Prince George's School Board Election 2024: Meet Robin Brown

PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, MD — Residents will vote this fall to elect new members of the Prince George's County Board of Education. Patch invited each candidate running for a seat on the school board to complete a questionnaire about their campaign priorities, their views and themselves. Below you'll find the unedited, verbatim responses from Robin Brown, candidate for Prince George's Board of Education District 1.

Early voting runs from Oct. 24 through Oct. 31 and Election Day is Nov. 5. More information about voting locations, registration, mail-in ballots and dropbox ballots is posted here.

Effective July 1, 2024, the Prince George's County Board of Education consists of nine members elected by district to four-year terms. The board previously also had four appointed board members.

Here are the people who filed for candidacy with the State Board of Elections for the Prince George's County Board of Education.

District 1
Tiffini Andorful, Bowie
Donna S. Barriteau, Glenn Dale

District 4
Shayla D. Adams-Stafford, Lanham

District 5
Robin Brown, Bowie
Zipporah Miller, Bowie

District 7
Kenneth Harris, Upper Marlboro
Phelton Moss, Suitland

District 8
Zakyia Goins-McCants, Oxon Hill
Angela R. Jones, Ft. Washington

What is your name? Robin Brown

What position are you running for? District 5 School Board for Prince George's County Public Schools

What ways can people contact you with questions? robinbrown4pgcps@gmail.com

Campaign website? www.robinbrown4pgcps.com

Age as of election day? 39

Place of residence? Bowie MD

Family members? My husband and two PGCPS Scholars

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government? Yes, both my husband and I work under the Dept. of Homeland Security

Education? B.S in Criminal Justice; M.A in Human Services Counseling (Criminal Justice); Currently working on my E.D.D in Traumatology

Occupation? Program and Policy Analyst for FEMA

Previously held elected or appointed political positions? No, because I am a federal employee and per the Hatch Act, I am prohibited from running for any and all partisan positions (not including school board because it is non-partisan).

Why are you running for office? I saw the lack of parent representation on the board and thought we needed more input from people who have a true vested interest in our schools.

What are your top 3 priorities?

• Advocate for extended protection on external and cybersecurity with the equipment provided by PGCPS
• Advocate for families who have children with disabilities
• Develop partnerships with local business to get teens working or develop a skill for future jobs/apprenticeships

What do you believe is the most important issue facing the school board? Our budget and how those funds are allocated properly. There doesn't seem to be a lot of transparency when line items are decided. Because of this, we have seen major negative impacts in our schools.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post? I have been a PGCPS parent since 2014 of two scholars. My children have been in Title I schools, specialty schools and the schools within our zone. As a federal employee, I have an extensive policy background and am a true advocate for my community.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)? On the campaign trail, the number one complaint I hear is lack of accessibility, timely follow-up, and engagement with constituents.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

• Fight and correct policy that secures our schools and advances District 5 to be a more competitive district
• Encourage and educate PGCPS parents to advocate for their children on Education Equity in our county

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job? I am more than qualified for this position. I have written Policy for the Flint Water Crisis, Policy for the Department for Health and Human Services under the United States Public Health Service. I was instrumental in civic and congressional engagement in the 2020 Census and received the Secretary Citation for the State of Maryland. I currently work for the Federal Emergency Management Agency and write Policy for the Financial Policy Branch. There I am responsible for implementing travel policy, monitor the administrative control of funds and I educate FEMA staff on the Federal Travel Regulation and the Joint Travel Regulation.

How will you handle LGBTQ+ and racial issues brought before the school board? I believe that regardless of your sexual orientation, religion or race/ethnicity, everyone should be treated with dignity and respect. I will investigate racist, xenophobic and homophobic claims very seriously and will bring justice to those targeted. I have no tolerance for anyone who uses divisive rhetoric in our schools.

With that being said, addressing LGBTQ+ and racial issues in schools is crucial for creating an inclusive and supportive environment for all students. Here’s how I would approach these matters if elected to the school board:

• Promote Inclusive Policies: Advocate for policies that protect diverse students from discrimination and harassment. This includes ensuring that all students have equal access to school programs and activities.
• I believe that implementing regular training for teachers and educating staff on cultural competency, anti-racism, and LGBTQ+ inclusivity. This helps create a more understanding and supportive school environment.
• The community wants to be engaged. I plan to engage with students, parents, and community members to understand their concerns and perspectives. This can help in developing policies and programs that are responsive to the needs of the community.
• When working for HHS, I established a policy for Safe Reporting Mechanism for PHS Officers which established clear and confidential reporting mechanisms. I would implement something similar for students, teachers and staff to report incidents of discrimination or harassment. Ensuring that these reports are taken seriously and addressed promptly.
• Providing mental health support that allows access to mental health resources for students who may be struggling with issues related to their identity. This includes having counselors who are trained to support the diversity of all students.

By focusing on these areas, we can work towards a more inclusive and equitable school environment for all students.

How will you handle book-banning issues brought before the school board? I do not believe in banning books and as an avid reader, I encourage individuals to read topics that interest them. I would also want the board to consider parent and community input when books are suggested for the curriculum.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

• Student and Teacher Well-being: Ensuring a safe and supportive environment for both students and teachers is my top priority. I believe in implementing comprehensive mental health programs and providing resources to address the well-being of our school community. I also believe in supporting our teachers with incentive pay and will advocate for pay raises.
• Enhanced Security Measures: I am committed to improving the security infrastructure in our schools. This includes modernizing security systems and ensuring that all schools have the necessary resources to keep students and staff safe.
• Educational Equity: I am passionate about closing the achievement gap and ensuring that every student has access to high-quality education, regardless of their background. This involves advocating for equitable funding and resources across all schools in the district.
• Community Engagement: I believe in the power of community involvement. I will work to foster strong relationships between schools, families, and the community to create a collaborative environment that supports student success.

My goal is to serve the community and am dedicated to making decisions that are in the best interest of our students and schools, focusing on practical solutions rather than secret agendas. The input of my community is invaluable and I look forward to working together to improve our school system.