Monthly Archives: January 2022

31

Jan. ’22

PGCPS Student Arrested in council candidate’s carjacking, D.C. police say

Washington DC: (Reform Sasscer) – A PGCPS student and a teenager from Prince George’s County, Maryland has been arrested and charged in connection with the carjacking of a candidate for the D.C. Council, police said Sunday.

The male 17-year-old from District Heights was charged with robbery in connection with an incident in which a car was taken from Nate Fleming on Jan. 15 in the 4200 block of Nannie Helen Burroughs Avenue NE, according to D.C. police.

In the carjacking, police said, Two of the four individuals jumped out of a minivan, and one of them pointed a gun at Fleming as he demanded Fleming’s keys. After handing them over, the one suspect drove off with Fleming’s vehicle and the others left in the minivan. Footage of the carjacking was captured by the gas station’s security camera and published online:

Following his arrest, he has been charged with multiple charges including carrying a pistol without a license, unauthorized use of a vehicle and possession of an unregistered firearm. He was later charged with robbery after a subsequent investigation by the Metropolitan Police Department’s Carjacking Task Force. Fleming is running for an at-large seat.

In an interview with the press following the arrest, Fleming said the rise in carjackings — and of juvenile crime in the District — is partly a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

“In 2020, there was 153% increase in carjackings from the previous year. And then, in 2021, there was an 18% increase from that. So I would have to attribute it, to some degree, to the pandemic,” Fleming said.

“Two-thirds of these crimes are being done by juveniles … I think it speaks to the disengagement that many young people have, given the emergency and the pandemic, among a host of other factors.

“Young people aren’t being engaged all day. Young people are not being provided with economic opportunities,” Fleming said.

“I think the combination of those two factors and the lack of engagement with caring adults and things that are productive, that disconnection and just a general lack of economic opportunities, particularly for young people, and those of lower economic socio economic status as a result of the pandemic have led to the rise of carjackings.”

Fleming, who grew up only a few blocks from where his carjacking occurred, said many of the things he benefited from growing up are simply not available for today’s youth.

“I was always involved with high-quality after-school programs that brought caring adults into our lives. We have to make sure that we put the resources and the infrastructure in place so that every young person in this city has access to a high-quality after-school opportunities of their choice, regardless of their ability to pay,” he said.

“I participated in the Police Boys and Girls Clubs growing up, playing a lot of sports and being engaged in a lot of enriching activities. We don’t have that program anymore. That’s something I propose to bring back, because I think that’s essential in improving community-police relations, particularly among young people in having the network of Metropolitan Police Boys and Girls Clubs.”

When asked what he hoped for the 17-year-old boy arrested Friday for the carjacking, Fleming said, “The judge is the person who has to make the decision about the young man’s fate and his path. I would like this young man to eventually become a productive member of society. I think that’s all of our goals.

“As it relates to the broader issue of juvenile sentencing. I certainly hope to become a member of the D.C. Council, because that’s a decision that we as a community have to make. The mayor, the council, the Attorney General, the community residents, we all have to partake in that discussion.”

In a news release, D.C. police made no mention of the other individuals involved with Fleming’s carjacking, but said that the case is still under investigation.

Anyone who has knowledge of this incident is asked to contact police at 202-727-9099, or text tips to 50411.

Police said they are still investigating.

Carjackings have been occurring in the District at an increasing rate and represent a major law enforcement problem.

In Prince George’s County, at least 10 juveniles were killed last year in Prince George’s County, Maryland which was the worst year for teen violence since 2008.

County Executive Alsobrooks has implored the community to come together to “disrupt the cycle of violence that is growing again.”

According to Alsobrooks, for example, there have been 162 carjackings in Prince George’s County. She acknowledged on Tuesday first half of January and said that juveniles are responsible for 96 of them.

“And so this tells us a lot about where we’re headed. And we must do something right now to disrupt it,” Alsobrooks said.

Dr. Monica Goldson a CEO for PGCPS who was selected through public corruption has never spoken publicly about the out of control fights and public corruption sweeping quietly through the school system. These willful violations include closing down schools ready for real estate option, paying off lawyers, siphoning money off to friends and family etc. Prince George’s county citizens must raise up and demand answers without delay. These out of control fights and other purposeful disregard are not fair to county residents, their families and United States.

To be effective, violence prevention programs require community-wide collaborative efforts led by school system leader that include students, families, teachers, administrators, staff, social and mental health professionals, law enforcement, emergency response personnel, security professionals, school board members, parents and the businesses. The school system leader takes an active role to effect change and not hide in the closet and wish these problems away. Dr. Monica Goldson “Goldson” has failed to provide proper leadership and it’s time for her to go due to corrupt leadership style!

A still from surveillance video released by Washington, D.C.’s Metropolitan Police Department shows a suspect point a gun at Nate Fleming before stealing his car.  (Metropolitan Police Department)

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Read more >>>Prince George’s County father speaks out after PGCPS teenage son shoots, kills mother, brother

>>> PGCPS Student charged with manslaughter in fatal shooting of 16-year-old in Oxon Hill area, police say

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31

Jan. ’22

Maryland’s General Assembly considering changes to juvenile justice system

The Maryland State House. Photo by Danielle E. Gaines.

By Hannah Gaskill

Jabriera Handy told lawmakers that she was coerced into confessing to second-degree murder when she was a teenager so that her case would be heard in juvenile court.

Her grandmother suffered a heart attack and died during an argument with Handy. She was charged with second-degree murder and first- and second-degree assault and was automatically placed into the adult criminal court system.

She was a junior in high school.

“During that time, as a 16-year-old child, I had not thought that an argument could have caused the death or caused harm to anyone besides, you know, when you say, ‘Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me,” she told the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee during a briefing Thursday.

Handy spent 11 months in an adult jail. She recalled for the committee humiliating experiences: Her first interaction with an incarcerated adult was in the shower — she said the woman was on drugs. In another instance, Handy, naked, was made to squat and cough in front of guards and other incarcerated people while menstruating.

After two failed waiver hearings, her case was finally passed down to juvenile court only after she confessed that she was responsible for her grandmother’s death. Handy was then sent to a juvenile facility where she received therapeutic services.

Her experience in the criminal justice system isn’t unique, but two bills introduced by Sen. Jill P. Carter (D-Baltimore City) and heard by the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee this week could change what proceedings look like for minors in the future:

  • The Juvenile Interrogation Protection Act, or Senate Bill 53, would require that police officers contact a child’s legal guardian and allow them to consult with an attorney before being interrogated; And
  • Senate Bill 165 would mandate that defendants under 18 — regardless of their alleged offense — enter the criminal justice system through the juvenile courts.

Hearings on the House cross-files of the bills — House Bill 269 and House Bill 294 — are scheduled for next week and the following week, respectively.

Under current law, there are more than two dozen offenses that can land minors in the adult court system, including rape, murder, carjacking and firearms offenses.

Right now, those cases can be waived down to juvenile court, but the burden is on a minor’s defense attorney to prove why adult criminal court is not the right setting.

And there are racial patterns in which cases get waived down to the juvenile system, where rehabilitation is the focus, rather than punishment.

According to Jenny Egan, a juvenile public defender in Baltimore, 94% of white children’s cases are transferred from criminal to juvenile court compared to 22% of Black children.

“We know that Black youth are arrested at higher rates, charged at higher rates and incarcerated at higher rates [and] sentenced more punitively than white youth even though white youth self-report offending at a higher rate,” she said.

The proposed legislation does not preclude minors facing charges for violent crimes from being tried in criminal court but would shift the burden to the state to prove why the case should be waived up, leaving the decision in the hands of a juvenile court judge.

The bill is based on a recommendation of the Juvenile Justice Reform Council, which was formed in 2019 to study inequities and deficiencies in the juvenile court system.

The council’s remaining recommendations will be presented before the General Assembly as an omnibus bill this session.

According to Sam Abed, the secretary of the Department of Juvenile Services, charges pressed against minors for violent and other crimes have been on the decline in the past decade, consistent with national trends.

According to Egan, in 1995, 25% of homicides were committed by minors.

“Last year, it was less than 5% — statewide — of homicides being committed by young people — by children,” she said.

Committee Republicans found this hard to believe, pointing to the slight uptick in homicides in Baltimore which has seen more than 300 murders annually since 2015.

Sen. Robert G. Cassilly (R-Harford) pushed back against Abed, saying that less charges are being pursued against minors by the police and Baltimore City State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby (D).

“Would it be reasonable to expect that juveniles are behaving more saintly than the rest of the population when it comes to crime?” Cassilly asked. “What you’re saying is, people over 18 are on a murder spree that has Baltimore at record murder rates and people under 18 have become angelic for some unknown reason over the last eight years.”

Abed responded that the reduction in complaints against young people has been “impressive.”

“I think there’s a marked change in the behavior of kids, absolutely,” he replied.

Via Maryland Matters

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31

Jan. ’22

Bomb threats made to multiple HBCUs including Bowie State, Howard

Police respond to Bowie State University’s Charlotte Robinson Hall on Jan. 31, 2022, amid a bomb threat. 

At least six historically black colleges and universities received bomb threats Monday morning, disrupting campus operations and launching police investigations. Southern University and A&M, Howard University, Bethune-Cookman University, Albany State University, Bowie State University and Delaware State University all received bomb threats this morning, according to campus spokespeople or social media posts.

Around Washington DC area, Law enforcement are investigating bomb threats targeting two of the D.C. region’s historically Black universities.

Police responded to Maryland’s Bowie State University, D.C.’s Howard University and several other historically Black colleges and universities around the country for bomb threats made early Monday — less than a month after many of the same schools fielded similar threats, all determined to be hoaxes.

An emergency alert from Bowie State continues to advise anyone on campus to shelter-in-place until further notice, and said all classes had changed to virtual learning for the day.

“Bowie State University this morning received information from Prince George’s County Police of a bomb threat indicating that explosives had been placed in academic building on the campus,” BSU said in a statement. “All threats of this nature are taken seriously and fully investigated. The campus has been closed for the day with classes and university offices operating virtually.”

Images from Bowie State showed police activity centered around Charlotte Robinson Hall. The Maryland State Fire Marshal said its bomb technicians and explosives detection units were assisting campus security with building sweeps.

MARC’s Penn Line will bypass Bowie State Station until after 1 p.m. due to the ongoing investigation.

Howard University said D.C. and campus police responded to a bomb threat made by phone around 4:30 a.m. Monday, naming the area near the Mordecai Wyatt Johnson Administration Building. No threats were found, Howard later added, and an all-clear was given.

The fate of the other historically black colleges and universities remains unknown.

A sign welcomes people to the Howard University campus in this this July 2021 file photo.

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30

Jan. ’22

Paul Bonner: The Absurdity of Testing Kindergartners

Paul Bonner, who recently retired as a principal in Alabama, wrote the following comment as part of a discussion of administering NAEP to kindergartners. 

He wrote:

One of the experiences that made me aware that my time with public education was coming to an end was when our district began testing kindergartners. I would walk into kindergarten classrooms and watch students struggle and often cry over the inability to navigate iPads. I would leave those classrooms shaken to the core. The students who could work with the devices were not making decisions about correct answers but through simply getting the program to move from question to question. Almost none of these students could understand what the test was asking them to do. This angered me significantly because what we were focusing on ignored the activities that were needed to build an actual foundational developmental standard. No focus on gross and fine motor skill development or social and emotional growth. No test below third grade will give us meaningful understanding of what children actually know and that really is beside the point. The poor quality of most of the tests I have seen keep us from understanding what those form third grade through twelve understand! What we are doing to children, or being asked to do, is criminal and a denial of how the brain can get to a point of meaningful inquiry. The fact that people who have no experience with child development and have done no meaningful study of the early brain, provides further evidence that our society and polity has no appreciation for the professional approach required to raise children to become successful adults. It just seems to be getting worse. I am absolutely appalled to see another presidential administration and the plethora of state governments that refuse to see the damage they are doing. This predatory capitalism that has so infected education, and all of governance, just might result in the same effect led poisoning had on Rome.

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29

Jan. ’22

PGCPS students, staff weigh in on plan to consolidate alternative schools

Prince George’s Co. students, staff weigh in on plan to consolidate alternative schools

By Kate Ryan: Vivian Sandoval, a graduate of one of Prince George’s County’s five alternative high schools, says attending the program at Community Based Classroom High School in Bladensburg, Maryland, saved her life.

In tearful testimony, Sandoval told board members she now has an associate degree and works as an accountant at a law firm. She’s in the process of buying her own home.

“Without Community Based Classroom, the life I have now would not exist,” she told board members Thursday.

Under the FY 2023 proposed school budget, the allocations for two schools, Tall Oaks and CBC, were cut. As part of what’s referred to as a “redesign” in budget documents, the five alternative schools would be consolidated into two high schools and a middle school.

Sandoval said when she first started attending CBC, her life “was a mess.” She already had one daughter and was pregnant with her second child when she enrolled.

“CBC took the time to work with me and my daughter,” Sandoval said.

When she had trouble getting transportation, the school helped out, she said. If she missed a class, she got a visit from a staff member at her home. “They refused to give up on me.”

Zena Whitworth, an English teacher at CBC, said the school is called the “second chances high school,” created to help students ages 16-21 gain the credits they need to graduate.

Students at CBC have experienced a number of challenges before enrolling, Whitworth said.

“You know this is a kid who probably went ninth and 10th grade and messed up after that. Or, they messed up in their ninth- and 10th-grade years, finally got it together in 11th and 12th and then they realized” that they don’t have enough credits Whitworth said.

By the time they get to CBC, students are highly motivated.

“We have a 95% graduation rate. We have a 93% attendance rate, and 100% of the students are thriving,” despite past challenges said, Whitworth.

Dr. Monica Goldson, CEO for Prince George’s County schools, is proposing a $2.6 billion budget for FY 2023.

According to a Prince George’s County schools statement on the budget released in December, the budget reflects the Board of Education’s priorities and “addresses strategies for closing funding shortfalls based on the nearly 9,000-student gap in projected and actual enrollment.”

A Prince George’s County Public Schools’ presentation on the budget calls the move to consolidate the five schools “critical” because it will “enhance student connections to comprehensive schools.” The plan would also, according to the document, save $2.5 million in general funding.

There are two more public hearings before the Board of Education, one on Feb. 3 and one on Feb. 10.

A vote on the proposed budget by the Board of Education is scheduled for Feb. 24.

Via WTOP

Read more >>>Prince George’s County father speaks out after PGCPS teenage son shoots, kills mother, brother

Read more >>> Pr. George’s School Board Chair Hangs on for Now as Public Corruption advances

The Prince George’s County Public Schools headquarters in Upper Marlboro.

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29

Jan. ’22

Prince George’s County Council Special Election Gets Last-Minute Write-in Candidate

Ebony Sunala Johnson, an Air Force veteran and Howard University School of Law graduate, will run as a write-in candidate.

By William J. Ford: Edward Burroughs III, the former Prince George’s County school board member who won decisively earlier this month in a special primary election for the county council’s District 8 seat, will now face a challenger in Tuesday’s special general election.

Ebony Sunala Johnson, an Air Force veteran and Howard University School of Law graduate, will run as a write-in candidate.

According to the county Board of Elections, Johnson’s name won’t appear on the ballot because she missed a Jan. 4 deadline to present a petition with the required number of signatures. A snowstorm hit the D.C. region the day before.

The seat was vacated in November by Monique Anderson-Walker, who resigned to focus on the Maryland gubernatorial primary as the running mate of Comptroller Peter Franchot.

The district with 55,699 registered Democrats includes Fort Washington, Oxon Hill and the National Harbor.

Burroughs, 29, of Temple Hills, received nearly 5,100 votes against five other candidates. Second-place finisher Tony Knotts, a former County Council member and Maryland state delegate, garnered nearly 1,100 votes.

Burroughs, who served on the school board for more than 10 years, works as legislative affairs director in the office of State’s Attorney Aisha Braveboy.

Johnson, a resident of Fort Washington and an unaffiliated candidate, acknowledged Burroughs’ standing as a county native and his longtime service on the school board.

“But this is a legislative position. I encourage voters to build the best team to win,” she said Friday while handing out campaign postcards to residents. “We are looking for someone to interpret the law and understand who knows how to read the laws. I do it exceptionally well and I would do it well for the county.”

Johnson said her main priorities for the district if elected include:

• Improving safety on roads and highways such as Route 210 (Indian Head Highway) and address lack of sidewalks in residential neighborhoods.

• Assessing public school spending (the county council approves a final budget that includes education).
• Addressing blight and empty storefronts with existing shopping centers to boost economic development.

Johnson, who’s been practicing law for 14 years, currently works as an associate general counsel for the D.C.-based Consumer Banking Association. She served as president of a homeowner’s association in Palmer Park.

But this represents Johnson’s first foray into politics.

“If you’re happy with how you’ve been represented so far, then prioritize that,” she said. “If you want someone who is highly competent and dedicated not for political aspirations, or personally gain, just to do a solid for the community, then you look for that.”

Although Burroughs easily won the Democratic nomination, he’s encouraging District 8 residents to vote again.

“If you have a ballot at home, please go vote for your Democratic nominee,” he said Friday.

Early voting continues until Sunday with drop-off boxes at four locations. In-person voting can be done at the Southern Regional Technology and Recreational Complex in Fort Washington from noon to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and from noon to 6 p.m. Sunday.

Ballots can also be mailed but must be postmarked by Tuesday.

Although unofficial voting results are slated to be posted online Tuesday night, the county’s elections office isn’t scheduled to certify results until Feb. 11.

Because Anderson-Walker’s term didn’t expire until December 2022, prospective candidates can run in the June 28 primary and then in the general election Nov. 8.

Via Washington Informer

 Prince George’s County council redistricting map drew the ire of critics who say it would thwart progressive candidates, council members have proposed a new map shown here.

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28

Jan. ’22

Prince George’s County father speaks out after PGCPS teenage son shoots, kills mother, brother

A Clinton, Maryland father who was shot by his own son spoke out from the hospital bed. Prince George’s County Police say the 15-year-old shooter is now behind bars after killing his mom and brother inside their own home.

PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY, Md: (Reform Sasscer) – A Clinton, Maryland father who was shot by his own son (a Prince George’s county public schools (PGCPS) student) is speaking out from the hospital bed. Prince George’s County Police say the 15-year-old shooter is now behind bars after killing his mom and brother inside their own home.

Reform Sasscer secretariat spoke exclusively with the suspect’s dad, James Oxley, on the phone after he got out of surgery. Mr. Oxley says his son shot him twice in his forearm and right side of his stomach.

“I just heard these Boom, Boom and I thought it was the TV and I look to my right and I noticed my son advancing while shooting my wife across the room then he shot my 8-year-old then. I realized what was happening, and I jumped up to confront him, and he turned the gun and shot me twice,” said Oxley. “I saw the gun went empty, and he threw it down, and I chased him to the front door and I grabbed him, but I couldn’t grab my right hand because it was broken.”

Mr. Oxley is a United States Army Reserve member, real estate agent and pastor.

He says when his son ran out the door, he dialed 911 and tried to render aid to his wife, 44-year-old Taledia Oxley, and son, 8-year-old Asa Oxley, but they didn’t make it.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: 15-year-old family member arrested in killing of Clinton mother, 8-year-old son

A neighbor gave the press a surveillance video showing when Prince George’s County Police found the 15-year-old suspect in the neighborhood after the deadly shooting that happened just before 6 p.m. on Wendy Street in Clinton, Maryland.

Mr. Oxley says his two-year-old daughter was asleep on the floor while the violence was unfolding and his 19-year-old son was upstairs in his room. Both of them are alive and staying with their grandma.

Mr. Oxley says his son’s name is Israel Oxley and he is a student at Frederick Douglass High School. Police have charged him with first and second-degree murder, first and second-degree attempted murder and other related charges.

Neighbors like Myra Marquez say it just shows you never know what’s going on behind closed doors.

“They were actually really good people, they really stayed to themselves. You didn’t hear a lot from them. The kids were not rambunctious running through the neighborhood, so it’s just unfortunate that this happened. I know they have a long road ahead of them,” said Marquez.

Police are still investigating the motive as to why this 15-year-old allegedly turned violent on his own family.

Mr. Oxley tells the press that back in October 2021, his son threatened to kill him with a knife and officers responded to the home. After that, his son was sent to stay with his grandma.

They just let him move back home again after Thanksgiving with restrictions such as limiting his cell phone and internet use. His father thinks that made his teenager was upset and on top of that, he adds his son was hanging out with the wrong crowd.

“These drugs that these kids are getting on is getting on their state of mind, their social media, they’re hanging out with their friends. If there’s an issue, get it addressed right away. I mean, we tried to get it addressed right away, but didn’t seem like we could get the right help,” said Oxley.

Mr. Oxley says the gun used in the domestic tragedy was registered to him. He forgives his son but wants him to be held responsible.

Yesterday, another PGCPS student was shot and killed. A 15-year-old girl and a student in Prince George’s county public schools (PGCPS) was arrested and charged with manslaughter and related charges in what authorities say was an accidental fatal shooting of a 16-year-old boy, Prince George’s County police said Thursday.

At least 10 juveniles were killed last year in Prince George’s County, Maryland which was the worst year for teen violence since 2008.

County Executive Alsobrooks has implored the community to come together to “disrupt the cycle of violence that is growing again.”

According to Alsobrooks, for example, there have been 162 carjackings in Prince George’s County. She acknowledged on or around Tuesday January 11th and said that juveniles are responsible for 96 of them.

“And so this tells us a lot about where we’re headed. And we must do something right now to disrupt it,” Alsobrooks said.

Dr. Monica Goldson a CEO for PGCPS who was selected through public corruption has never spoken publicly about the out of control fights and public corruption sweeping quietly through the school system. These willful violations include closing down schools ready for real estate option, paying off lawyers, siphoning money off to friends and family etc. Prince George’s county citizens must raise up and demand answers without delay. These out of control fights and other purposeful disregard are not fair to county residents, their families and United States. It’s time for Dr. Monica Goldson “Goldson” to go!

Read more >>>Major Drama as Fights Break Out at Suitland High School and others.

Dr. Monica Goldson is the most scandal-ridden politician CEO in PGCPS history. This is her soft underbelly. Those who’ve joined her and others protecting her shenanigan have many corrupt skeletons in their cupboards. We will expose ALL in the coming weeks. They are going to wish they never joined politics. Watch this space. As a CEO for PGCPS, she was selected through public corruption and has never spoken publicly about the out of control fights and public corruption sweeping quietly through the school system as a corrupt leader. She is also not responsive to parents needs and many are being blackballed within the system affecting parents, teachers and students due to retaliation.

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28

Jan. ’22

US Education chief: ‘We must make up for lost time’ in schools

Education Secretary Miguel Cardona

Education Secretary Miguel Cardona said Thursday that the nation’s schools must act more urgently to help millions of students who have fallen behind during the pandemic. “We must make up for lost time,” he said.

Striving to keep schools open is no longer enough, Cardona said in a speech laying out his priorities. He urged schools to use billions of dollars in federal aid to expand tutoring and mental health counseling, and to close achievement gaps that have worsened during the coronavirus pandemic.

The goal is to make schools stronger than they were before, he said, seeing a “chance for a reset in education.”

“Despite our country being in the midst of a surge, I know our children cannot wait any longer,” Cardona said from the department’s headquarters. “They have suffered enough, and this is our moment.”

He took a harder edge on the question of school closures, which are seen as a political liability for Democrats given the mounting frustration among parents. Most schools have remained open during the spread of the omicron variant, but scattered closures have roiled some communities.

“Safely reopening schools is the baseline, but it’s not good enough,” Cardona said. “We must make up for lost time.”

He said schools should now turn their full focus toward helping students recover, especially those from groups that faced education inequities even before the pandemic.

As a start, he urged all schools to provide at least 30 minutes of tutoring three days a week for every student who has fallen behind. He said schools should aim to double the number of counselors, social workers and mental health workers in their buildings — a goal previously set by President Joe Biden.

The education secretary said schools should be able to achieve those goals using federal dollars from Biden’s American Rescue Plan, which sent $130 billion to the nation’s schools last year.

Most schools have barely dipped into that pool, however, and many are still deciding how to use it before a spending deadline in late 2024. Biden last week voiced frustration with how slowly the money is being spent. “Use it” was his message for states and schools.

Cardona said the money should go out now for more counselors and other staff members.

He asked schools to look beyond the pandemic even as some continue to face disruption caused by COVID-19. The omicron variant has led to waves of teacher absences in some areas, leaving some too short-staffed to stay open. Teachers unions caution that the problem will only worsen as exhausted educators quit or retire.

Cardona, a former teacher himself, said teachers need to be paid more and treated with “the respect and the dignity they deserve.” The White House has proposed federal money to support pay increases, but Cardona said it’s up to states and districts to give teachers a livable wage.

“It’s on us to make sure education jobs are ones that educators don’t want to leave,” he said.

Looking to Congress, Cardona pressed for passage of several key provisions of Biden’s education plan, including an increase in Title I funding for low-income schools, more money for special education and universal preschool. All three have been tangled up in political deadlock in Washington.

In higher education, Cardona’s priorities center on student debt. So far, the Biden administration has erased $15 billion in debt for borrowers in certain programs, and it recently relaxed the rules for the troubled Public Service Loan Forgiveness program.

In December, Biden also extended a pause on student loan payments through May 1, a move meant to help millions of borrowers put off loan payments during the pandemic. Cardona said today’s burden of student debt is “unacceptable” and that “no one should be forced to make a payment they can’t afford.”

He did not say whether the administration will pursue wider debt cancellation. Biden has faced mounting pressure from progressive Democrats to forgive huge swaths of student debt. More than 80 lawmakers sent a letter on Tuesday calling for the cancellation of $50,000 in student debt for every borrower.

Nearly a year ago, the White House said it would study the legality of such a move, and Biden previously said he would support erasing up to $10,000 per borrower through legislation. The administration has yet to issue a public decision on the issue.

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28

Jan. ’22

Pr. George’s School Board Chair Hangs on for Now as Public Corruption advances

The Prince George’s County Public Schools headquarters in Upper Marlboro.

Upper Marlboro, Md: (Reform Sasscer) – A petition that sought to remove the head of the Prince George’s County Board of Education has been dismissed, though it is expected to be re-filed soon.

Six members of the county school board, along with some county residents, had filed the request to remove Board Chair Juanita D. Miller with the State Board of Education in July 2021, after tensions on the board reached a high due to high level public corruption advanced by current CEO Dr. Goldson.

In an order sent to school officials on Wednesday, State Board of Education President Clarence C. Crawford wrote that the request had been dismissed because it wasn’t properly filed.

State law requires a petition for removal to include a detailed affidavit with specific details describing actions that could constitute a ground for removal from office. The petition filed by the board and community members did not include an affidavit, so was required by state law to be dismissed, Crawford wrote.

The petition was dismissed without prejudice, which means it can be re-filed. On Wednesday, the complainants said they were planning to re-file the petition soon.

The standard for removing school board members is high, requiring petitions to prove misconduct in office, immorality, incompetence, willful neglect of duty, or failure to attend meetings.

In the petition, board members said Miller had a continual pattern of making unilateral decisions on behalf of the board and that her behavior interfered with the board’s ability to function.

“I trust that our Board will now move forward with more collegiality and student driven issues in carrying out our fiduciary responsibilities,” Miller said in a brief emailed statement to the press on Wednesday.

Progressive members elected to the school board and Miller, who was appointed to her position by County Executive Angela D. Alsobrooks (D), have repeatedly clashed during Miller’s tenure due to public corruption which is ongoing fiasco.

A task force empaneled to explore potential changes in the structure of the school board has tentatively recommended doing away with the board’s four appointed members.

‘Enough is enough’

Members of the General Assembly and other county leaders as recently as last year said, they were fed up with the school board’s clashes and the never-ending battles between Miller and the elected members. (She once referred to her younger colleagues in an interview as “the children.”)

They say privately that they regard the board as a whole to be an embarrassment for Prince George’s county and a poor example for students.

Although there is talk of yet another change to the board’s structure (currently, four members are appointed and nine are elected, along with one student member), there is no guarantee that the General Assembly will approve any proposal that is put forward due to public corruption behind the scenes. Any changes that are adopted would likely take months or years to implement due to conflicts of interests involving some of the elected officials in the county.

To resolve the bad blood in the short term, several county leaders had concluded last year that outside help was warranted but it is not enough due to the CEO Dr. Monica Goldson driving the very corruption herself.

“Enough is enough,” one member of the legislative delegation said recently.

Alsobrooks has met with individual members multiple times. But, in an interview with the press last year, she said she lacks the power to force the warring factions to settle their differences and behave professionally. Since that time, a former Board member Mr. Edward Burroughs III from District 8 has since resigned and elected to become a new council member.

Some of the public corruption highlighted was part of the ethics committee’s allegation that board members voted to expand a “$500,000 Construction Contract” with the Laborers International Union of North America (LiUNA) without disclosing campaign contributions that some members received from the organization.

The agreement was cast as an attempt to steer contracts to union-approved firms and there are many other violations which are being covered up. This is just a tip of the iceberg.

History will remember some of these corrupt leaders in a FOOTNOTE, as one of those citizenry who TRANSFORMED from a progressive activists to a MISERABLE PUPPETS for a tyrannical regime.

Their EPITAH will read: “Here Lies a man or woman who had the opportunity to be great but chose his or her BELLY.

Like the colleagues with whom she has feuded in recent past, Miller appeared weary of the whole thing.

“This is not what I signed up for,” she told the press recently.

Read more >>> PGCPS Student charged with manslaughter in fatal shooting of 16-year-old in Oxon Hill area, police say

Dr. Monica Goldson is the most scandal-ridden politician CEO in PGCPS history. This is her soft underbelly. Those who’ve joined her and others protecting her shenanigan have many corrupt skeletons in their cupboards. We will expose ALL in the coming weeks. They are going to wish they never joined politics. Watch this space. As a CEO for PGCPS, she was selected through public corruption and has never spoken publicly about the out of control fights and public corruption sweeping quietly through the school system as a corrupt leader. She is also not responsive to parents needs and many are being blackballed within the system affecting parents, teachers and students due to retaliation.
The Prince George’s County Public Schools headquarters in Upper Marlboro.

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27

Jan. ’22

Parents invited to speak at PGCPS board meeting this Thursday (tonight)

The Prince George’s County Public Schools headquarters in Upper Marlboro.

PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY, MD: (Reform Sasscer) — The Prince George’s County Board of Education (PGCPS) is set to hold a meeting tonight Thursday and one of the topics will likely be the closing down of Tall Oaks High school for special Education students.

Parents and even Prince George’s County residents are still upset about the closing down of these special schools and the public corruption being advanced by current political leaders in plain view. Call your elected leaders now and the media.

Here is the change.org petition:

https://www.change.org/p/prince-george-s-county-board-of-education-save-community-based-classroom-alternative-high-school-now?fbclid=IwAR2-Dqbyn01zmDhzIUEFnH80usEZmmy3r4kckhQsjjmjod7z93BJ_qp7aj8

This is the news article: 

https://www.fox5dc.com/video/1023246?fbclid=IwAR0HavZmRzy_G2_hPlhBH9ik7vTc924LOtHndHZiEPCnpk6QjigmMOk2QJY

The link for tonight’s zoom: 

FY2023 Operating Budget(Tall Oak High School) Public Hearing

January 27, 2022 at 7:00PM

Please click the link below to join the webinar:

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88581726868?pwd=cE9FMG5ZS3U3V2NWYTdhc00rUUxOZz09

Passcode: 371489

Or One tap mobile :

    US: +13017158592,,88581726868#,,,,*371489#  or +13126266799,,88581726868#,,,,*371489#

Or Telephone:

    Dial(for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location):

        US: +1 301 715 8592  or +1 312 626 6799  or +1 646 876 9923  or +1 669 900 6833  or +1 253 215 8782  or +1 346 248 7799

Webinar ID: 885 8172 6868

Passcode: 371489

    International numbers available: https://us06web.zoom.us/u/kchLmncHHg

Dr. Monica Goldson is the most scandal-ridden politician CEO in PGCPS history. This is her soft underbelly. Those who’ve joined her and others protecting her shenanigan have many corrupt skeletons in their cupboards. We will expose ALL in the coming weeks. They are going to wish they never joined politics. Watch this space. As a CEO for PGCPS, she was selected through public corruption and has never spoken publicly about the out of control fights and public corruption sweeping quietly through the school system as a corrupt leader. She is also not responsive to parents needs and many are being blackballed within the system affecting teachers, parents and students due to retaliation.

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