Maryland readers may have heard about a proposal made by Rushern Baker, a county executive, to take control of the Prince George’s County school system. In fact, over 16,000 residents of Prince George’s County recently attended a town hall meeting on the proposal.
However, the controversy over the educational reforms made by neighboring District of Columbia Public Schools — which made national news and prompted lawsuits by the local teachers’ union — is still fresh in the minds of many individuals. Perhaps for that reason, many residents of Prince George’s County voiced protest to Baker’s proposal at the meeting.
Baker’s proposal would give him control over the school district’s $1.7 billion budget and allow him to appoint the next superintendent. Lawmakers in the Maryland Senate may not agree, however. A modified bill in the state Senate would not permit Baker to have absolute control. Instead, the Senate bill would balance power, delegating budgetary decisions to the school board, while leaving Baker with hiring authority over the next superintendent.
Several teachers’ unions and educational associations also oppose Baker’s proposal. Educators claim that placing control in a single individual’s hands — essentially removing public oversight of the school district — is the not solution to improving student scores and achievements. Rather, these advocates claim that increasing parental involvement and using funds to attract quality teachers are more practical steps to improvement.
The reform proposals may also give rise to employment law disputes. Members of the teachers’ union negotiate the terms of their employment in a collective bargaining agreement with the school district. With absolute power, however, Baker might be tempted to breach the terms of such agreements, giving rise to lawsuits — in much the same fashion as the union lawsuits arose in the District. For some readers, that would be history repeating itself.
Source: thehilltoponline.com, “Rushern Baker Takes Over Prince George’s School System,” Ashley Freelon, April 11, 2013