I was born and raised in. In November of 2015, the County Executive appointed me to represent District 7 and the County Council voted to affirm my confirmation, 9-0. I am proud to say that I currently represent District 7, a district where I was born and a district where I graduated.

I am running to remain on the Board of Education because I have the necessary experience it takes to fulfill the duties of a Board member. The Board is required to increase academic achievement, engage the families and communities, approve educational policies and procedures, and to oversee the nearly $2 billion budget. Throughout my nearly 15 years of combined education policy, community engagement, and grassroots advocacy experience, I have had the honor of working in the Maryland General Assembly and on Capitol Hill where I helped advocate for better educational polices and equitable funding and resources for children of color and children living in poverty – many of whom live in District 7.

I am a product of the county school system, K-12 (Patuxent Elementary, Gwynn Park Middle, Frederick Douglass High, Dr. Henry A. Wise, Jr. High). I furthered my education at Towson University (Undergraduate) and the University of Baltimore (Graduate) where I spent countless years working with the University System of Maryland, the Maryland Higher Education Commission, and the Maryland Youth Advisory Council to advocate for pathways to higher education for Maryland’s youth by making sure education was affordable, accessible, and of high quality.

What are your top three goals for PGCPS, and how do you plan to accomplish them if elected?

Continue reading →

Q & A with Stephanie Hinton, District 8 Board of Education Candidate

1 Comment
20160227 Stephanie Hinton Portrait

Photo © David Sachs / Studio 20Seven Photography

This is part of a series of interviews with PGCPS Board of Education candidates. Stephanie Hinton is one of three candidates from District 8 (see district map here) whose names will be on the ballot in the April 26th primary election. Ms. Hinton answered questions generated by members of Prince George’s County Advocates for Better Schools. 

Prince George’s County Advocates for Better Schools does not endorse or oppose Board of Education candidates.

Tell us about your background and why you are running for the Board of Education.

I am an educator with over 20 years of experience. I currently teach 34 fifth graders in southern Prince George’s County. I am the coordinator for the STEAM Robotics after-school program, as well as, the science chairperson. I also work as a student-parent advocate, with a focus in special education. I have partnered with a local church to form an after-school tutoring program. I am an original member of the My Brother’s Keeper organization in Prince George’s County.

I decided to run for the Board of Education because of my Magnificent 34. My class had a spell of incidents occur in which I had to fight for them. At one point, it seemed as if something happened weekly. Then, there was a major issue and I had to write to Dr. Maxwell’s office to handle it. It was at that point, that someone suggested I run for the Board of Education, so that I could champion for the rest of the students in this county the way I do for my own students.

Every Prince Georgian deserves the best education this county has to offer. I want to bring that to the students of District 8, and the rest of the county as a whole.

What are your top three goals for PGCPS, and how do you plan to accomplish them if elected?

I created an 8 point path that I feel with assist with bringing equality to District 8. Although all are important, I feel that the following three should definitely be the focus for making District 8 great, along with all of Prince George’s County.

  • Reduce class sizes
  • Create a parent resource center in southern Prince George’s County
  • Institute an anonymous tip line for teachers

I believe the way to accomplish all of my points is through community action. The citizens of District 8, and the rest of the county, have to join together to ensure that our voices are heard. We have to advocate for our students, educators, and community as a whole. If parents have a student in a class of 34, they must make calls daily, and show up to meetings to discuss their displeasure. To travel up to an hour and a half to two hours for assistance is utterly ridiculous.

Continue reading →

Q & A with Carlton Carter, District 8 Board of Education Candidate

Leave a comment

pictureThis is part of a series of interviews with PGCPS Board of Education candidates. Carlton Carter is one of three candidates from District 8 (see district map here) whose names will be on the ballot in the April 26th primary election. Mr. Carter answered questions generated by members of Prince George’s County Advocates for Better Schools. 

Prince George’s County Advocates for Better Schools does not endorse or oppose any candidate for the Board of Education.

Tell us about your background and why you are running for the Board of Education.

Over 25 years of proven education experience as Senior Turnaround Consultant, High School and Middle School Principal; Assistant Principal and Teacher.

I am running for School Board because Prince Georges County is consistently one of the lowest academic performing in the State of Maryland, and they need someone such as me with a proven track record of successfully improving schools.

M.A. Bowie State University: Major: Administration/Supervision

Ed.D NorthCentral University: Major: Educational Leadership B.S.- University of Maryland

Eastern Shore: Major: Technology Education

What are your top three goals for PGCPS, and how do you plan to accomplish them if elected?

Top 3 priorities are the following:

1. Raise the capacity of District, Leaders, Principals, and Teachers to increase academic rigor in all classrooms.

2. Create District wide programs to provide enrichment and Remediation to prepare students for college and careers.

3. Build partnerships with families to boost parental involvement in all schools.

What experience do you have working with parents or parent organizations, and how will you increase parent engagement with the system?

I have extensive experience working with parents. As principal of Ernest Just Middle School, the PTSA and I created a Saturday School focusing on strengthening students’ Math skills. The Saturday School had an enrollment of 500 students and was so popular that other parents from other communities wanted to participate.

Continue reading →

Q & A with Robert Johnson, District 5 Board of Education Candidate

2 Comments

p11893ta105407_5Robert Johnson is one of four candidates from District 5 (see district map here) whose names will be on the ballot in the April 26th primary election. Mr. Johnson answered questions generated by members of Prince George’s County Advocates for Better Schools. 

Prince George’s County Advocates for Better Schools does not endorse or oppose any candidate for the Board of Education.

Tell us about your background and why you are running for the Board of Education.

I have been a resident of Prince George’s County since 1994. I live in the city of Bowie with my wife and two daughters. Currently I serve as Campus Director at ITT Technical College in Springfield, VA. Previously I have served as a classroom teacher in Prince George’s county, administrator, principal, and various leadership positions in higher education for over 16 years. I have earned a certificate of completion of SUPES Academy Chicago with a focus on Urban School Leadership, Education Policy and Administration. I hold an advanced Graduate certificate in Educational Leadership and Supervision from the University of the District of Columbia, Masters of Education degree in Special Education at Bowie State University, and a Bachelors of Arts degree at State University of New York at Albany. However even with all my degrees in education, I realize it is now time to serve the community of which I have been a long time resident. I truly believe Prince Georges County Public Schools can accomplish great things in education with the right type of leadership. I am a new candidate, with new ideas, new direction and strong leadership.

What are your top three goals for PGCPS, and how do you plan to accomplish them if elected?

As candidate for District 5 School Board Member I am looking to accomplish many goals, however my top three goals are:

  1. Reduce classroom size
  2. Make our schools safer
  3. Improve college acceptance rates for all students

What experience do you have working with parents or parent organizations, and how will you increase parent engagement with the system? 

Continue reading →

Q & A with Cheryl Landis, District 5 Board of Education Candidate

Leave a comment

image_cherylLandisThis is part of a series of interviews with PGCPS Board of Education candidates. Cheryl Landis is one of four candidates from District 5 (see district map here) whose names will be on the ballot in the April 26th primary election. Ms. Landis answered questions generated by members of Prince George’s County Advocates for Better Schools. 

Prince George’s County Advocates for Better Schools does not endorse or oppose any candidate for the Board of Education.

Tell us about your background and why you are running for the Board of Education.

I made the decision over ten years ago that upon my retirement from Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS), I would transition to an elected member of the Board of Education. On November 1, 2016, I will retire from PGCPS with 27-years of uninterrupted service. Why am I running for the Board of Education? It is my PASSION and my PURPOSE. Each and every step that I have taken since my initial employment with PGCPS in 1989 has successfully prepared me for the position I seek as an elected member of the Board of Education. I am prepared and committed to serving and supporting outstanding educational outcomes for our students.

37 years 1979-present Prince George’s County volunteer, community organizer, activist, servant leader
27 yrs

  • 17 yrs
  • 10 yrs
  • 06 yrs
 1989-present

  • 1989-2006
  • 2006-present
  • 2010-present
 Prince George’s County Public Schools’ Employee

  • Executive Administrative Officer, Board of Education
  • Strategic Business Partnerships Specialist
  • Administrator, Excellence in Education Foundation for PGCPS, Inc.
10 years 2006-present Member, Prince George’s County Democratic Central Committee, Chair (2014-present)
10 years 2014-present Chair, Education/Workforce Development Committee, Prince George’s Chamber of Commerce

What are your top three goals for PGCPS, and how do you plan to accomplish them, if elected?

I have worked for 37 years as a servant leader committed to improving the quality of life for all Prince Georgians. The past 27 years has been in public education, working with numerous boards of education, both elected and appointed. For 17 years (1989-2006), I was the Executive Administrative Officer to the very same Board of Education to which I seek election. And, for the past 10 years (2006-present), I serve as the school system’s Strategic Business Partnerships Specialist. My entire tenure with PGCPS is unique in and of itself as I have worked in only two (2) critical positions, both of which have successfully prepared me to serve as an elected member of the Board of Education. Because of my many years of service, I have developed the intellectual capacity that is needed to be an “effective” Board Member. I understand the critical importance of being collaborative and developing relationships with all stakeholders. This has given me a very unique lens through which I will serve the students, parents, and families.

Continue reading →

Q & A with Jeana Jacobs, District 5 Board of Education Candidate

Leave a comment

Jeana Jacobs Turquoise Standing1This is part of a series of interviews with PGCPS Board of Education candidates. Verjeana Jacobs is running for re-election to the Board as one of four candidates from District 5 (see district map here) whose names will be on the ballot in the April 26th primary election. Ms. Jacobs answered questions generated by members of Prince George’s County Advocates for Better Schools. Leading up to the election, we will publish responses from other candidates as well.

Prince George’s County Advocates for Better Schools does not endorse or oppose any candidate for the Board of Education.

Tell us about your background and why you are running for the Board of Education.

I am an Attorney, Licensed Consultant by Maryland Nonprofits Standards for Excellence Institute, and trained Mediator by the American Arbitration Association. I have over 25 years in public service working with multiple complex bureaucracies including non-profit organizations, government/quasi-government agencies, urban education systems and labor unions. Working with diverse stakeholders, I support group identification of a shared agenda and always seize opportunities to build respect and trust. In various leadership roles whether as Chair of one of the largest school districts (Prince George’s County), in the United States for almost six years, President of the Maryland Association of Boards of Education, or as Vice Chair of the National School Boards’ Council of Urban Boards of Education, I have been effective in bringing divergent stakeholders to the table to tackle contentious, yet necessary issues with the focus on improving the quality of education.

I am running for re-election to continue to strongly advocate on behalf of students, parents, teachers and others who work tirelessly with our students. There is still work to do to continue to fight to reduce overcrowded classrooms, ensure services for our special needs students, and help to empower parents be the best advocates for their children. This is my life’s work. I care deeply about student success. 

What are your top three goals for PGCPS, and how do you plan to accomplish them if elected?

My goals for the next term are to (1) Ensure accountability of student based budgeting so that schools get their fair share of the nearly $1.8 billion dollar budget allocated for the school district; (2) Continue to fight for Pre-Kindergarten for ALL students; (3) Continuous improvement of neighborhood schools, to include special education services

I will accomplish these goals through joint community effort. I will continue to find ways to empower families to be the best advocates developing strategies to resolve problems and achieve results – one issue at a time. In addition, I will continue to do the work necessary to be an effective board member – engage stakeholders at all levels, and collaborate with my board colleagues and the CEO through policy development and best practices.

What experience do you have working with parents or parent organizations, and how will you increase parent engagement with the system?

Continue reading →

HB 1107: Putting Last Night’s Five-Hour Board Meeting into Context

1 Comment

by Lori Morrow

Last night, I attended the PGCPS Board of Education Meeting to hear the members vote on the CEO’s Proposed Operating Budget. The five-hour meeting provided an interesting glimpse into our local county politics. (Click to watch Part 1 and Part 2 of the video of the meeting.) Nearly two hours of the meeting were spent listening to students, parents and community members discuss the impact of recommended school closures and consolidations in southern Prince George’s County. Having faced a similar situation in my Tulip Grove Elementary School neighborhood years ago, I empathize with those families and understand how frustrating the uncertainty can be. As yet, no final decisions on school closures have been made.

A comment I heard multiple times was that the Board Members are elected by us.  However, since House Bill 1107 passed in the 2013 Maryland legislative session, that is not entirely true. HB 1107 changed the structure of the Board of Education and made changes to the position of chief executive officer, formerly known as superintendent of schools. The impact of those changes was evident last night.

Nine of our Board of Education members are elected, and four are appointed by the County Executive.  Moreover, the Board needs a 2/3 majority to override a decision of the CEO, other than a personnel decision. HB1107 also transferred many powers directly to the CEO, appointed by the County Executive.  Under the new law, the PGCPS Board of Education is charged with only two responsibilities: 1. Raise the level of academic achievement of the students in the Prince George’s County Public School System; and 2. Raise the level of engagement of parents, students, and community as a whole. Other responsibilities, including school closures, belong solely to the Chief Executive Officer. It is an important distinction, as the voter’s influence in choosing the CEO comes from our election of the County Executive rather than the Board of Education.

Continue reading →

Board Votes to Postpone Decision on Boundary Changes

Leave a comment

by Genevieve Demos Kelley

It was standing room only at last night’s public hearing on the proposed boundary changes, school closings, and grade reorganizations. At three and a half hours, the meeting lasted so long that video of the proceedings was posted in two separate parts on PGCPS’s Youtube channel.

You may watch Part 1 here (the first three hours) and Part 2 (the last thirty minutes) here.

After nearly two hours of testimony, Board Member Verjeana Jacobs (District 5) made a motion to postpone the voting on the boundary changes — originally scheduled for February 25th — until this time next year. (Watch Ms. Jacobs’s motion and the ensuing discussion beginning at 1:51 in Part 1 of the video.) The motion was met with loud, sustained applause from the audience, with many in the crowd rising from their seats. Though opposed by Board Chair Segun Eubanks, the motion carried with a near-consensus. The item appears to have been removed from the agenda for the February 25th meeting. After the vote on the motion to postpone the meeting, public testimony continued for the next one and a half hours.