PGCPS Advances to Next Stage of New School Construction
Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS) and Progressive Education Partners (PEP) have reached a financial close on the PGCPS Blueprint Schools Phase II Project. This project will include the construction of eight new school facilities by 2028, including six elementary schools and two pre-kindergarten through 8th grade academies.
New school sites were selected based on the condition of existing schools and population growth in Prince George’s.
Groundbreaking ceremonies were held at several of the schools, including Landover’s Templeton Elementary and New Carrollton’s Margaret Brent Elementary.
PEP will now begin the design and building stage. Jones, Lang, and LaSalle (JLL) is the lead consultant and financial adviser on this public-private partnership.
“Blueprint Schools Phase II is an unprecedented demonstration of true collaboration across all levels of government: the Board of Education, County, County Council and the state legislature,” said PGCPS Superintendent Millard House II. “Once again, PGCPS is at the forefront of utilizing this innovative alternative delivery approach to deliver much-needed schools our students deserve, as quickly as possible.”
Highlights of Phase II include state matching funds for construction and pre-kindergarten classrooms in all schools.
All eight institutions will be delivered as net zero schools.
PEP will also be responsible for maintenance and rehabilitation for each school throughout the 30-year operating term.
While the schools in Phase 1 were all completed in the same year, these eight schools will be completed across three delivery dates in the summer of 2026, the summer of 2027, and the summer of 2028.
“Over the next four years, the second phase of Blueprint Schools will create more than 8,000 seats in eight schools across the county,” said Prince George’s County Board of Education Chair Lolita E. Walker. “These new buildings are critical, and will replace and/or rightsize 14 schools as we continue to modernize our facilities… Ensuring this plan is fully funded is one of our top priorities and is integral to the success of our scholars.”
PGCPS Office of Integrity and Compliance Talks Plans to Investigate School System
Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS) now has an office of Integrity and Compliance that will investigate waste, fraud, and abuse within the school system. The office’s Officer Frank Turner announced intentions to hold school leaders accountable at a Sep. 16 press conference alongside Prince George’s County Councilmembers Jolene Ivey (D- District 5), Wanika Fisher (D- District 2) and Sydney Harrison (D- District 9).
Turner, who has been in his current role since February, has decades of experience investigating financial crimes with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). He is planning to publish online reports with his findings and requests that whistleblowers submit information anonymously, and is hiring a new investigator for his office.
“They’ll always be confidential,” promised Turner. “The law also talks about a duty to report, and it talks about addressing that at no time will retaliation for reporting to the Office of Integrity and Compliance be tolerated, and it would be against the law as well.” The office is based in Largo and is separate from the school system’s offices in Upper Marlboro.
Turner said he spent months trying to take attention regarding former Board of Education Member David Murray’s absence at Board meetings. Murray resigned from the Board of Education in July. Turner is now planning to audit school construction contracts, following a concern raised by a Councilmember.
This office was created by a state law introduced by Senator Alonzo Washington (D- District 22) and passed last session. Washington encouraged people to participate with Turner and his efforts.
“Over the past decade, our school system has been unfortunately plagued by high-profile cases of fraud, waste and abuse, and financial mismanagement. Mismanagement causing the taxpayers millions of dollars here in Prince George’s County,” said Washington. “This is law. It’s in the best interest of our school system that our school board, our superintendent, accepts this office with open arms and works together to resolve these issues.”