Happy Holidays and Year in Review from K. Alexander Wallace!

To the students, families, communities, and faculty/staff of District 7:

I wanted to be among the many individuals to wish you and your loved ones a very Happy Holiday season. I also wanted to send out a brief review of some of the many topics that the Prince George’s County Public School (PGCPS) discussed over the last year, as well as a few initiatives that I am proposing next year!

Student Safety

In response to several cases of employee and volunteer misconduct, the Board of Education held a special session in July to pass several major policies that directed the Chief Executive Officer to strengthen operational procedures and protocols to better protect our school system’s students.

To read more about these policies, please click here.

School Construction

The Board of Education adopted a 20 year Educational Facilities Master Plan (EFMP) that includes a comprehensive school by school schedule for modernizing more than 133 schools; constructing new schools; reorganizing sixth grade to middle schools; and conducting planning studies to consider boundary changes and consolidations. Included in the EFMP are plans to rebuild/replace/renovate every single school within District 7.

Family and Community Engagement

With the adoption of the FY17 Operating Budget, the Board of Education established the PGCPS Family Institute, a program committed to increasing participation and intentional collaboration between families, schools, and broader PGCPS community. As Chair of the Board’s Committee on Family and Community Engagement, I have unreservedly supported this initiative.

Transportation

The Board of Education and PGCPS Administration are well aware of the challenges and frustrations that surround the transportation of our students, both by bus and students who walk to school. During our October 13, 2016 meeting, the Board received a thorough briefing on the challenges and planned remedies for our Transportation Department. To watch the briefing, please click here (2:43:00).

2017 Initiatives

Over the next calendar year, I will be working with my colleagues to revamp many of our Board of Education policies, establishing a District 7 Community Advisory Panel, and strengthening the school system’s services given to and the engagement of PGCPS Alumni.

From me and my my family to you and yours,

Happy Holidays!

K. Alexander Wallace