March 11, 2019
For Immediate Release
CONTACT:
Office of Communications
301-952-6001
communications@pgcps.org
UPPER MARLBORO, Md. — Today, Prince George’s County education leaders applauded state lawmakers for introducing a billion-dollar education budget proposal, the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future.
During a press conference at Rosa L. Parks Elementary School in Hyattsville, Interim CEO Dr. Monica Goldson, Board of Education Chair Dr. Alvin Thornton and County Deputy Chief Administrative Officer for Health, Human Services and Education Dr. George Askew offered support for the bill ahead of the evening March for Our Schools rally in Annapolis. They were joined by a group of elected officials: Board Vice Chair Edward Burroughs, members Pamela Boozer-Strother and Belinda Queen and Kirwan Commission members Sen. Paul Pinsky and Del. Alonzo Washington along with Sen. Malcolm Augustine and Delegates Anne Healey, Julian Ivey and Ron Watson.
Dr. Thornton will speak at tonight’s rally, which is expected to draw several thousand teachers, parents, students and advocates.
“Our school system deserves an investment that reflects the community’s commitment to improving education outcomes for all students throughout Prince George's County Public Schools,” said Dr. Goldson. “By adding resources to improve teacher compensation, expand prekindergarten and provide critical services to the schools in most need, we will position every student for success. The Blueprint for Maryland’s Future begins today.”
“The only way we can guarantee universal citizenship is to make sure that all children have access to equally and adequately funded education,” said Dr. Thornton. “Our children will be better off — our democracy will be better off — when this work is done. Let's make sure that we live up to the constitutional expectation and the umbrella protection for our students.”
“We need to keep the focus on equity and closing the gaps that exist within our educational system,” said Dr. Askew. “If implemented properly, the Blueprint for Maryland’s future will be a great step forward in making sure our children get the funding and the education they rightfully deserve.”
Known as the Kirwan Commission bill, the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future (Senate Bill 1030/House Bill 1413) builds on the work of the Thornton Commission, led by Dr. Thornton. The bill seeks to increase education funding throughout the state by more than $1 billion over the next two fiscal years, with a sizable portion allocated to PGCPS.
The school system would utilize the funds for higher teacher compensation, prekindergarten expansion and “wraparound” school services, such as additional social workers and counselors, extended learning time and vision and dental care.
The bill provisions include:
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