If elected Prince George’s County executive, Angela Alsobrooks proposes to install school-based counselors in every school, increase teacher pay and provide money to renovate some of the most underserved schools.
Alsobrooks presented these and other ideas to improve public education in the county during a Facebook Live discussion Thursday, as several dozen people filled a room inside her campaign headquarters in Largo to watch her summarize her education platform.
Another recommendation she offered was schools to incorporate character education — basically, more parental involvement.
“It means we teach our children to respect their teachers and to respect each other, to develop an environment we care as much about what goes into the child’s academics into what they become as people,” the county’s state’s attorney said after the nearly hourlong chat. “The parents need to be allies and not adversaries.”
Residents have noticed plenty of Alsobrooks campaign signs throughout the county, partly because she has at least 10 times the amount of cash on hand as her opponents, campaign reports show.
She faces a now-crowded Democratic field that includes former Rep. Donna Edwards, state Sen. C. Anthony Muse; former Obama administration official Paul Monteiro and Forestville resident Lewis S. Johnson, a retiree from the U.S. Government Printing Office.
Edward and Muse have called for a change in school leadership, specifically regarding schools CEO Kevin Maxwell.
Edwards has also called for a ban permitting school officials to contribute to political campaigns and asked her opponents to do the same.
Four other Democrats — former lieutenant governor Samuel Bogley III, Billy Bridges, Michael E. Kennedy and Tommie Thompson — filed near the deadline to enter the June 26 primary. Jerry J. Mathis filed as a Republican, but the county is largely Democrat.
As for Alsobrooks, she continues to maintain her focus strictly on children’s needs, versus the political power struggle of adults.
“Every policy we put forward, will be one designed to make sure that our kids are spoken about first,” she said to the audience. “If the conversation doesn’t start with children, why are we here?”
Alsobrooks’ steadfast commitment to youths has garnered the respect of Hallie Williams, a PTA president at the Accokeek Academy.
“I worked on [late former County Executive] Wayne Curry’s campaign 20-plus years ago. It’s been status quo 16 years for me,” Williams said. “It’s too many adult issues. [Alsobrooks] is focusing on the students first. That’s more important.”
Alsobrooks plans to conduct another social media discussion this month with a focus on economic development.