School Board: Peggy Higgins Speaks

Patch spoke with Distirct 2 candidate Peggy Higgins regarding her campaign for school board. Although Patch contacted Mark Cook, he was unavailable for comment in time for this article.

Riverdale Park-University Park Patch: How do you plan to operate schools at a high level without all the funding, loss of art and music programs in some cases and loss of parent liaisons, who usually can also speak Spanish and help communicate with students whose parents do not speak English?

Peggy Higgins: While, of course, funding is important and we are challenged by cuts that you mention, operating schools at a high level is not solely a funding issue.  It is a factor of vision, accountability, focus and cohesion all the while tapping into each individual's dedication and commitment to their professional purpose and the resources of the community.   I should also mention that over 40 parent liaisons have been reinstated and are working in our schools. 

Patch: What are the three main changes you would like to make if you are voted into office and what is your action plan in doing so? 

Higgins: As School Board member, my focus is for each decision to be made within the context that children are our priority.  Within that context, I am committed to increasing community engagement and improving teacher and principal workforce to achieve the outcome of improved student achievement.  

To improve teacher and principal workforce, my first step is to first understand the action plan and benchmarks  currently in place and hold the Superintendent and staff accountable to reach those benchmarks.  Increasing the engagement of our community occurs by enhancing relationships and highlighting collaborative opportunities within the context of student achievement. 

Patch:  In the case of Prince George's County, is the high turnover of principals a positive or a negative?  Please explain your position. 

Higgins: Two new principals in the area Sharon Porter at Greenbelt Middle and Cheryl Logan at Parkdale High are both principals of vision and strong leadership skills.  They are actively engaged in turning things around in their respective schools and are working hard to establish a setting that provides each child with a solid education.  If the criteria that was used to select them is the same criteria used to select other principals, then change is a good thing. 

Patch: How would you fix the overcrowding at Riverdale Elementary School?

Higgins: This is a very serious issue.  The school board is currently looking into options to relieve the current overcrowding at Riverdale Elementary until the new Hyattsville Area Elementary School opens in Fall 2013.  If elected, this would be my top priority. 

Last year, the school board considered moving students to University Park Elementary to alleviate the situation but decided against at that time.  This option needs to be reconsidered, especially since Riverdale's enrollment continues to climb.

Patch: How can the board help support PTA initiatives and parent's involvement, especially when schools like University Park Elementary have a PTA that raises funds to sustain programs the district can't pay for?

Higgins: Research shows that parent involvement is a key factor to a child's academic and developmental success. Without question, PTAs, especially active PTAs, should be supported by the board and should feel supported by the board.  Given budget restrictions, board support may not be able to be monetary but there are other ways that PTAs could feel supported by and connected to the board.  If elected, I would want to know from each individual school's PTA what type of support would be important to them.