@tvw1357 I want to thank Community Advocate Tonya Wingfield for agreeing to discuss the state of education in Prince George's County, Maryland. All questions presented during our interview are provided by residents of Prince George's County, Maryland.
What do you say to members of the community that believe the recent BOE sessions have been an embarrassment and that the entire BOE should be replaced?
Tonya Wingfield: I say to the community and our elected leaders, now is not the time to sit on the sideline and murmur – get involved. I did not take any one-person word when the board issues became public. I took the time to investigate for myself. I was deeply disappointed with the elected Board members that have engaged in actions that violate Board bylaws and laws because I was once a supporter of these members.
Should the Board of Education be replaced? Because these elected members are now doubling down instead of correcting their actions and the appointed members that sit in silence, the public is being subjected to a carnival show at Board meetings, which is not a wise use of our tax dollars. Our state legislators are being left with no other choice but to restructure the Board.
In your opinion, what needs to happen for the taxpayers of Prince George's County to trust the BOE can govern the 2nd largest school district in Maryland?
Tonya Wingfield: We must learn to vote smarter. Seeing the direction of the BOE since Dr. Thornton announced his resignation had demonstrated the danger of entrusting our system into the hands of novices. When Board members responsible for the oversight of a multi-billion budget do not understand the purpose and authority of Purchasing (Procurement) – we are treading into dangerous waters. At this point, these members have demonstrated they have no respect for authority and will not operate within the boundaries of the law or board policies. As such, the legislators have no other choice but to restructure the Board.
Do you support the use of Critical Race Theory as a framework to bring attention to race and racism in education, and is there a place for it in PGCPS?
Tonya Wingfield: The Critical Race Theory highlights an essential truth about institutional racism and probably should be considered a Theorem instead of a Theory. However, since it is considered a theory, there is room for interpretation which means after revisions to make it “textbook ready,” the core message will be lost.
That considered, I think hosting learning sessions through community groups will better serve minorities, so they are educated on this important information and learn how to avoid the traps of institutional racism. There are groups like Kiamsha Youth Empowerment Organization, founded by the Honorable Dorothy Bailey, National Alliance of Faith and Justice (NAFJ) – Pen or Pencil Movement and Association for the Study of African American Life and History, Inc. (ASALH) that have delivered this education for over two decades.
Would your support the return to a fully elected Board of Education?
Tonya Wingfield: I hope someday we can return to a fully elected board; however, I do not foresee that in the immediate future. Of all my years engaged with PGCPS, this hybrid body has been the worst failed experiment. I know some will not agree. Still, when Board members are intentionally violating board policies and state law to undermine the authority delegated to the positions of the officers of the Board of Education (Chair, Vice-Chair, and CEO), this is not a difference in opinions. It is a coup.
Also, to correct the misinformation regarding how to return to a fully elected board. HB1107 is law, and therefore it will take both the Senate and House voting to repeal it. The County Executive can support returning to an elected Board, but it will take our state legislators making the argument on our behalf. And again, the recent conduct of elected board members has made it hard for our legislators to win that argument.
What do you say to educators who have expressed concern that too many of the Board of Education members have never taught in a classroom of any kind?
Tonya Wingfield: That would be my concern if we spoke of the CEO or any senior administrative staff member making curriculum decisions. I do not think that applies to Board members. In fact, based on our current board makeup, that has proven to be counterproductive as these members continue to confuse their role as board members. Their job is not to create programs and then direct the CEO to implement them but to ensure that the programs adopted by PGCPS meet sound academic standards. Again, the problem is not that there are educators that have not taught in a classroom on the board, but educators that are using the board to make a name for themselves as renowned educators of change.
Is there a need for change to the Science of Reading Workgroup?
Tonya Wingfield: Science of Reading Work Group highlights an important issue; however, the proposed work of this group is an action the Board can require of the CEO to demonstrate if it exists in PGCPS’ current curriculum. During a Board discussion, the CEO offered to hold a work session with the Board to show what the Administration is currently doing. The Board could make recommendations, if needed, for improvements, which the Board ignored. Additionally, I have seen a pattern of Board members presenting programs, voting to approve their program, and then using that approved action to solicit funds from the public.
Tonya founded Nehemiah's Vision, Inc. in 2005 after seeing a need for training and advocacy services that support the roles parents and community leaders play in a child's education.Her passion for education led her to serve on the PTA where she held the positions of Legislative Chair, Education Chair, Vice President and President. She held the first "Meet the Candidates" forum at her local elementary school and "Feeder Night" which gave 6th parents the opportunity to visit their child's middle school and learn about their programs and meet the staff prior to the beginning of the school year. Ms. Wingfield assisted parents by acting as a non-legal advocate in IEP and 504 meetings for students that require special accommodations in order to access the school curriculum. She has worked closely with members of the Board of Education where she developed and conducted parent workshops centered around parental involvement as well as sitting on several committees to include School Accountability and Testing, Master Plan and Special Education from 1994-2017.
What do you say to members of the community that believe the recent BOE sessions have been an embarrassment and that the entire BOE should be replaced?
Tonya Wingfield: I say to the community and our elected leaders, now is not the time to sit on the sideline and murmur – get involved. I did not take any one-person word when the board issues became public. I took the time to investigate for myself. I was deeply disappointed with the elected Board members that have engaged in actions that violate Board bylaws and laws because I was once a supporter of these members.
Should the Board of Education be replaced? Because these elected members are now doubling down instead of correcting their actions and the appointed members that sit in silence, the public is being subjected to a carnival show at Board meetings, which is not a wise use of our tax dollars. Our state legislators are being left with no other choice but to restructure the Board.
In your opinion, what needs to happen for the taxpayers of Prince George's County to trust the BOE can govern the 2nd largest school district in Maryland?
Tonya Wingfield: We must learn to vote smarter. Seeing the direction of the BOE since Dr. Thornton announced his resignation had demonstrated the danger of entrusting our system into the hands of novices. When Board members responsible for the oversight of a multi-billion budget do not understand the purpose and authority of Purchasing (Procurement) – we are treading into dangerous waters. At this point, these members have demonstrated they have no respect for authority and will not operate within the boundaries of the law or board policies. As such, the legislators have no other choice but to restructure the Board.
Do you support the use of Critical Race Theory as a framework to bring attention to race and racism in education, and is there a place for it in PGCPS?
Tonya Wingfield: The Critical Race Theory highlights an essential truth about institutional racism and probably should be considered a Theorem instead of a Theory. However, since it is considered a theory, there is room for interpretation which means after revisions to make it “textbook ready,” the core message will be lost.
That considered, I think hosting learning sessions through community groups will better serve minorities, so they are educated on this important information and learn how to avoid the traps of institutional racism. There are groups like Kiamsha Youth Empowerment Organization, founded by the Honorable Dorothy Bailey, National Alliance of Faith and Justice (NAFJ) – Pen or Pencil Movement and Association for the Study of African American Life and History, Inc. (ASALH) that have delivered this education for over two decades.
Would your support the return to a fully elected Board of Education?
Tonya Wingfield: I hope someday we can return to a fully elected board; however, I do not foresee that in the immediate future. Of all my years engaged with PGCPS, this hybrid body has been the worst failed experiment. I know some will not agree. Still, when Board members are intentionally violating board policies and state law to undermine the authority delegated to the positions of the officers of the Board of Education (Chair, Vice-Chair, and CEO), this is not a difference in opinions. It is a coup.
Also, to correct the misinformation regarding how to return to a fully elected board. HB1107 is law, and therefore it will take both the Senate and House voting to repeal it. The County Executive can support returning to an elected Board, but it will take our state legislators making the argument on our behalf. And again, the recent conduct of elected board members has made it hard for our legislators to win that argument.
What do you say to educators who have expressed concern that too many of the Board of Education members have never taught in a classroom of any kind?
Tonya Wingfield: That would be my concern if we spoke of the CEO or any senior administrative staff member making curriculum decisions. I do not think that applies to Board members. In fact, based on our current board makeup, that has proven to be counterproductive as these members continue to confuse their role as board members. Their job is not to create programs and then direct the CEO to implement them but to ensure that the programs adopted by PGCPS meet sound academic standards. Again, the problem is not that there are educators that have not taught in a classroom on the board, but educators that are using the board to make a name for themselves as renowned educators of change.
Is there a need for change to the Science of Reading Workgroup?
Tonya Wingfield: Science of Reading Work Group highlights an important issue; however, the proposed work of this group is an action the Board can require of the CEO to demonstrate if it exists in PGCPS’ current curriculum. During a Board discussion, the CEO offered to hold a work session with the Board to show what the Administration is currently doing. The Board could make recommendations, if needed, for improvements, which the Board ignored. Additionally, I have seen a pattern of Board members presenting programs, voting to approve their program, and then using that approved action to solicit funds from the public.
Tonya founded Nehemiah's Vision, Inc. in 2005 after seeing a need for training and advocacy services that support the roles parents and community leaders play in a child's education.Her passion for education led her to serve on the PTA where she held the positions of Legislative Chair, Education Chair, Vice President and President. She held the first "Meet the Candidates" forum at her local elementary school and "Feeder Night" which gave 6th parents the opportunity to visit their child's middle school and learn about their programs and meet the staff prior to the beginning of the school year. Ms. Wingfield assisted parents by acting as a non-legal advocate in IEP and 504 meetings for students that require special accommodations in order to access the school curriculum. She has worked closely with members of the Board of Education where she developed and conducted parent workshops centered around parental involvement as well as sitting on several committees to include School Accountability and Testing, Master Plan and Special Education from 1994-2017.