Over the past two years, I had the privilege of serving on the 21^st Century Schools Facilities Commission (known as the “Knott Commission”) for the State of Maryland.  This important responsibility involved coming up with solutions for the significant school construction needs in the State of Maryland, including here in Prince George’s County.

From major school overcrowding to aging and outdated buildings and technology, the condition of the school facilities where we trust our most precious resource, our babies, and the educators who teach them, often falls way short of the standards of a 21^st century school system.  The good news is that we are working to change that.  My colleagues and I on the Knott Commission have proposed a number of innovative policies for enabling our County to build more new and renovated schools smarter, faster, and more efficiently (including urging the state to invest at least $400 million annually in school construction spending).

Over the past few weeks, I have testified in Annapolis in support of legislation by District 21 Senator Jim Rosapepe and legislation by Delegates Ben Barnes, Barbara Frush, and Joseline Pena-Melnyk that would help make these recommendations a reality by leveraging public-private partnerships, enabling 21^st century building delivery methods, streamlining approvals, establishing incentives for cost efficiency, and establishing new financing options for local governments.  The Knott Commission has also offered additional legislation to implement the Commission’s recommendations.  When combined, these pieces of legislation would be game changers for the future of public education for our students, parents, and educators.  As a public school Dad, I know how difficult the decision is for many parents to choose public school.  I want to make sure that every child in our County has a great choice in their area within our public school system.  Its not good enough if I have a great school in my neighborhood, if you don’t have a great school in yours.

Do you believe in these efforts to invest in the future of our youth?  Then, sign up to volunteer in your neighborhood for my Council At-Large campaign and the Jobs First Movement for economic opportunity and public investment in the people of Prince George’s County.  We are one County and we rise together!

 

-Mel Franklin, Councilman

Candidate for Council At-Large