Prince Georges County Board of Education

14201 School Lane Upper Marlboro, Maryland 20772 www.pgcps.org

Segun Eubanks, Ed. D. June 19, 2017

Board of Education Chair
301-952-6116
Segun.Eubanks@pgcps.org

Briana Woodson
Dear Prince Georges County Citizens:
Board Executive Associate
Over the last four years, Prince Georges County Public Schools (PGCPS) has
experienced growing success that has benefited PGCPS students, staff, and the
broader community. Enrollment is back up, test scores are on the rise, the
graduation rate is at a record high, and more teachers want to teach in PGCPS.
In the context of this success, we are shocked and dismayed by allegations of
systemic corruption made directly to the governor by three Board members.
We find it appalling that these members chose to disregard local leadership,
ignore the fundamental principle of local control and, instead of using the
authority of their positions as Board Members to lead and improve the
organization, they secretly share and distribute information that seeks to
belittle the hard work of students, educators and parents.

Speaking for the majority of the Board, we are proud of what the PGCPS
community has accomplished. In a school system where over 91% of the
population is African American or Hispanic/Latino and over 50% receive free
or reduce lunch, we applaud the more than 7,500 students that received a high
school diploma this year. The vast majority of these students will work in
careers with certifications, serve in our military and/or go on to colleges and
universities.

To be clear, we have no knowledge or evidence of systemic corruption to

increase student graduation results. There are monitoring and compliance
systems in place and if individual teachers, principals or other administrators
cut corners, they face definitive sanctions. As such, until or unless we are
presented with clear and compelling evidence, we choose to believe in the
capacity, ability, and achievement of our students and the integrity of our staff.
We know that our staff have used numerous innovative strategies to help, track
and monitor students achievement to ensure the graduation requirements are
met. These strategies are employed by districts throughout the state and
nation. We note that graduation rates have risen in districts across the state
and if the Maryland State Department of Education decides to investigate, we
ask that it is done in the context of all districts with graduation rate increases
and not focused solely on the district that has done better than most in
improving graduation rates for low income students and students of color.

MISSION STATEMENT
The Prince Georges County Board of Education will advance
the achievement of its diverse student body through community engagement,
sound policy governance, accountability, and fiscal responsibility.

Prince Georges County Public Schools

 Prince Georges County Board of Education
14201 School Lane Upper Marlboro, Maryland 20772 www.pgcps.org

If an investigation
` pursues that fails to provide clear evidence of systemic corruption, or if no
investigation is warranted at all, we demand that Board Members Ahmed, Burroughs, and
Murray write a public letter of apology to the students and families of Prince Georges
County Public schools whose accomplishments theyve called into question and to resign
their posts as members of the Board of Education.

In Solidarity,

Carolyn Boston, District 6 Segun Eubanks, EdD

Board Vice-Chair Board Chair

Patricia Eubanks Lupi Quinteros-Grady

District 4 District 2

Dinora Hernandez, Esq.

Mary Kingston-Roche
District 3
At-Large

Sonya Williams
K. Alexander Wallace
District 9
District 7

Curtis Valentine
At-Large

MISSION STATEMENT
The Prince Georges County Board of Education will advance
the achievement of its diverse student body through community engagement,
sound policy governance, accountability, and fiscal responsibility.

Prince Georges County Public Schools