From the Desk of Former Mayor Malinda Miles

It has been two years since I decided to remove myself from the political scene in Mount Rainier, MD, Prince George's County, and the State of Maryland. Holding the lofty position of Mayor was such a great honor, but as the years flew by, I realized that it was time to do something else -- get a life.! I did, and still continue to provide resources to the residents through The Front Porch Ministries (TFPM). Real people pass through The Front Porch Ministries weekly. LIFE is good.

Thursday, August 18, 2016

Termination of Prince George's County Head Start Program - County Executive Baker Speaks OUT

County Executive News

Posted on: August 18, 2016

Statement of Prince George’s County Executive Rushern L. Baker, III:

Despite Notification of Termination of the Prince George’s County Public Schools Head Start Program

Head Start Program will start on time on August 29, 2016

Upper Marlboro, MD – Prince George’s County Executive Rushern L. Baker, III released this statement following notification by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that Prince George’s County Head Start program grant has been terminated as a consequence of deficiencies that were not corrected in a timely manner:

“I am angry and extremely disappointed at the recent news that the grant for the Prince George’s County Head Start Program through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has been terminated. I have asked Dr. Maxwell to address this matter immediately and I have confidence that he and the Board of Education will ensure that the families of the 932 children in the program do not lose this valuable and important educational service. The acts that are documented in the report from Head Start are unacceptable and will not be tolerated in our school system

Head Start was designed to provide a nurturing learning environment for early learners and our school system must ensure that the students we are entrusted to protect are safe. This report demonstrates that there are teachers and other school professionals in our school system who did not understand the sacred nature of their responsibility. It is my understanding that Dr. Maxwell has dealt with them swiftly, as well as addressed this situation with the entire Prince George’s County Public Schools Head Start staff. We must rid the system of those who do not take their responsibility seriously.

As a result of this situation, I have assigned members of my senior staff to work with Prince George’s County Public Schools to resolve this matter and restore funding to this extremely critical program. I also want to assure the families in our Head Start Program that school will start on August 29 as scheduled and that your child will be nurtured and provided with an excellent head start to their education. We absolutely take the protection and care of your child as our most important duty.”

Mayor Malinda Miles

As a long-time resident of Mount Rainier and a homeowner, it is important to me that municipal government be inclusive of all of its residents. It is equally important that information be communicated through all possible channel so that residents can get involved. It is also important for residents to volunteer and serve on committees, commissions, boards and task forces. I truly believe that municipal government is the government closes to the people, and as such should be easily accessible. This BLOG is another effort to reach out to the residents of Mount Rainier.