Report: County Executive Seeks More Control of Public Schools

Prince George’s County Executive Rushern Baker wants to take a more active role in the county’s public education system.

Baker thinks he has the solution to fix the county school system, and is pushing for legislation that would give him more control over the Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS) budget and superintendent hiring process, reports NBC4.

"My proposal is an effort to make our schools stronger by using all the resources the County government has to offer so that our children and families have the tools they need to be successful,” said Baker in a statement, according to NBC 4. 

Baker told the news station that his plan would give the superintendent more autonomy and the school system more resources. 

Currently, PGCPS's budget is managed by a nine-member elected Board of Education. 

PGCPS are currently interviewing three finalists for the superintendent of schools position. The position was vacated last year when former superintendent William Hite left after six years in the position to take the top education job with the Philadelphia school system. The school system has had five different superintendents in the past ten years.