Parent and PGCPS
Conversations for the Engaged Parent and Dedicated Educator
Catherine Bennett Nwosu
Questions from the Parents and PGCPS EduSocial Network
@CatherineNwosu
1. What will you do in regard to the school board and PGCPS?
- I believe the school board should return to a fully elected body that is able to select their own leadership, set measurable goals for PGCPS, and use that to gauge effectiveness of the CEO. While I recognize the need for deep content area experts, I do not believe there should be appointed members on the board. They are not in the communities in the same way and it effectively dilutes the voting authority of elected members. I would argue that we need more involvement from the central office in committee meetings to inform the work that has happened and is in progress. Those people would be able to serve as "content" experts.
2. Will you ask for the resignations of all the appointed members?
- I believe that the next County Executive should be the one to ask for the resignation of the appointed members. I would write to that person to share my thoughts and feedback on the structure. I don't think it is my position to call for the resignations of future colleagues. I can work with anyone if elected and while I personally don't think appointed members should be on the board, that is not my call.
3. Will you replace the BoE chair?
- I do believe it is problematic to have an appointed person as BoE chair. While Dr. Eubanks is someone who works very hard on behalf of students and families, I would want an elected member of the board in that role.
4. Will you ask for Dr. Maxwell's resignation (or ask MSDE to remove him, since neither the county executive nor the school board, actually has the legal authority to fire the school CEO)?
- My view of a CEO's responsibilities is to set a vision and strategic plan to move the school system forward. I recognize that Dr. Maxwell has strong ties to PGCPS and in particular my community in Hyattsville going back to his time at Northwestern. I want him to publicly share the progress, roadblocks, and the course adjustments. While simultaneously holding his highest staff accountable for those metrics and progress. I haven't seen that level of leadership and that concerns me. When I think about performance issues, I think about it as either a skill or will issue. Considering his contract was renewed, I recognize our financial obligation to him if we were to remove him so no, I would not ask for his resignation, however, I would want clear metrics and improvement for his next contract renewal. I would like to work with Board colleagues to push him on his leadership to improve his skill and set measurable goals that are publicly shared for each of his departments.
5. What criteria will you use in filling the appointed positions such as BoE chair position and the CEO of schools?
- In both roles, I look for motivations, values, and then skill. For both roles I am looking for someone who first and foremost puts students first - that has to be their motivation. I want someone who has a good heart and a good mind. Someone that can listen and collaborate with others and think for themselves. I want someone who is personally reflective can give (or receive) private constructive feedback from a place of love and growth. I need someone with a growth mindset in either role because if we simply accept the current situation as fixed we can't move forward.
- For the BoE chair, in addition, the motivation and values listed above, I want someone who can follow through on tasks and set a vision for the collective Board while bringing in more central office participation in committee meetings. I would love someone who has strong relationships with other board colleagues and members of the community.
For CEO role, in addition to the motivation, values listed above, I want someone who can set a clear vision, set goals for all of the teams, out strong systems in place to address some challenges we face as a school system. I want someone to acknowledge our challenges publicly and put a plan in place to address them by bringing a variety of voices to the conversation. I need to see someone that has had some school reform background in a larger system with some experience addressing similar complex issues.
- I believe the school board should return to a fully elected body that is able to select their own leadership, set measurable goals for PGCPS, and use that to gauge effectiveness of the CEO. While I recognize the need for deep content area experts, I do not believe there should be appointed members on the board. They are not in the communities in the same way and it effectively dilutes the voting authority of elected members. I would argue that we need more involvement from the central office in committee meetings to inform the work that has happened and is in progress. Those people would be able to serve as "content" experts.
2. Will you ask for the resignations of all the appointed members?
- I believe that the next County Executive should be the one to ask for the resignation of the appointed members. I would write to that person to share my thoughts and feedback on the structure. I don't think it is my position to call for the resignations of future colleagues. I can work with anyone if elected and while I personally don't think appointed members should be on the board, that is not my call.
3. Will you replace the BoE chair?
- I do believe it is problematic to have an appointed person as BoE chair. While Dr. Eubanks is someone who works very hard on behalf of students and families, I would want an elected member of the board in that role.
4. Will you ask for Dr. Maxwell's resignation (or ask MSDE to remove him, since neither the county executive nor the school board, actually has the legal authority to fire the school CEO)?
- My view of a CEO's responsibilities is to set a vision and strategic plan to move the school system forward. I recognize that Dr. Maxwell has strong ties to PGCPS and in particular my community in Hyattsville going back to his time at Northwestern. I want him to publicly share the progress, roadblocks, and the course adjustments. While simultaneously holding his highest staff accountable for those metrics and progress. I haven't seen that level of leadership and that concerns me. When I think about performance issues, I think about it as either a skill or will issue. Considering his contract was renewed, I recognize our financial obligation to him if we were to remove him so no, I would not ask for his resignation, however, I would want clear metrics and improvement for his next contract renewal. I would like to work with Board colleagues to push him on his leadership to improve his skill and set measurable goals that are publicly shared for each of his departments.
5. What criteria will you use in filling the appointed positions such as BoE chair position and the CEO of schools?
- In both roles, I look for motivations, values, and then skill. For both roles I am looking for someone who first and foremost puts students first - that has to be their motivation. I want someone who has a good heart and a good mind. Someone that can listen and collaborate with others and think for themselves. I want someone who is personally reflective can give (or receive) private constructive feedback from a place of love and growth. I need someone with a growth mindset in either role because if we simply accept the current situation as fixed we can't move forward.
- For the BoE chair, in addition, the motivation and values listed above, I want someone who can follow through on tasks and set a vision for the collective Board while bringing in more central office participation in committee meetings. I would love someone who has strong relationships with other board colleagues and members of the community.
For CEO role, in addition to the motivation, values listed above, I want someone who can set a clear vision, set goals for all of the teams, out strong systems in place to address some challenges we face as a school system. I want someone to acknowledge our challenges publicly and put a plan in place to address them by bringing a variety of voices to the conversation. I need to see someone that has had some school reform background in a larger system with some experience addressing similar complex issues.