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Meeting Notes posted on this site are NOT OFFICIAL MINUTES, but can give you different perspectives of what is happening in the county. More meeting notes can be found here. Newspaper reports about meetings can often be found in Newsletter archives - a brief description and a link to the story are in weekly e-newsletters.
Oct. 27, 2006 - Surrattsville High School, Clinton, MD
14 candidates attended; some 
were write-in candidates. It was conducted by the students of Surrattsville High School.
Candidates present included: Heather Iliff (Dist 2), Katey Costello (Dist 5), Howard Stone, Ken Johnson, Ron Watson, Ken Johnson, Sherry Struther, Judy Murray write-in (Dist 3), Pat Fletcher (Dist 3), Jena Jacobs, Donna Hathaway Beck , Linda Thomas (Dist. 4), Rosalind Johnson (Dist 1), Owen Johnson (Dist 5) - from various backgrounds, level of experiences: parents, teachers, principles, one had even once served as a custodian; some were endorsed by several organizations and one claimed to have no political ties and thought since Board of Education candidates are nonpartisan that they shouldn't accept partisan support.
Absent but sent regrets: Steve Morris was ill, Gloria Lawlah was out of country.
There were many questions and answers which required them to be short & quick, so it was hard to make note of each candidate's remarks on each of the issues. Here are some comments about those issues:
Some kids are being told they're worthless or they're not worthy of college.
Parents & others in county need to attend budget hearings & superintendent needs to be held accountable.
Studies have been done about our needs, though some spoke of more studies, others said we've had enough & need to take action.
Scholarship specialists needed.
New report shows need for money.
Not enough computers for present classes & not enough classes. It could be an issue of not enough trained teachers.
There's need to prepare students for careers.
Budget process is top down & principles get a budget & need to decide. Principles don't make requests for funds in coordination with others in schools.
CCIP on PGCPS web site about buildings - we have received some funds for new buildings and there are plans for them to be built and/or they are in the process of being built.
Money from developers does not go to School Board or schools; it goes to the county government.
Board of Ed doesn't know that teachers are buying their own supplies - parents & teachers need to go to the board to inform them of problems.
Need for teacher training on site.
Waste needs to be cut.
Teacher incentives are needed. No current incentives for teachers.
$26,000 ave. disposable income in this county - we need to set our priorities as county residents.
Money recently received for renovations & air conditioning that several schools still don't have.
$3B needed for further renovations.
Students hadn't met school board members & were interested in opportunity to interact with them.
There are not enough certified teachers & there aren't enough teachers coming out of our schools.
Candidates disagreed about teachers being paid enough, but one said that teachers want to work in schools with smarter students.
Need for character education and critical thinking skills.
Schools have $1.5 B & not enough for sports programs & other things.
County school problems include being on list to be taken over by state.
Violence - self-protection was last issue discussed & there was disagreement as to whether or not students should be trained to protect themselves and what to do if someone comes in school with a gun. Some said that it shouldn't be needed, because we need to provide a safe environment for all students.
An announcement was made about the Surrattsville High School's upcoming play, "BUZZ: A One Woman Play" A play about success...and the relentless pursuit of it. Fri., Nov. 17, 2006 at 7:30 pm. $15 donation - tickets sold in advance & expected to sell out - 301-599-2453 ext. 247.
Ron Miller, candidate for State Senate was also in attendance.
Candidate literature was abundant, but here are some links to further information from them. If you're trying to learn about the Prince George's Co. Board of Education candidates to be an informed voter who's properly involved in our Democracy as a caring citizen, check these links:
Katie Costello
Donna Hathaway Beck
Heather Iliff
Owen Johnson, Jr.
Rosalind Johnson
Judy Mickens-Murray
Robin Barnes Shell
Howard Stone
Nate Thomas
Also see: Voting Issues
- submitted by Joyce Dowling
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