STATEMENT FROM COUNCIL CHAIR DAVIS ON TERMINATION OF FEDERAL FUNDING FOR COUNTY’S HEAD START PROGRAM AND BOARD OF EDUCATION VOTE NOT TO APPEAL

The safety and welfare of our children and the students enrolled in Prince George’s County schools is the County Council’s highest priority. The entire Council remains outraged by the issues uncovered by the review of the County’s Head Start program and demands that those responsible be held accountable.

Yesterday, County Council leadership met with County Executive Rushern L. Baker, III, Prince George’s County Public Schools CEO Dr. Kevin Maxwell, and Prince George's County Board of Education Chairman Dr. Segun Eubanks to discuss current issues surrounding federal funding of the County’s Head Start program.

We believe that immediate action is absolutely necessary to improve the school board’s administrative oversight and the school system’s managerial functions in order to correct the horrifying deficiencies detailed in the review by the Administration for Children and Families of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

To that end, the Board of Education has voted not to appeal, but rather to relinquish the Head Start grant in order to partner with the federal government and the County to deliver an effective program in the immediate future.

The County’s Head Start program will start on time, Monday, August 29th. Parents, guardians, and the community at large can be assured that the Council, in keeping with our oversight responsibilities, will continue working to ensure our students receive the quality education they deserve, and access to the full range of programs and services they need.