2 Questions
Former Board of Education member and Community Activist
Rosalind Johnson
Former Board of Education member and Community Activist Rosalind Johnson Answers 2 Questions about the current structure of Prince George’s County Public Schools.
FOTRP: Has the new structure been given a fair chance? What if the failures taken place in the system are not structural failures; but those of poor leaders and their ineffective management? Should a possible solution (HB1107) to school management be thrown out because of poor hiring?
Rosalind: Under the LAW: HB1107, the Board of Education no longer has ANY authority. Prior to the law, the BOE had the authority to oversee the governance of the Superintendent whose responsibility it was to ensure that all Board policies were adhered to by ALL employees and that the Superintendent's oversight of HR ensured that all were VETTED and background checks on ALL potential employees were completed.
If there were delayed reports from the background checks, the employees were “temporary/provisional” to ensure that if there were negative alerts, then those employee were let go IMMEDIATELY. The provisional employee was overseen and evaluated and provided with the evaluations. The Board of Education had a Board Liaison to Human Resources and the Liaison reported to the entire Board, thus the Board always knew of any ALERTS from background checks and employee terminations due to violations. The Board of Education was informed and mandated the Superintendent provide information about the quality of the work of being performed Human Resources. WHEN, the Board had ANY questions, the Superintendent HAD NO CHOICE TO WITHHOLD ANY INFORMATION! Under HB1107, ONLY the CEO has the authority to interface with ANY division in PGCPS. Under HB1107, a 2/3 majority of the Board is required to override the CEO on ANY matters within or about PGCPS. The Appointed Chairman decides whether a Board Member can inquire about ANY issues. The way that PGCPS IS OPERATED NOW, makes sure Board Members are less informed, even though the Board has NO authority to make decisions.
FOTRP: What do you say to those that suggest the abuse of children is not one of BOE Governance or its structure, but is more a failure to assess individuals with bad intentions prior to allowing them to work with children?
Rosalind: The citizens of Prince George’s are stunned by what is happening to their school system. THEY cannot understand how this “reconfigured Board of Education could possibly operate so differently from how they have understood for years. The citizens are angered by the nearly weekly stories about the negative issues that have been so devastating. The citizens have difficulty believing that what has been happening with PGCPS is a “direct” result of the takeover of PGCPS and that County Executive. RUSHERN BAKER IS RESPONSIBLE! Thus, a rally at the County Administration Building will make the County Executive know that his takeover and Appointments have done grave HARM! The voice of citizen and demonstrations MAKE POSITIVE CHANGE! The time has come to REPEAL HB 1107.
FOTRP: Has the new structure been given a fair chance? What if the failures taken place in the system are not structural failures; but those of poor leaders and their ineffective management? Should a possible solution (HB1107) to school management be thrown out because of poor hiring?
Rosalind: Under the LAW: HB1107, the Board of Education no longer has ANY authority. Prior to the law, the BOE had the authority to oversee the governance of the Superintendent whose responsibility it was to ensure that all Board policies were adhered to by ALL employees and that the Superintendent's oversight of HR ensured that all were VETTED and background checks on ALL potential employees were completed.
If there were delayed reports from the background checks, the employees were “temporary/provisional” to ensure that if there were negative alerts, then those employee were let go IMMEDIATELY. The provisional employee was overseen and evaluated and provided with the evaluations. The Board of Education had a Board Liaison to Human Resources and the Liaison reported to the entire Board, thus the Board always knew of any ALERTS from background checks and employee terminations due to violations. The Board of Education was informed and mandated the Superintendent provide information about the quality of the work of being performed Human Resources. WHEN, the Board had ANY questions, the Superintendent HAD NO CHOICE TO WITHHOLD ANY INFORMATION! Under HB1107, ONLY the CEO has the authority to interface with ANY division in PGCPS. Under HB1107, a 2/3 majority of the Board is required to override the CEO on ANY matters within or about PGCPS. The Appointed Chairman decides whether a Board Member can inquire about ANY issues. The way that PGCPS IS OPERATED NOW, makes sure Board Members are less informed, even though the Board has NO authority to make decisions.
FOTRP: What do you say to those that suggest the abuse of children is not one of BOE Governance or its structure, but is more a failure to assess individuals with bad intentions prior to allowing them to work with children?
Rosalind: The citizens of Prince George’s are stunned by what is happening to their school system. THEY cannot understand how this “reconfigured Board of Education could possibly operate so differently from how they have understood for years. The citizens are angered by the nearly weekly stories about the negative issues that have been so devastating. The citizens have difficulty believing that what has been happening with PGCPS is a “direct” result of the takeover of PGCPS and that County Executive. RUSHERN BAKER IS RESPONSIBLE! Thus, a rally at the County Administration Building will make the County Executive know that his takeover and Appointments have done grave HARM! The voice of citizen and demonstrations MAKE POSITIVE CHANGE! The time has come to REPEAL HB 1107.