Prince George’s County officials traveled to Annapolis last week to fight for funds from the Board of Public Works to help some of its needy schools.
County Schools Superintendent William Hite, Ed.D, board of education Chairwoman Verjeana Jacobs, and County Executive Rushern Baker all testified before Gov. Martin O’Malley, state Comptroller Peter Franchot, Treasurer Nancy Kopp and the rest of the board to show the county’s commitment to improving the educational environment of all its students.
“The first year of the administration we really focused on economic development and really stabilizing the government in the county,” Baker said. “In the second year and throughout the rest of my administration we’re going to focus on education and I was pleased to hear the governor’s commitment to construction. That is an area I really think Prince George’s County can make a mark.”
O’Malley has touted his willingness and record commitment to school construction funds throughout the state of Maryland.
Jacobs wanted to assure state officials that any funds the county does receive would be spent wisely and told Franchot and Kopp that the board of education takes the responsibility of how it spends state funds seriously. Going further Jacobs testified to the county closing under-enrolled schools.
“It’s also important to note that based on your recommendations to us the board has been very diligent about making sure the funds that you do give to us are efficiently and effectively spent,” Jacobs said. “To that end for the past few years we have been consolidating where necessary. Our boundary changes have not been without controversy, but we believe that Superintendent Hite has done an outstanding job in making recommendations to the board on how best to use our facilities to make sure the dollars that you give us are efficiently used.”
“That project is designed in a unique fashion so that the common spaces can support more students in the event that more students move into that area,” Hite said. “That will allow us to go out and up, if you will, if it is necessary in the future.”
Hite was specific about what the county school system needs. Overall the county is asking for $57.4 million in school construction funding with the majority of going toward upgrading existing schools.
Among the schools slated to receive funding are Oxon Hill High, Fairmont Heights High, Avalon Elementary, Henry Ferguson Elementary, and Eugene Burroughs Middle.
In particular, Hite addressed a question about the renovation at Oxon Hill where questions arose about whether it would be big enough to fill an increase in population.
“In Prince George’s County we share your concern for providing safe, healthy and high-performing facilities that provide enriched environments that are conducive to learning,” Hite said. “So maintaining our school buildings in a state of good repair and operating them in a safe manner is one of our highest priorities.”
