Strategic Realignment Workgroup: Aligning Resources for a Stronger Future

The Prince George’s County Board of Education has launched a 90-day Strategic Realignment Workgroup to examine how the district can better align resources, strengthen its financial foundation, and sustain high-quality academic experiences for all students. 

Established in response to current fiscal realities — including enrollment-driven funding shifts  and the need for a more strategic, long-term approach to resource allocation and revenue generation — the Workgroup brings together educators, parents, union partners, business leaders, and government representatives in a shared commitment to transparent, collaborative problem-solving.

Purpose Statement: To develop a transparent, data-driven strategy that aligns the district’s resources with its current fiscal realities while protecting and advancing student outcomes. As part of this effort, the workgroup will evaluate how the district’s existing academic and specialty programs can be sustained, strengthened, and strategically aligned within the current financial environment.

Who’s at the Table?

The Strategic Realignment Focus Work Group is composed of a spectrum of stakeholders, including school board representatives, parents, administrators, union leaders, and local business owners. `.

1.  District and Board Representation

Each school board district is represented by a specific individual appointed to the workgroup.

2. PGCPS Administration

• Dr. Shawn Joseph: Interim Superintendent.
• Dr. Deann Collins: Chief of Staff.
• Dr. Douglas Strader: Administrative Representative.
• Dr. Dana Edwards: Chief of Human Resources.
• Ms. Lisa Howell: Chief of Finance.
• Dr. Jaime Bowers: Director of Testing, Research, and Evaluation.
• Dr. Kevin Kendrick: Administrative Representative.

3. Professional Associations and Unions

• ASASP (Association of Supervisory and Administrative School Personnel):
• Jeffrey Parker (Executive Director), Felecia Colbert (Treasurer), and Principals Dr. David Curry, Michelle Towles Monroe, and Jewel Preston.
• PGCEA (Prince George's County Educators' Association):
• Dr. Donna Christy (President) and several classroom teachers: Nick Schmitz, Arnett Jones, Zahava Johnson, Kara Robinson, Wilbert Brinson, and Sunta Harris.
• SEIU Local 400:
• Kelvin Pinkney (President), Trent Holmes, and Roosevelt Limes.
• AFSCME-Local 2250:
• Essence Herndon (President), Kristina Bailey (Executive Director), Sharonda Green-Huggins (School Secretary), and Ronald Williams (Food Services Manager).

4. Community and Legislative Stakeholders

• Maryland Delegation: Senator Alonzo Washington 
• Prince George's Chamber of Commerce:
• Alexander Austin (President & CEO)
• Business leaders including Corey Jones, Jr. (First Choice Construction), Jeimy Florina (Salon 809), Candi Dailey (Potomac Hospitality), and William Lash (Charity Capital Consulting).

Why this work matters

This effort is grounded in a clear challenge: balancing fiscal realities with academic excellence. Like districts nationwide, PGCPS is experiencing enrollment shifts driven by declining birth rates and changes in migration. These trends directly impact funding, with projected enrollment declines carrying significant financial implications.

The Workgroup’s approach is focused and intentional: by closely reviewing current spending and identifying new, sustainable revenue streams, the district can better align resources to its highest priorities while protecting the quality of programs and services for students.

What the Workgroup is doing

Operating on a 90-day timeline, the Workgroup is conducting a deep dive into district finances, including expenditures, staffing models, program investments, and school utilization. 

Three subcommittees are leading this work:

• Fiscal Review & Resource Alignment
• Revenue & Sustainability
• Stakeholder Engagement & Policy Recommendations

Early discussions have focused on key questions: How do we align funding with priorities like student achievement, literacy, and special education? How can we sustain specialty programs? Where are there opportunities to streamline operations and reinvest strategically?

Materials reviewed at the Monday, March 30 meeting include:

• Work Group's Purpose, Scope of Work, Theory of Change and Roadmap
• Student Enrollment in Prince George's County
• PGCPS FY26 Financial Review
• The Path Forward

View the March 30 Workgroup meeting

What’s next

The next phase includes stakeholder engagement through listening sessions with staff, families, and community members. These insights will inform both interim recommendations (expected in May) and a final report outlining actionable strategies for resource alignment, revenue generation, and long-term sustainability.

This work represents an opportunity to rethink how we use resources, strengthen partnerships, and ensure PGCPS remains positioned to serve students well into the future.

View upcoming Board of Education and Workgroup meetings and access meeting materials here. 

Questions about the workgroup? micah.mcmillian@pgcps.org