The 2013 session of the Maryland General Assembly passed a law entitled "Improved Access to Voting" intended to make it easier for citizens to register and vote.
Every Prince Georges County member voted for final passage, except Del. Geraldine Valentino-Smith, who was absent.
The General Assembly also passed a law entitled "Prince George's County - School System - Academic Revitalization and Management Effectiveness Initiative."
Every Prince Georges County member voted for final passage, except Sen. C. Anthony Muse and Del, Aisha Braveboy, who voted No, and Del. Tawanna Gaines and Del. Jay Walker, who were excused or absent.
The primary purpose of the latter bill was to overrule the will of the voters of the county and limit the authority of officials for whom they had voted.
So, while almost all of our Senators and Delegates voted to made it easier to vote, they also showed their distrust of, and contempt for, the voters by acting to set aside the results of the voter's choices.
Apparently they want more people to go through the motions of voting, but won't honor the voters' choices.
Disgusting hypocrisy in my opinion.
PG-Politics
Political News and Commentary, Prince George's County, Maryland (Since July 2004)
Monday, April 29, 2013
Tuesday, April 09, 2013
Rushern Baker's planned school coup d'etat, Part zero, list of news reports
Note: The timestamps (about x hours ago) are inaccurate, but they link to pages with the original Tweet and posting time. This is not comprehensive. Final daily issue, may be supplement later if law is challenged.
- 8 Apr 2013
- RT @CollegePrkPatch: Gov. O'Malley: Rushern Baker's increased control over Prince George's schools is "a good thing" http://t.co/Zq9TBUtNA5 about 12 hours ago
- RT @GreenbeltPatch: Watch what O'Malley said about Baker taking over #PGCounty schools: http://t.co/kf9i7Dfejz about 12 hours ago
- RT @UMarlboroPatch: O'Malley supports Baker's move to add new board members and leadership to #PGCounty public schools: http://t.co/Lz1h ... about 12 hours ago
- [Mail List] Re: Fwd w/note: Remaining Two Finalists Withdraw From S: Deasy is now the superintendent in L.A. ... http://t.co/JWlUciF5DN about 15 hours ago
- RT @TraceeWilkins: Pr. George's County Exec Rushern Baker tells me the superintendent will now be called CEO. @nbcwashington about 19 hours ago
- 7 Apr 2013
- [Mail List] Fwd: [PG-Politics] Fw: HB 1107 Passes the House but with 81 Votes (t: ... From: Suchitra Balachand... http://t.co/zgF21c9S5z about 21 hours ago
- [Mail List] Fw: HB 1107 Passes the House but with 81 Votes (that is significant): ... From: Peggy Higgins Sub... http://t.co/5yXDbdmaiy about 21 hours ago
- Sun: Assembly approves shake-up of Prince George's schools http://t.co/lJmqs1YtyM http://t.co/Kns1CIPtgN less than a minute ago
- Post: Only one delegate from Prince George’s — Aisha N. Braveboy (D-25) — voted against Baker's school takeover bill. http://t.co/zBismXGdiM 2 minutes ago
- Post: Md. House sends overhaul of Prince George’s school system to governor http://t.co/zBismXGdiM 5 minutes ago
- 6 Apr 2013
- RT @OvettaWashPost: Md. House sends overhaul of Prince George’s school system to governor http://t.co/TeviTXYN7F about 7 hours ago
- RT @WPJohnWagner: Md. House sends overhaul of Prince George’s school system to governor http://t.co/MkWI2wmDjg about 9 hours ago
- [Mail List] Re: Maryland General ...: I thought there was to be a hearing on Monday .. http://t.co/56CkHpvgwn about 9 hours ago
- [Mail List] Re: Maryland General Assembly Passes Education Ref: The writing was on the wall.... http://t.co/zzIrvyDKfM about 9 hours ago
- [Mail List] Fwd: MD General Assembly Passes Education Reform Legislation: Another Baker press release threatening ... http://t.co/ITH1YVnfo5 about 9 hours ago
- [Mail List] Post: Former PG County executive Wayne K. Curry is new chairman of county Economic Development Corp ... http://t.co/QEM44VSQwC about 9 hours ago
- [Mail List] Re: alleged delegation vote on Senate Bill -- HB 1107: Most are being told how they should vote http://t.co/DDtoQP7prP about 11 hours ago
- RT @darcyspencer: Delegates Approve Baker\'s School Control Plan http://t.co/D8tKhzyn6C via @nbcwashington about 12 hours ago
- [Mail List] Re: alleged delegation vote on Senate Bill -- HB 1107: The betrayal was completed this afternoon ... http://t.co/snDyIBflv7 about 12 hours ago
- RT @GeorgeWNEW: Office of @CountyExecBaker confirms overhaul will take effect June 1. @PGCPSSuper title will be replaced with CEO of @pg ... about 14 hours ago
- RT @nbcwashington: House of Delegates Approves Baker's School Control Plan: http://t.co/yUeunZdsgw about 14 hours ago
- RT @GeorgeWNEW: Assuming @GovernorOMalley signs @pgcps overhaul, @CountyExecBaker will be able to appoint new school board chair, plus @ ... about 14 hours ago
- RT @GeorgeWNEW: . @pgcps school board chair confirms all 3 superintendent candidates dropped out amid 'unfortunate chaos' including lega ... about 14 hours ago
- RT @ABC7News: The Md. House has given final approval to a bill giving the PG Co. executive more control over the school system. http:// ... about 14 hours ago
- RT @GeorgeWNEW: #PG Schools @pgcps overhaul clears #MD General Assembly. @CountyExecBaker camp says still be some time before he can app ... about 14 hours ago
- RT @DCAbloob: County Executive Baker will be free to select the new #PGCPS superintendent. The previous candidates withdrew yesterday. # ... about 15 hours ago
- RT @DCAbloob: Maryland House approves modified Prince George's County schools legislation, 81-45. Bill now goes to governor. #pgcounty # ... about 15 hours ago
- RT @WPJohnWagner: Revamp of Prince George's school system governance passes the Maryland House of Delegates 81-45. Now goes to governor. about 15 hours ago
- [Mail List] Re: Fwd w/note: Remaining Two Finalists Withdraw From ...: Of course the media claque cheering Baker's... http://t.co/9icz235wsE about 15 hours ago
- RT @ABC7News: The two remaining finalists vying to lead the Prince George's school system have withdrawn. http://t.co/D8dDawVE8s about 16 hours ago
- Baker-WaPo plan to end school superintendent turnover is already working http://t.co/sYGq7UzMUa Superintendent can't quit if nobody wants job 9 minutes ago
- 5 Apr 2013
- RT @pgcps: Remaining Two Finalists Withdraw From Superintendent Search Process http://t.co/Ks4FOhQ68R about 4 hours ago
- [Mail List] Re: FW: Remaining Two Finalists Withdraw From Superintendent Search: Maybe the County Executive wa... http://t.co/EP3lofmX08 about 4 hours ago
- [Mail List] Re: FW: Remaining Two Finalists Withdraw From Superintendent Search: If there are no candidates th... http://t.co/dorPpkwN9p about 4 hours ago
- [Mail List] Re: FW: Remaining Two Finalists Withdraw From Superintendent Search: Let's be fair. It was the B... http://t.co/NeGKpSNwEN about 4 hours ago
- @Locs1957 it will get worse before it gets better about 8 hours ago
- [Mail List] Re: Remaining Two Final: Once again, we shoot ourselves in the foot. Thanks, Mr. Baker, for making sur... http://t.co/1yrFpbdQuk about 8 hours ago
- RT @DCAbloob: PGCPS: Remaining two finalists withdraw from superintendent search process - http://t.co/NOXTc8GcHv #pgcounty #pgcps about 10 hours ago
- RT @PGCBlogging: Remaining Two Finalists Withdraw From Superintendent Search Process http://t.co/PKdFYTZrWz via @sharethis about 10 hours ago
- [Mail List] Re: Remaining Two Finalists Withdraw From Superintendent Search: I can't imagine any honest, competent, s http://t.co/907jL2C79x about 10 hours ago
- [Mail List] Re: FW: Remaining Two Finalists Withdraw From Superintendent Search: This is disgusting; branding,... http://t.co/rjS3P7RUDL about 10 hours ago
- [Mail List] FW: Remaining Two Finalists Withdraw From Superintendent Search Proc: fyi- What a surprise!Subject... http://t.co/rmsevwWgtT about 10 hours ago
- RT @News8NewsTalk: As Md. lawmakers near final action on bill giving Exec. the power to choose PG Schools CEO, final candidates withdraw ... about 10 hours ago
- RT @BowiePatch: #BreakingNews | Final Two Superintendent Candidates Withdraw | http://t.co/K3emrMh7sN about 11 hours ago
- RT @KateRyanWTOP: "...in the coming months, we accept and understand why these highly qualified candidates have withdrawn." PGCPS Board ... about 11 hours ago
- RT @KateRyanWTOP: PGCPS "..due to the disruption that occurred with this process and the uncertainty of the leadership of the school system ... about 11 hours ago
- RT @KateRyanWTOP: Eric Becoats, the other finalist in the search for PGCPS Super dropped out on April 2. #PGCPS #Super search about 11 hours ago
- RT @KateRyanWTOP: "We regret that your voice was not heard" PGCPS BOE to the community at large on #Super search and news all 3 candidat ... about 11 hours ago
- RT @radleybalko: Maryland legislature passes a scary new "cyber-bullying" bill. http://t.co/6PChzeIePN about 11 hours ago
- RT @KateRyanWTOP: PGCPS two finalists in the PG Super search drop out. Statement from BOE: "due to the disruption that occurred with thi ... about 11 hours ago
- RT @KateRyanWTOP: ..the two remaining candidates for PGCPS Super dropped out. Dr Alvin Crawley and Mr. Harrison Peters told the BOE today. about 11 hours ago
- RT @josephlkitchen: The compromise bill to reform governance of PGCPS and why I support it. http://t.co/gAAfH379zu via @josephlkitchen about 14 hours ago
- [Mail List] Baltimore/broader education cabal to make good obedient workers?: Hi All, I found a "P-20 Leadersh... http://t.co/aqOZAthOBF about 14 hours ago
- RT @afronews: P.G. School Takeover Foes Confront State Lawmakers http://t.co/hvnkJ2aQ37 about 17 hours ago
- [Mail List] general note to the delegation: This is what I sent to the delegation at pg2@.... I suggest that a... http://t.co/CUNGG6lJwT about 19 hours ago
- RT @nbcwashington: LATEST: The Md. Senate gives initial approval to plan that gives Rushern Baker far more control of county schools: ht ... about 22 hours ago
- 4 Apr 2013
- RT @OvettaWashPost: The writing’s on the wall: Cursive disappearing from public schools http://t.co/ffui976HwW about 6 hours ago
- RT @CountyExecBaker: Just happened: More good news. Pr. George's Co. House Delegation moved the education reform bill to Ways and Means ... about 6 hours ago
- RT @WPJohnWagner: Prince George's schools bill passes the Maryland Senate on a 39-7 vote. about 9 hours ago
- RT @WPJohnWagner: The Post's chart on bills pending in the Maryland General Assembly has been updated http://t.co/a3tXyHNLHH about 10 hours ago
- [Mail List] Fwd: Protect Democracy In Prince George's County: ... From: Pat Fletcher Date: Thu, Apr 4, 2013 a... http://t.co/AxkcUK9iaA about 10 hours ago
- RT @AFPMD: Maryland ranks at the bottom of the most free States in the Nation! I wonder if we will be the least free state... http://t. ... about 14 hours ago
- RT @josephlkitchen: The compromise bill to reform governance of PGCPS and why I support it. http://t.co/gAAfH379zu about 14 hours ago
- RT @MELaurelLeader: Bill to wrest power from Prince George's school board wins support http://t.co/OcokQGZAL7 about 17 hours ago
- RT @postlocal: Pr. George’s delegation backs schools shift, but a full takeover bid falls short http://t.co/eVOPTEXEx1 about 19 hours ago
- Gazette (Letter): ‘In complete shock’ over Baker’s decision. "incompetence at all levels of government in our county" http://t.co/E0tte4E7dS less than a minute ago
- Post: Md. lawmakers close to altering school funding formula to help Prince George's http://t.co/9fjHDRav8M 3 minutes ago
- Examiner: Prince George's state senators pass watered down school reform bill http://t.co/VIblYlOe79 4 minutes ago
- Post: Compromise on Prince George's County schools overhaul set for vote in Md ... http://t.co/UTzGd0bCTL 6 minutes ago
- Post: Pr. George's senators approve county school plan http://t.co/CmG95rEa9F 7 minutes ago
- [Mail List] Pr. George’s delegation backs schools shift, but full takeover bid: Pr. George’s delegation backs ... http://t.co/p0I4T5fTTG 7 minutes ago
- 3 Apr 2013
- RT @PGCountyScoop: Prince George's County Senators approve schools plan http://t.co/3QPoyzkndS 8 minutes ago
- RT @OvettaWashPost: Pr. George’s delegation backs schools shift, but full takeover bid falls short http://t.co/6sfiYJ2obg about 6 hours ago
- [Mail List] Re: Elected Officials' Education Plan Questions: My Senator is doing nothing that my community is ... http://t.co/aPRUZA5Yrt about 8 hours ago
- [Mail List] Re: Elected Officials' Education Plan Questions: Thanks Debbie. Below is the full text of the Was... http://t.co/nn3aL5zkTA about 10 hours ago
- [Mail List] Re: [PrinceGeorges_Discussion] Md. Lawmakers Close to Altering Schoo: With Sincere Regards, Lind... http://t.co/wkDmfvPQEO about 10 hours ago
- [Mail List] Re: Elected Officials' Education Plan Questions: According to the examiner it was the Senate Deleg... http://t.co/nES2zqs3b1 about 10 hours ago
- [Mail List] Re: Elected Officials' Education Plan Questions: They can also be tracked via WaPo's new "track bi... http://t.co/rFmlgYrf14 about 10 hours ago
- RT @WPJohnWagner: Every Md. delegate from Montgomery, Prince George's and Baltimore voted for Gov. O'Malley's gun-control bill, except o ... about 10 hours ago
- [Mail List] Md. Lawmakers Close to Altering School Funding Formula to Help PG: Md. lawmakers close to altering... http://t.co/ltMGzsqVUk about 11 hours ago
- [Mail List] Prince George's County Senators Approve School Plans: MARYLAND Prince George's County Senators app... http://t.co/TEGnKcbPYF about 11 hours ago
- [Mail List] Re: Elected Officials' Education Plan Questions: Sherry, If you go to the General Assembly's web ... http://t.co/puc7DLhKgS about 11 hours ago
- [Mail List] Re: POST: Transformed Baker School 'Takeover' Bill to get Senate Vot: I am properly corrected by J... http://t.co/Gl8c87zUI2 about 11 hours ago
- [Mail List] Re: Elected Officials' Education Plan Questions: Understood Debbie. Some may feel disrespected wh... http://t.co/TYLsHE0c2J about 11 hours ago
- RT @RochelleReports: #PrinceGeorges County Senators approved #PGCPS school board measure in 7-to-1 vote. Proposal now goes to a senate c ... about 11 hours ago
- RT @RochelleReports: @ABC7News reporting that #PrinceGeorges Senators have approved a measure to allow the County Exec. Baker to select ... about 13 hours ago
- RT @ABC7News: PG County Senators have approved a measure that would allow the county executive to select the new superintendent. http:// ... about 13 hours ago
- RT @WNEWNews: Prince George's County Senators have approved County Exec. Baker's plan to take over control of the county's schools. http ... about 13 hours ago
- RT @PGCBlogging: Prince George's County Senators approve schools plan | http://t.co/fA5oWJpQtM: http://t.co/UhjD2LH9BB via @abc7news about 13 hours ago
- RT @myfoxdc: Prince George's County Senators have approved a measure that would allow County Executive Rushern Baker to select... http:/ ... about 13 hours ago
- [Mail List] Re: Elected Officials' Education Plan Questions: Prince George's County Schools Takeover Hearing; ... http://t.co/agIiawC1kG about 13 hours ago
- RT @CountyExecBaker: Pr. George's Senate Delegation moves education bill forward. With this move we are one step closer to more accounta ... about 15 hours ago
- RT @CountyExecBaker: Happening Now: Pr. George's Senate Delegation meeting about education bill. http://t.co/ptzDVPI0h2 about 15 hours ago
- RT @pgpoliticsx: [Mail List] further on SB 1071: I'm still a bit miffed that we have to wait to get information on this critica... http: ... about 15 hours ago
- [Mail List] Re: MD Senate Scheduled to Vote on [PGCPS] Compromise Bill: One still hopes at the end of the day,... http://t.co/XPVJMTR4WK about 16 hours ago
- [Mail List] Re: Elected Officials' Education Plan Questions: I have no doubt that parents, especially those wh... http://t.co/3mxhZ1ukOs about 16 hours ago
- RT @darcyspencer: Candidate Pulls Out of Pr. George\'s Superintendent Race http://t.co/z1kGRn7tVq via @nbcwashington about 18 hours ago
- [Mail List] Re: Elected Officials' Education Plan Questions: See "PG legislators' positions on Rushern Baker's... http://t.co/Y8ZJxkedY3 about 18 hours ago
- [Mail List] Elected Officials' Education Plan Questions: Hi, Just to get up to speed, is there any State or Co... http://t.co/Q0HlaOb1as about 20 hours ago
- @Locs1957 @RochelleReports @pgcps @PGPARENTS At this point, why would any sane, quality, employable super. candidate even want to apply? about 20 hours ago
- Post: Maryland Senate to consider Prince George’s school plan http://t.co/WU2bTSxvwE about 21 hours ago
- Post (Editorial): Maryland Senate is undercutting reform for Prince George’s schools http://t.co/8u56euddNp about a minute ago
- [Mail List] Re MD Senate Scheduled to Vote on PGCPS Compromise Bill: This was such a bad way to move toward greatness http://t.co/AWtBniIpIh 11 minutes ago
- RT @pgpoliticsx: [Mail List] Re: POST: Transformed Baker School 'Takeover' Bill to get Senate Vot: We do all know that Carolyn ... http: ... 14 minutes ago
- 2 Apr 2013
- RT @RochelleReports: Dr. Eric Becoats, 1 of 3 finalists applying for #PGCPS superintendent, withdraws from the search process. @pgcps @P ... 14 minutes ago
- [Mail List] POST: Transformed Baker School 'Takeover' Bill to get Senate Vote We: POST: Transformed Baker Scho... http://t.co/Z9p4ikZFcr about 6 hours ago
- RT @pgcps: One Candidate Withdraws from Superintendent Search Process http://t.co/ZrKpxvDQ32 about 7 hours ago
- [Mail List] MD Senate Scheduled to Vote on [PGCPS] Compromise Bill: Comment: Working together seems better me... http://t.co/ID8ko1hV9m about 7 hours ago
- RT @OvettaWashPost: Maryland Senate scheduled to vote on Pr. George’s schools compromise bill http://t.co/88R6METAYw about 7 hours ago
- RT @HyattsvllePatch: Patch Asks: Residents Talk About School Superintendent Candidates http://t.co/3AMtfqyJCR about 13 hours ago
- RT @gazette_net: To stave off a potential takeover of the school system by Prince George’s County Executive Rushern L. Baker III... http ... about 15 hours ago
- @CNSMDNow Davis is dep dir of an office under Baker. Is there some good reason why CNS does not mention that employment relationship? about 15 hours ago
- @CNSMDNow IMHO, CNS stories quoting D. Davis as supporting Baker's school bill should include the fact that Davis is employed by Baker about 15 hours ago
- RT @CNSMDNow: Who should control the Board of Education in Prince George's county? Lawmakers want more time to decide. http://t.co/VyfTo ... about 15 hours ago
- RT @News_PGCounty: Prince George's school board offers to reopen superintendent search: http://t.co/uPqJKjJbwB about 16 hours ago
- RT @CountyExecBaker: Our school governance proposal mentioned in this article from @TheAtlantic Interesting read: http://t.co/1yFohfwDnR about 16 hours ago
- [Mail List] An independent press - on conflicts of interest in State Legislature: Hi Diane and All, Another th... http://t.co/EFIWskkkPA about 19 hours ago
- [Mail List] Re: [pgpubliced] Updated: Rushern Baker's planned school coup d'etat: Immigrant driver's licenses ... http://t.co/Cb1yqS7WmT about 20 hours ago
- RT @PGCountyScoop: Md. lawmakers hold public hearing on Rushern Baker's plan to tak - DC Breaking Local News Weather Sports FOX 5 WTTG h ... about 22 hours ago
- RT @WNEWNews: Prince George's County lawmakers considering allowing the county executive to overhaul the county’s school system. http:// ... about 22 hours ago
- 1 Apr 2013
- RT @WTOPinMD: PG County lawmakers consider schools takeover plan http://t.co/I143M4d3Rc #WTOP about a minute ago
- [Mail List] Monday's Testimony on S.B. 1071: Dear friends-- Unfortunately, professional obligations prevented ... http://t.co/2wmIZztCWT 2 minutes ago
- RT @WPJohnWagner: A status report on major bills making their way through the Maryland General Assembly http://t.co/a3tXyHNLHH about 7 hours ago
- @mirandawashpost Nowhere has Baker said what he would do differently to guarantee a better result--nor have has press pushed him on that ? about 11 hours ago
- RT @mirandawashpost: Rushern Baker says Prince George's school system is making progress but "a child can't wait a single day for a qual ... about 11 hours ago
- RT @mirandawashpost: w@ovettawashpost Prince George's school board chair Jeana Jacobs is willing to reopen superintendent search to stav ... about 11 hours ago
- RT @News8NewsTalk: 'When you look at the data, we are on the move. I know it can be hard to see that,' PG BoE member Peggy Higgins tells ... about 11 hours ago
- RT @News8NewsTalk: The hearing is nearly an hour old and we have yet to hear from residents. Mostly it's lawmakers venting about the Pri ... about 11 hours ago
- RT @News8NewsTalk: School Board Chair Jacobs: Baker proposal is undemocratic and would undermine solid gains we're making. No, we're not ... about 11 hours ago
- Delegates with potential conflicts of interest re Rushern Baker's school coup d'etat (Part eight) http://t.co/ERsoqU1um0 9 minutes ago
- Proposal for Integrated Police Governance of Prince George’s County Police http://t.co/AK3p1Xg8Eh #PGPD #PrinceGeorges #parody #GoryPG about an hour ago
- 31 Mar 2013
- RT @moses100000: Letter to Maryland General Assembly. http://t.co/fr4LF6Ucw3 about 10 hours ago
- [Mail List] Re: Prince George's legislators' positions ... I'll try to compile list of legis. conflicts of interest http://t.co/eqX8dr1h8P about 12 hours ago
- [Mail List] Re: [pgpubliced] Prince George's legislators' positions on Rushern B: I think the question would b... http://t.co/6cVMGmU4Gg about 12 hours ago
- Post (Jay Mathews): While fixing Prince George’s schools, don’t mess with successes http://t.co/TlWcQFbKfR about 14 hours ago
- [Mail List] Re: It would be a sweet story fo... http://t.co/moP4wVv6Ck about 16 hours ago
- [Mail List] Re: Prince George's legislators' positions on Rushern B: My question is why isn't the press checking ... http://t.co/UvSDwfkQsT about 16 hours ago
- [Mail List] Re: Prince George's legislators' positions on Rushern B: Go back and research the relationships ... http://t.co/8gVBVEfUyZ about 18 hours ago
- PG legislators' positions on Rushern Baker's school coup d'etat (Part seven) http://t.co/FCQ4AUED6C about 22 hours ago
- 30 Mar 2013
- RT @mirandawashpost: Baker says school takeover plan seeks to make Prince George’s more competitive http://t.co/cHNOAl0EjU via @washingt ... about 7 hours ago
- [Mail List] Fwd: [pgpubliced] Friday's Testimony on Baker Takeover: ... From: Date: Sat, Mar 30, 2013 at 4:53... http://t.co/s8IUFeFhxQ about 8 hours ago
- [Mail List] Re: [pgpubliced] Fwd: County Executive Baker Testifies Regarding Pla: ... Current legislators who ... http: ... about 16 hours ago
- Post (Letter from Bob Ross): The wrong plan for Prince George's schools http://t.co/Sd8Wy5XKvf less than a minute ago
- 29 Mar 2013
- RT @mirandawashpost: Baker's school takeover plan takes hit a hearing but compromise afoot http://t.co/qkAtFZOVfI 38 minutes ago
- [Mail List] Re: [pgpubliced] Fwd: County Executive Baker Testifies Regarding Pla: I guess nothing we say matters... http://t.co/xMhpjPQ6if about 9 hours ago
- [Mail List] Re: Fwd: County Executive Baker Testifies Regarding Plan on School G: I was living in Montgomery C... http://t.co/dLolMv4kxL about 9 hours ago
- [Mail List] Fwd: County Executive Baker Testifies Regarding Plan on School Gover: Sitting in front while Baker... http://t.co/8Urkd86J8l about 11 hours ago
- [Mail List] Re: Integrated School Governance Advisory Commission?: ... It makes perfect sense, though: produc... http://t.co/UvF8bBvMOq about 12 hours ago
- RT @PGCBlogging: Leaders are able to overstep boundaries when the Majority is Apathetic: http://t.co/tAMmTq5FrI about 12 hours ago
- RT @pgcps: Prince George's County Council Chair: The County Executive's school takeover bill lacks checks and balances and disenfranchis ... about 12 hours ago
- RT @CountyExecBaker: Happening Now: Testifying before #MDSenate Education, Heath, Environment Committee. #NoMoreStatusQuo. http://t.co/ ... about 12 hours ago
- RT @KateRyanWTOP: PG County Exec Baker to go before a Senate Committee on his "integrated school governance" plan. It gives him authorit ... about 12 hours ago
- RT @mirandawashpost: MD Senate ed panel at 1 http://t.co/81FERBWHJj take up Baker school takeover plan, ever evolving with lawmakers wei ... about 16 hours ago
- RT @CountyExecBaker: Sorry for the delay as we fixed the low audio volume from #TeleTownHall. Thx to those who particpated. Listen here ... about 16 hours ago
- [Mail List] Re: Integrated School Governance Advisory Commission? Baker established some kind of education study ... http://t.co/odin9rKe3x about 21 hours ago
- [Mail List] Re: Integrated School Governance Advisory Commission?: There is that, of course. But given the pu... http://t.co/UcAsHnlCrs about 22 hours ago
- [Mail List] Re: Integrated School Governance Advisory Commission?: I have not had the time to really dig into ... http://t.co/VLLw4WwqL7 about 22 hours ago
- Gazette: Critics bash Senate version of Prince George’s schools takeover effort http://t.co/Zq8EN9DXJI about a minute ago
- [Mail List] Re: FWD: Greenbelter Peggy Higgins on Schools Takeover: Just Say No.: Sorry about the file attachm... http://t.co/BlOwbjWyaV 4 minutes ago
- 28 Mar 2013
- [Mail List] Re: Baker's takeover plan: I've been swamped by other things but watching this unfold. My two cent... http://t.co/8WrXGrSRwe about 8 hours ago
- [Mail List] Re: WaPo: Baker face-saving 'takeover' bill introduced (SB1071): Term limits have not worked anywh... http://t.co/1kZ9FR5weR about 10 hours ago
- [Mail List] Re: Baker's takeover plan: We have a right not to be jerked around like this, what has happened to... http://t.co/H8latQHFXE about 11 hours ago
- Sun: Say no to Prince George's schools takeover http://t.co/MjOcDjfvqX about 11 hours ago
- [Mail List] Re: Care is needed in considering trends, statistics on PG Schools: Understood Linda, but the BoE ... http://t.co/d2MPnNktaF about 12 hours ago
- [Mail List] Re: Care is needed in considering trends, statistics on PG Schools: Yes, however, for the develope... http://t.co/Gmh5fvdC6B about 12 hours ago
- RT @PGCBlogging: 7pm tonight PGCo Young Dems meet with reps from Bakers office about his school plan. 4301 Garden City Dr Hyattsville MD ... about 12 hours ago
- RT @PGCBlogging: PGCo Council wants control of school budget http://t.co/ijTpnq4VGr. Even Baker allies aren't seeing checks/balances about 12 hours ago
- [Mail List] Baker's takeover plan: I feel we were blindsided in the way this plan was proposed. I think our sc... http://t.co/Pyj1QxnILC about 12 hours ago
- [Mail List] Re: Care is needed in considering trends, statistics on PG Schools: Core = students who took a col... http://t.co/3UserpUJRj about 12 hours ago
- [Mail List] Re: Care is needed in considering trends, statistics on PG Schools: I'm pretty sure the developers... http://t.co/1MA4MTTHYB about 12 hours ago
- [Mail List] Care is needed in considering trends, statistics on PG Schools: Hi Denise and All, THIS is precise... http://t.co/Fr60ZgE6O1 about 12 hours ago
- RT @CNSmd: Prince George’s Delegates Split on Proposed County Education Bill: http://t.co/p23qQPoZTq about 12 hours ago
- RT @CNSmd: Prince George’s Delegates Split on Proposed County Education Bill: http://t.co/CJWaA6GDdb about 12 hours ago
- [Mail List] Re: FWD: Greenbelter Peggy Higgins on Schools Takeover: Just Say No.: The need for PGC student gra... http://t.co/fYq2UyBfTO about 12 hours ago
- [Mail List] Re: FWD: Greenbelter Peggy Higgins on Schools Takeover: Just Say No.: The trend is the same for PG... http://t.co/A1czDfnZlJ about 12 hours ago
- [Mail List] Re: FWD: Greenbelter Peggy Higgins on Schools Takeover: Just Say No.: Duly noted and Applauded: ... http://t.co/k7K49mvBYi about 12 hours ago
- [Mail List] FWD: Greenbelter Peggy Higgins on Schools Takeover: Just Say No.: I say "maybe," but here, from a ... http://t.co/POygYN6rZW about 19 hours ago
- RT @WPJohnWagner: The WaPo edit board urges the Md legislature to give Prince George's exec Rushern Baker more authority over schools ht ... about 22 hours ago
- Post: Baker talks to Prince George's residents about schools takeover plan http://t.co/IvR7hJNMgG 2 minutes ago
- RT @DCAbloob: Washington Post editorial: Md. lawmakers should vote now to fix Prince George’s schools - http://t.co/MY7QFgOy9G #pgcounty ... 4 minutes ago
- [Mail List] Re: WaPo: Baker face-saving 'takeover' bill introduced (SB1071): Except for the shorter terms, thi... http: ... 4 minutes ago
Saturday, April 06, 2013
Baker-WaPo plan to end school superintendent turnover is already working.
Rushern Baker and his aides at the Washington Post are already succeeding in the plan to end turnover of school superintendents in Prince George's County.
They have chased away all of the current candidates for the job and have created an environment in which nobody worth hiring would want the job..
With no candidates to be hired, there won't be a superintendent who can quit. Baker and the Post staff certainly deserve credit for coming up with a novel way of reducing turnover.
They have chased away all of the current candidates for the job and have created an environment in which nobody worth hiring would want the job..
With no candidates to be hired, there won't be a superintendent who can quit. Baker and the Post staff certainly deserve credit for coming up with a novel way of reducing turnover.
Monday, April 01, 2013
Delegates with potential conflicts of interest re Rushern Baker's school coup d'etat (Part eight)
The non-legislative employment of some of the Prince George's County delegates who will act upon Rushern Baker's school takeover plan raises the question of potential conflicts of interest and whether those delegates should recuse themselves from acting on related bills.
These potential conflicts have been ignored in mainstream media reports on legislative support of or opposition to Baker's plan.
Del. Jolene Ivey (D-47) is the delegate who has been most often quoted as a strong supported of the Baker plan. According to her official biography on the Maryland General Assembly website, Ivey has been "Director, Media Relations, Community Teachers Institute" since 2004. Baker was Executive Director of the Community Teacher's Institute for a number of years before taking office as County Executive in 2010. Shortly before Baker's election there were press reports that the institute was the subject of a state investigation.
In September 2012 "The Real Prince George's" blog reported that Ivey "has a strong relationship with County Executive Rushern Baker." An extensive search has not turned up any news or reports of her employment by Baker. Has Ivey's support for the Baker plan been influenced by that employment relationship?
Del. Dereck E. Davis (D-25) has been quoted in the press as a supporter of the Baker plan and prepared an amendment to bill HB 1107 that would, if adopted, give Baker the authority he seeks. According to his official biography, Davis has been "Deputy Director, Prince George's County Office of Community Relations" since 2011. That means he was appointed to that position by Baker or one of Baker's subordinates.
On the Maryland General Assembly website page for Prince George's County, Davis and his position are listed under the county's Chief of Staff, along with other officials responsible for communications and outreach. Has Davis' support for the Baker plan been based on or influenced by his employment as a communicator for the Baker administration?
Del. James W. Hubbard (D-23A) apparently has not been quoted in the press. He did support Baker's 2002 intervention in school governance. According to his official biography, Hubbard has been "Executive Assistant to Deputy Director, Dept. of Corrections, Prince George's County" since 2003. SO, while he is a county employee under Baker, he has held that position since long before Baker took office, his position is far removed from Baker's immediate supervision, and he is not directly involved in either education or communicating Baker's policies to the public.
Del. Carolyn J. B. Howard (D-24) apparently has not been quoted in the press. She did not support Baker's 2002 intervention in school governance. According to her official biography, Howard has been "Director, Department of Federal Programs, Prince George's County Public Schools" since 2000. She works in the school system, ultimately under the supervision of the superintendent and school board, so her employment could be affected by the outcome of pending legislation to effect Baker's plan.
It would be useful to know if any of these delegates have sought or obtained ethics or legal advice on the potential conflicts of interest, but does not seem likely that they, or the media, will tell us.
These potential conflicts have been ignored in mainstream media reports on legislative support of or opposition to Baker's plan.
Del. Jolene Ivey (D-47) is the delegate who has been most often quoted as a strong supported of the Baker plan. According to her official biography on the Maryland General Assembly website, Ivey has been "Director, Media Relations, Community Teachers Institute" since 2004. Baker was Executive Director of the Community Teacher's Institute for a number of years before taking office as County Executive in 2010. Shortly before Baker's election there were press reports that the institute was the subject of a state investigation.
In September 2012 "The Real Prince George's" blog reported that Ivey "has a strong relationship with County Executive Rushern Baker." An extensive search has not turned up any news or reports of her employment by Baker. Has Ivey's support for the Baker plan been influenced by that employment relationship?
Del. Dereck E. Davis (D-25) has been quoted in the press as a supporter of the Baker plan and prepared an amendment to bill HB 1107 that would, if adopted, give Baker the authority he seeks. According to his official biography, Davis has been "Deputy Director, Prince George's County Office of Community Relations" since 2011. That means he was appointed to that position by Baker or one of Baker's subordinates.
On the Maryland General Assembly website page for Prince George's County, Davis and his position are listed under the county's Chief of Staff, along with other officials responsible for communications and outreach. Has Davis' support for the Baker plan been based on or influenced by his employment as a communicator for the Baker administration?
Del. James W. Hubbard (D-23A) apparently has not been quoted in the press. He did support Baker's 2002 intervention in school governance. According to his official biography, Hubbard has been "Executive Assistant to Deputy Director, Dept. of Corrections, Prince George's County" since 2003. SO, while he is a county employee under Baker, he has held that position since long before Baker took office, his position is far removed from Baker's immediate supervision, and he is not directly involved in either education or communicating Baker's policies to the public.
Del. Carolyn J. B. Howard (D-24) apparently has not been quoted in the press. She did not support Baker's 2002 intervention in school governance. According to her official biography, Howard has been "Director, Department of Federal Programs, Prince George's County Public Schools" since 2000. She works in the school system, ultimately under the supervision of the superintendent and school board, so her employment could be affected by the outcome of pending legislation to effect Baker's plan.
It would be useful to know if any of these delegates have sought or obtained ethics or legal advice on the potential conflicts of interest, but does not seem likely that they, or the media, will tell us.
Proposal for Integrated Police Governance of Prince George’s County Police
Prince George's has one of the worst records in the state when it comes to homicide.
School children are being murdered on the streets far away from schools and outside school hours. County Executive Baker criticizes the elected board of education for the failure of his police to protect these children.
While the homicide rate is down some, progress in reducing them has been very slow. Prince George's County has the second worst homicide record in the state and the second worst record in the D.C. area.
Despite Baker's self-serving claim that "You look at public safety, it’s going in the right direction," the murder rate remains several times that of nearby suburban jurisdictions.
The Prince George's County police department has a long record of using excessive force and outright brutality, both on and off the job. Several former police officers are currently in prison for robbery, corruption, and even murder.
The county has had numerous chiefs of police over the past several years.
We have to do something about the homicides, we can't wait any longer.
So, let's look at the Baker school improvement plan and see if we can apply it to crime and the police.
A proposal to alter the governance structure of the Prince George's County police. The Integrated Police Governance Proposal for Prince George’s County Police would keep the current County Executive and County Council, expand the expertise on the council through certain appointments, focus the council on crime-fighting policy, strengthen the role of the chief of police and give the Governor the authority to appoint the chief of police. Under the proposal, the Maryland General Assembly would confirm the chief of police as well as have authorization to appoint a voting member to the County Council. Ultimately, this proposal gives the chief of police more control over police operations and greater, more efficient access to other State and County government resources.
“I firmly believe the people of Prince George’s County deserve the best police protection possible." This proposal is an effort to make our streets safer by using all the resources the County government has to offer so that our residents and their families have the tools they need to be successful. I am confident, that by providing the chief of police with more autonomy, giving the police department more resources, and expanding the law enforcement expertise of the county council, our police will be able to serve the residents and families of Prince George’s County in a more holistic manner.”
Under this proposal, the needs of the police department will be better aligned with Maryland State Government services and resources. Integrated Police Governance will accelerate improvements across the police department and, through the chief of police, give the state government more oversight of operations of the County’s police. It will restore the public’s confidence in the police department and help stem the exodus of families out of the County because of the county's declining reputation and image. It will also assure accountability for the success of the police department.
It is critical to note that, under the Integrated Police Governance proposal, the elected County Executive and County Council will remain as an elected body serving the same districts. Additionally, under this proposal, three voting appointed members would be added to the County Council, representing the fields of law enforcement, business victims, and individual victims, along with three non-voting appointed representatives from the law enforcement faculties of three of the County’s institutions of higher learning - Bowie State University, Prince George’s Community College (PGCC), and the University of Maryland, College Park.
The additional members will represent interests that are currently not reflected on the council: a background in law enforcement and two types of crime victims. This expansion would focus decision-making on the safety of our residents of our children as well as increase victim engagement. By including members representing the higher education community, the council could direct academic resources so that County police become better prepared to fight crime and protect the public.
If passed by the General Assembly, an Integrated Police Governance Transition Team would be immediately formed to analyze, review, and propose an implementation plan. They could evaluate the current chief of police and determine whether to begin a search search process to find a new chief. It is critically important for candidates for chief of police to know who they will be reporting to and what police governance will look like.
This E-mail and any of its attachments does not contain any Prince George’s County Government or Prince George's County 7th Judicial Circuit Court proprietary information or Protected Health Information. Unlike emails from County Executive Baker and other county offices, it does not claim to contain privileged and confidential information. It is intended for broad dissemination, distribution, copying, or other actions, without threats of civil and/or criminal penalties. If you believe you have received this E-mail in error, feel free to delete it or to be entertained and pass it on.
School children are being murdered on the streets far away from schools and outside school hours. County Executive Baker criticizes the elected board of education for the failure of his police to protect these children.
While the homicide rate is down some, progress in reducing them has been very slow. Prince George's County has the second worst homicide record in the state and the second worst record in the D.C. area.
Despite Baker's self-serving claim that "You look at public safety, it’s going in the right direction," the murder rate remains several times that of nearby suburban jurisdictions.
The Prince George's County police department has a long record of using excessive force and outright brutality, both on and off the job. Several former police officers are currently in prison for robbery, corruption, and even murder.
The county has had numerous chiefs of police over the past several years.
We have to do something about the homicides, we can't wait any longer.
So, let's look at the Baker school improvement plan and see if we can apply it to crime and the police.
Proposal for Integrated Police Governance of Prince George’s County Police
Innovative plan changes police governance structure to better align
government resources and improve police operations
government resources and improve police operations
A proposal to alter the governance structure of the Prince George's County police. The Integrated Police Governance Proposal for Prince George’s County Police would keep the current County Executive and County Council, expand the expertise on the council through certain appointments, focus the council on crime-fighting policy, strengthen the role of the chief of police and give the Governor the authority to appoint the chief of police. Under the proposal, the Maryland General Assembly would confirm the chief of police as well as have authorization to appoint a voting member to the County Council. Ultimately, this proposal gives the chief of police more control over police operations and greater, more efficient access to other State and County government resources.
“I firmly believe the people of Prince George’s County deserve the best police protection possible." This proposal is an effort to make our streets safer by using all the resources the County government has to offer so that our residents and their families have the tools they need to be successful. I am confident, that by providing the chief of police with more autonomy, giving the police department more resources, and expanding the law enforcement expertise of the county council, our police will be able to serve the residents and families of Prince George’s County in a more holistic manner.”
Under this proposal, the needs of the police department will be better aligned with Maryland State Government services and resources. Integrated Police Governance will accelerate improvements across the police department and, through the chief of police, give the state government more oversight of operations of the County’s police. It will restore the public’s confidence in the police department and help stem the exodus of families out of the County because of the county's declining reputation and image. It will also assure accountability for the success of the police department.
It is critical to note that, under the Integrated Police Governance proposal, the elected County Executive and County Council will remain as an elected body serving the same districts. Additionally, under this proposal, three voting appointed members would be added to the County Council, representing the fields of law enforcement, business victims, and individual victims, along with three non-voting appointed representatives from the law enforcement faculties of three of the County’s institutions of higher learning - Bowie State University, Prince George’s Community College (PGCC), and the University of Maryland, College Park.
The additional members will represent interests that are currently not reflected on the council: a background in law enforcement and two types of crime victims. This expansion would focus decision-making on the safety of our residents of our children as well as increase victim engagement. By including members representing the higher education community, the council could direct academic resources so that County police become better prepared to fight crime and protect the public.
If passed by the General Assembly, an Integrated Police Governance Transition Team would be immediately formed to analyze, review, and propose an implementation plan. They could evaluate the current chief of police and determine whether to begin a search search process to find a new chief. It is critically important for candidates for chief of police to know who they will be reporting to and what police governance will look like.
###
This E-mail and any of its attachments does not contain any Prince George’s County Government or Prince George's County 7th Judicial Circuit Court proprietary information or Protected Health Information. Unlike emails from County Executive Baker and other county offices, it does not claim to contain privileged and confidential information. It is intended for broad dissemination, distribution, copying, or other actions, without threats of civil and/or criminal penalties. If you believe you have received this E-mail in error, feel free to delete it or to be entertained and pass it on.
Sunday, March 31, 2013
PG legislators' positions on Rushern Baker's school coup d'etat (Part seven)
Notes: Dates shown are for the online version of news reports and may differ from the dates a story appeared in print. * indicates legislators who voted for Baker's 2002 school interference law. That change did not improve educational results, but did result in the Baker-created appointed school board appoint, defending, and paying off a superintendent later convicted of committing felonies on the job. Potential employment-related conflicts of interest highlighted in Red.
Supporters
Del. Benjamin Barnes (D-21). Gazette, 23 Mar 2013
Supporters
- Del. Benjamin Barnes (D-21). 301-858-3046, ben.barnes@house.state.md.us
- Gazette, 23 Mar 2013
- Sen. Joanne C. Benson (D-24). 301-858-3148, joanne.benson@senate.state.md.us
- Post, 16 Mar 2013
- Sen. Ulysses Currie * (D-25). 301-858-3127, ulysses.currie@senate.state.md.us
- Post, 17 Mar 2013
- Del. Dereck E. Davis * (D-25). 301-858-3519, dereck.davis@house.state.md.us
- Deputy Director of Community Relations under Rushern Baker
- CNS, 28 Mar 2013, Post, 30 Mar 2013
- Del. Jolene Ivey (D-47). 301-858-3478, jolene.ivey@house.state.md.us
- Director of Media Relations for Baker's Community Teacher's Institute
- Post, 17 Mar 2013, Post, 20 Mar 2013, Post, 20 Mar 2013, Gazette, 21 Mar 2013
- Sen. Thomas V. 'Mike' Miller, Jr. * (D-27). 301-858-3700, thomas.v.mike.miller@senate.state.md.us
- Post, 29 Mar 2013
- Sen. Paul Pinsky * (D-22). 301-858-3155, paul.pinsky@senate.state.md.us
- Post, 20 Mar 2013, Post, 22 Mar 2013 ("key architect of the takeover plan")
- Sen. Victor Ramirez (D-47), 301-858-3745, victor.ramirez@senate.state.md.us
- Gazette, 21 Mar 2013
- Del. Geraldine Valentino-Smith (D-23A). 301-858-3101, geraldine.valentino.smith@house.state.md.us
- Gazette, 23 Mar 2013, Post, 23 Mar 2013
- Del. Aisha Braveboy (D-25). 301-858-3707. aisha.braveboy@house.state.md.us
- Gazette, 23 Mar 2013, Post, 23 Mar 2013, CNS, 28 Mar 2013
- Del. Anne Healey * (D-22). 301-858-3961, anne.healey@house.state.md.us
- Post, 23 Mar 2013
- Sen. Douglas J.J. Peters (D-23). 301-858-3631, douglas.peters@senate.state.md.us
- Post, 16 Mar 2013, Post, 22 Mar 2013
- Del. Veronica Turner (D-26). 301-858-3212, veronica.turner@house.state.md.us
- Gazette, 23 Mar 2013, CNS, 28 Mar 2013
- Del. Jay Walker (D-26). 301-858-3581, jay.walker@house.state.md.us
- Gazette, 23 Mar 2013
Del. Benjamin Barnes (D-21). Gazette, 23 Mar 2013
Delegation Vice Chair Del. Benjamin S. Barnes (D-Dist.21) of College Park pointed out that the school board has gone though seven superintendents in 14 years and questioned whether the board was doing enough to address turnover.Sen. Joanne Benson (D-24). Post, 16 Mar 2013
State Sen. Joanne Benson (D-Prince George’s), a former school administrator and the delegation’s liaison for education, described Baker’s plan as “a good fit,” one that will increase accountability.Del. Aisha Braveboy (D-25). Gazette, 23 Mar 2013
“I think that a change is needed,” she said. “We also need a facelift for the reputation of our school system. . . . I don’t have a problem with [the superintendent] becoming a cabinet-level position.”
Del. Aisha N. Braveboy (D-Dist.25) of Mitchellville questioned why these issues had to be settled with legislation instead of through some other agreement or study.
"I dislike making a change just to make a change," she said.Del. Aisha Braveboy (D-25). Post, 23 Mar 2013
Del. Aisha N. Braveboy (D-Prince George’s) argued that Baker is “making a change just for the sake of making a change,” and she suggested that an outside expert be brought in to assess the system.Del. Aisha Braveboy (D-25). CNS, 28 Mar 2013
“Why don’t we give this issue the level of importance it deserves and give it a study like we give other important issues,” she said.
Delegate Aisha Braveboy, D-Prince George’s, said there have been other executive takeovers of school systems across the country, but she is not convinced they have been as effective as they initially sought out to be.Sen. Ulysses Currie * (D-25). Post, 17 Mar 2013
“I think it’s difficult for us to say that this change (in structure) would yield better results given that the proposal hasn’t proven to be successful in other areas,” Braveboy said.
Both Turner and Braveboy agreed they wanted changes made to help improve Maryland’s second largest school system.
State Sen. Ulysses Currie (D-Prince George’s) said he plans to support Baker’s proposed state legislation, which likely will be added as amendments to a bill that Del. Geraldine Valentino-Smith (D-Prince George’s) proposed months ago to form a task force to review the operations of the school board.Del. Dereck E. Davis * (D-25). CNS, 28 Mar 2013
“I think he is going in the right direction,” Currie said, describing the school system as the “weak link” in the county’s ability to move forward. Baker has long said the schools — which rank toward the bottom of Maryland’s school systems in terms of achievement — are a hurdle to economic growth.
Others in the Prince George’s delegation, including Delegate Dereck Davis, believe the changes in power make sense conceptually.Del. Dereck E. Davis * (D-25). Post, 30 Mar 2013
“If the executive is willing to take this on and wants to be held accountable for it, I’m supportive of the idea,” said Davis, adding that the county has been consistently ranked at the bottom of the state in terms of student achievement during the nearly 19 years he has been in office.
Davis said he has talked to many of his colleagues on the House side, and that a majority of them are in favor of taking some type of action in the near future.
“It may not be precisely what the county executive introduces, but overall they are not satisfied with what’s currently going on.” Davis said. “They’re definitely supportive of seeing something happen that would alter the course that we have been on.”
Del. Dereck E. Davis (D-Prince George’s), who has served in the General Assembly for nearly 20 years, said he is constantly bombarded by constituent complaints about the school system’s slow progress.Del. Anne Healey * (D-22). Post, 23 Mar 2013
“There have been modest gains . . . but we had nowhere to go but up,” Davis said. “Can I guarantee that this will improve schools? I can’t make that guarantee. But we need to plot a different course. . . . If [Baker is] willing to take it on, I’m willing to back it.”
After a bitter battle took place in 2002 to get rid of the elected board of education and replace it with an appointed board — a move that was reversed in 2006 — Baker’s new schools plan has run into fresh resistance in the General Assembly, where several lawmakers are concerned that the county executive would have more power than any other in the state.
“I am not happy that this is here at this time with so little preparation,” said Del. Anne Healey (D-Prince George’s) .Del. Jolene Ivey (D-47). Post, 17 Mar 2013
“We are going to deal with it, go through it line by line, piece by piece and figure out if anything in here will advance our school system,” she said.
Del. Jolene Ivey (D-Prince George’s), the chairman of the county’s House delegation, applauded Baker for addressing what she called the “final and most important piece in our county’s renaissance.”Del. Jolene Ivey (D-47). Post, 20 Mar 2013
Ivey said she has attended numerous public forums in the county where residents have criticized Baker for the school system’s shortcomings.
“People think the county executive is running the schools, but all he can do is send money,” Ivey said. “If he is going to be judged on our schools, he needs to do more.”
“I truly think we’re asking too much of our school board,” said Del. Jolene Ivey (D), chairman of the Prince George’s delegation in the House, who supports Baker’s proposal.Del. Jolene Ivey (D-47). Post, 20 Mar 2013
“We’re paying these people $18,000 a year. Most of them have to have an additional job,” Ivey said. “You’re asking people to have 1½ jobs, manage a $1.7 billion budget, and focus on parental engagement and academic policy. Now come on — how much can you expect people to do?”
State Del. Jolene Ivey, head of the Prince George’s delegation and a supporter of Baker’s plan, said when Baker and other elected officials meet with residents around the county education consistently tops the list what residents want to discuss. “That’s what we hear,” she said. “What they want to talk about usually are schools. The reality is that [Baker] is doing all he can do with the current set up. The question is what can we do differently.”Del. Jolene Ivey (D-47). Gazette, 21 Mar 2013
Del. Jolene Ivey (D-Dist. 47) of Cheverly, chairwoman of the county’s House delegation, believes the change could be positive for Baker. Prince George’s students’ test scores have ranked near or at the bottom on the state standardized tests for years, and although the school board oversees the education system, voters tend to hold Baker and county leaders responsible for the state of local schools, Ivey said. Ivey added that she did not think Baker’s proposal comes with any future political agenda.Sen. Thomas V. 'Mike' Miller, Jr. * (D-27). Post, 29 Mar 2013
“Sure, anything good he’s able to accomplish benefits him in the future politically, but he’s got three kids who graduated from Prince George’s schools and he’s committed to making them better,” Ivey said. “There’s always that risk of it not working out, but if you take the safe route, what have you accomplished? That’s how he’s been in his whole political career. He’s been willing to do something unpopular to get something accomplished.”
Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller (D-Calvert), whose district includes a chunk of southern Prince George’s, sat near committee members as they heard two hours of testimony.Sen. Douglas J.J. Peters (D-23). Post, 16 Mar 2013
Miller said when the hearing broke up that he thinks that the system has improved but that progress is too slow and the county cannot afford to wait much longer.
“We turn over huge sums of money to the school board,” he said. “We need to see results.”
Miller, who will have extensive influence over the course of the debate, predicted there would be a compromise. “The county executive will want more than we are going to give him,” he said. “The other side doesn’t want to see any change. We are going to find a way to fashion a compromise.”
State Sen. Douglas J.J. Peters (D), chairman of the county’s Senate delegation, said he wonders whether restructuring would yield academic improvements.Sen. Douglas J.J. Peters (D-23). Post, 22 Mar 2013
Sen. Douglas J.J. Peters (D-Prince George’s) said he told Baker that the General Assembly would not approve his proposal. “It needs to be retooled to have a chance,” Peters said. Throughout the week, Baker’s aides, working with Senate staffers, redrafted the legislation, which is slated to be introduced Monday, according to lawmakers.Sen. Paul Pinsky * (D-22). Post, 20 Mar 2013
Sen. Paul Pinsky (D-Prince George’s) said the issue was reaching a climax now partly because of concerns that the board isn’t up to the task of making the best choice for superintendent. The board recently narrowed the search to three finalists, but Baker’s bombshell could mean the hunt is reopened.Sen. Paul Pinsky * (D-22). Post, 22 Mar 2013
“There’s some question of confidence in the Board of Education to make a good choice,” Pinsky said. Noting that only a couple of members work professionally in education, he said, “Few have ongoing experience sitting around the table with other superintendents, either in the county or the state.”
Sen. Paul G. Pinsky (D-Prince George’s), an ally of Baker’s who was a key architect of the takeover plan, acknowledged that “some people will be concerned about a power grab.”Sen. Victor Ramirez (D-47). Gazette, 21 Mar 2013
“But I don’t hear a lot of people coming to the defense of the Board of Education,” he said. “Most people want good schools, and they don’t care how we get there.”
State Sen. Victor Ramirez (D-Dist. 47) of Cheverly said he doubted any one single issue would derail Baker’s re-election bid as long as voters see he is trying to improve the county.Del. Veronica Turner (D-26). Gazette, 23 Mar 2013
“When you’re trying to do the right thing, I don’t think it can be seen as political suicide,” Ramirez said. “He’s trying to be a leader, and education is our No. 1 priority. ... He wants our system to be one of the best in the nation. I don’t believe it’s a power kick. He’s trying to move the county forward.”
But other delegates were concerned with how Baker's proposal would deal with the cooperative bargaining among the school system and teachers unions. "I'm worried how this will affect labor contracts," said Del. Veronica L. Turner (D-Dist.26) of Temple Hills.Del. Veronica Turner (D-26). CNS, 28 Mar 2013
“The bill came too fast too late (in the session)” said Delegate Veronica Turner, D-Prince George’s. “There was no time really for us to conduct a study to understand what the county executive is trying to do.”Del. Geraldine Valentino-Smith (D-23A). Gazette, 23 Mar 2013
...
Both Turner and Braveboy agreed they wanted changes made to help improve Maryland’s second largest school system. When asked whether she believed the policy was the county executive’s attempt to seek more power, Turner said Baker’s “motives were legit.”
“He knows that there are problems and he was trying to fix them,” Turner said. “But his approach of trying to fix them may not have been the right approach.”
Del. Geraldine Valentino-Smith (D-Dist.23) of Bowie argued that the current model is faltering despite those numbers, saying decreasing enrollment is affecting state funding for Prince George's schools. "At the end of the day, the school board is advocating we follow a model that other jurisdictions are following when we are the largest in the state," she said. "It's a shared responsibility. This proposal is saying 'Can we share with you?'"Del. Geraldine Valentino-Smith (D-23A). Post, 23 Mar 2013
Del. Geraldine Valentino-Smith (D-Prince George’s) said she has tried to win school board support in the past two years for legislation that would offer the public more information about contracts and spending practices, but has been repeatedly rebuffed by the school board.Del. Jay Walker (D-26). Gazette, 23 Mar 2013
“This year I came in and said ‘Can we please put together a task force and look at best practices,’ ” she said. “It was vehemently opposed by the school board.”
"My main question is 'Where's the plan?' What's the county's plan? What's the board's plan?" said Del. Jay Walker (D-Dist.26) of Fort Washington during the special hearing on the proposal in Annapolis.
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